Plan a Trip to Tahiti: Costs, Islands & a Real 7-Day Itinerary

I planned my first Tahiti trip the wrong way. I booked Bora Bora first because that is what everyone does, then realized I had burned most of my budget on five nights and had nothing left for Moorea, which turned out to be the island I loved most. This guide exists so you do not make that mistake.

The Islands of Tahiti, officially French Polynesia, span 118 islands across an area the size of Europe. You are not visiting one destination. You are choosing two or three from a menu that ranges from the familiar (Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea) to the remote (the Tuamotus, the Marquesas). The planning part is not about finding things to do. It is about narrowing down.

Jump to: Key Takeaways | What It Costs | Which Islands | 7-Day Itinerary | Flights & Inter-Island | Entry Requirements | FAQ

Key takeaways

• US, Australian, New Zealand, and most European citizens need only a valid passport for tourist stays under 90 days.
• A realistic 7-day trip for two costs US$7,000 to US$9,000, including flights, mid-range overwater or beachfront accommodations, and inter-island transport (confirm current rates with your booking platform).
• Moorea is the best first island for most travelers: 30-minute ferry from Tahiti, dramatic scenery, half the price of Bora Bora, and enough restaurants and activities to fill four days.
• Bora Bora is worth the splurge for two to three nights, not five. The lagoon is unmatched, but the island itself is small, and restaurant variety is limited.
• Air Tahiti Passes bundle inter-island flights and save 20% to 30% versus booking individually (check current pass pricing on Air Tahiti’s official site).
• April and May offer the best combination of dry weather, lower prices, and uncrowded resorts. Avoid July and August unless you book six months ahead.
• Overwater bungalows in Moorea cost roughly half what they cost in Bora Bora, with nearly the same water clarity (confirm current rates on the official resort sites).

What does a trip to Tahiti actually cost?

This is the question readers ask most, and it is the one most Tahiti guides dodge. I understand why. Costs vary wildly by island, season, and room category. But dodging the question does not help anyone plan.

Here is what I spent on my most recent trip and what I have seen other travelers spend. All figures are for two people, all-inclusive of flights, lodging, food, activities, and inter-island transport. Treat these as planning ranges, not quotes.

Two cost traps catch most first-timers. First, flights from the US West Coast run US$900 to US$1,400 per person in economy, but prices spike to US$2,000 or more during peak season (check current fares on Kayak before booking). Second, food on Bora Bora is expensive. A basic lunch at a resort runs US$40 to US$60 per person. I budget US$100 per person per day for food on Bora Bora and US$60 on Moorea.

Which islands should you visit in Tahiti?

The Society Islands, Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea, and Taha’a, receive 90% of visitors. They are also the easiest to reach and the most developed. For a first trip, stay within this group. The Tuamotus (Rangiroa, Tikehau) and the Marquesas are spectacular but require more time, more money, and more tolerance for logistics.

For a 7-day trip, Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora is the classic combination. For 10 days, add Huahine or Taha’a. For 14 days, consider the Tuamotus for world-class diving and empty beaches.

What does a 7-day Tahiti itinerary look like?

This is the itinerary I give friends who ask. It covers three islands without feeling rushed, includes one overwater bungalow night, and leaves room to do nothing, which is the whole point of Tahiti.

Day 1: Arrive in Papeete, ferry to Moorea

Most flights from the US land in Papeete late at night or early morning. If you arrive at night, stay at a simple airport hotel and take the first ferry in the morning. The ferry from Papeete to Moorea runs hourly from 6 AM to 5 PM and takes 30 minutes (check the current schedule on the Aremiti or Terevau ferry sites).

Check into your Moorea accommodation by midday. Spend the afternoon swimming at Temae Beach, the island’s best public beach. Dinner at a local roulotte (food truck) near the ferry terminal. Expect US$30 to US$40 for two (confirm current prices on-site).

Day 2: Moorea lagoon tour and snorkeling

Book a full-day lagoon tour that includes snorkeling with stingrays and blacktip reef sharks, a visit to a motu (small islet) for lunch, and a stop at the famous heart-shaped bay. Tours run US$120 to US$150 per person (check current rates on GetYourGuide). This is the single best day you can spend in French Polynesia for the money.

Day 3: Moorea hiking and Belvedere lookout

Rent a car or scooter for the day, about US$80 to US$120 (confirm current rates with the rental agency). Drive to the Belvedere lookout for the view that made Moorea famous. Hike to Afareaitu Waterfall if the weather is dry. Stop at the agricultural school for fresh pineapple and ice cream. Return to your resort for sunset.

Day 4: Fly to Bora Bora

Take a morning flight from Moorea to Bora Bora, 50 minutes, US$200 to US$250 round trip (check current fares on Air Tahiti). The flight lands on a motu, and you transfer to your resort by boat. Check into your overwater bungalow if you booked one. Spend the afternoon swimming off your deck. Dinner at your resort. This is the expensive day, but it is also the one you will remember.

Day 5: Bora Bora Lagoon and Mount Pahia

Take a lagoon tour in the morning. The standard tour includes a stop at the lagoonarium, a snorkel with rays and sharks, and a motu lunch. US$150 to US$180 per person (confirm current rates with the tour operator). In the afternoon, if you have energy, hike part of Mount Pahia for panoramic views of the lagoon. The full hike is strenuous and takes four to five hours.

Day 6: Bora Bora beach day and return to Tahiti

Spend the morning at Matira Beach, the island’s only public beach and arguably its best swimming spot. Lunch at a local snack shop. Take an afternoon flight back to Tahiti. Check into a hotel near the airport for your departure the next day. Dinner in Papeete at a waterfront restaurant or the roulottes at Place Vaiete.

Day 7: Papeete market and departure

Visit the Papeete Market (Le Marché de Papeete) before your flight. Buy vanilla, monoi oil, and black pearls if that is your thing. The market opens at 5 AM and closes around 5 PM. Head to the airport three hours before your international departure.

How do you get to Tahiti and between the islands?

Every international flight to French Polynesia lands at Faa’a International Airport in Papeete, Tahiti. From the US, Air Tahiti Nui flies nonstop from Los Angeles and Honolulu. United flies from San Francisco. Air France connects through Paris and Los Angeles. Flight times from Los Angeles run about eight hours.

For inter-island travel, Air Tahiti operates the domestic network. The key money-saving move is the Air Tahiti Pass, which bundles flights between multiple islands at a discount. A pass covering Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora costs roughly US$400 to US$500 per person, versus US$500 to US$600 booking individually (check current pass pricing on Air Tahiti’s official site). The passes must be booked before you leave home and cannot be changed once travel begins.

Ferries connect Tahiti and Moorea only. They are cheap, reliable, and run hourly. For every other island pair, you fly.

What are the entry requirements for Tahiti?

For US citizens, entry to French Polynesia is straightforward. You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your departure date. No visa is required for tourist stays under 90 days within a 180-day period . You may be asked for proof of onward travel, so have your return ticket accessible.

No specific vaccinations are required for entry. The CDC recommends routine vaccines plus Hepatitis A and Typhoid for most travelers. If you are arriving from a yellow fever-endemic country, proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required.

The COVID-era entry requirements that dominated Tahiti travel guides in 2021 and 2022 are gone. Ignore any guide that still mentions ETIS forms, PCR tests, or quarantine tiers. Those rules no longer apply.

For the most current requirements, check the US State Department travel page and the official French Polynesia tourism site before you book.

If you are coming from a country outside the US, check your specific visa requirements on the WakaAbuja visa guide for destination-specific rules.

What should you avoid when planning a Tahiti trip?

I have made enough mistakes on this topic to fill a separate guide. Here are the ones that actually cost money or ruin trips.

Booking Bora Bora first and building the trip around it

Bora Bora is the most expensive island and has the least to do outside the lagoon. If you book five nights there first, you will have no budget left for Moorea, which offers better value and more variety. Start with Moorea. Add Bora Bora as a two- or three-night splurge at the end.

Underestimating food costs on Bora Bora

Bora Bora has few independent restaurants. Most meals happen at resorts, where prices are high. Budget US$100 to US$150 per person per day for food if you are staying at a resort. Moorea has more local options and costs roughly half as much.

Assuming all overwater bungalows are the same

Overwater bungalows vary dramatically in size, privacy, and view. Some face the lagoon; others face the beach or a neighboring bungalow. The cheapest overwater room at a resort is often the one closest to the walkway. If you are paying for the experience, ask for a bungalow further out and facing the lagoon. The price difference is usually US$100 to US$200 per night (confirm current rates with the resort directly).

Not booking inter-island flights before arrival

Air Tahiti flights sell out during peak season. If you wait until you land in Papeete to book Bora Bora flights, you may not get the dates or times you want. Book the Air Tahiti Pass before you leave home.

Spending too many nights in Papeete

Papeete is a working city, not a resort destination. It has good restaurants and a lively market, but one night is enough. Do not book three nights there thinking it will be a beach town. It is not.

Ignoring the shoulder season

July and August are peak season: crowded, expensive, and harder to book. April, May, September, and October offer the same weather with lower prices and fewer people. The trade-off is slightly higher rain risk in April, but most days stay dry.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip: booking platforms we trust

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WakaAbuja does its best to keep all information accurate at the time of publishing. Prices, policies, and availability change regularly. Always verify with official sources before you travel. We are not liable for errors caused by outdated information. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.