The 12 Best Shore Excursions in French Polynesia

1.Moorea Cruise Ships: 4×4, Belvedere, Pineapple, & Magic Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 363 reviews · from $70Our pick

Spend three to four hours touring Moorea in a small open-air 4WD, with stops at Belvedere Lookout, Magic Mountain, Cook’s Bay, pineapple fields, a tropical garden, and a local distillery. Guides such as Ron, Mario, Tammo, and Dean share island history and customs. Expect big views, small tastings, and a very bumpy mountain road.

“The 4×4 safari tour is not for the faint of heart. When we saw tiny vehicles in the distance slowly climbing the treacherous mountainside from our cruise ship, I never imagined it was THIS same tour lol. Our guide (V) was extremely kRead more”

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2.1/2 day Tahaa coral garden – departure Raiatea / ideal for cruise passengers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 149 reviews · from $144

From Raiatea, take a small boat to Taha’a for a gentle drift snorkel through a shallow coral garden. Guides such as Gony, Julian, and Laurence lead groups of up to 10, point out fish, and help you avoid coral. Bring water shoes, allow about 3 hours, and leave time for the 35 to 45 minute boat ride each way.

“When we signed up, we didn’t realize that it was a drift snorkel through the coral gardens. If you want a drift snorkel, this is fun and we did enjoy it - just didn’t know that was what we had signed up for. Had a great time and got to do the same drift twice! Make sure you bring good water shoes. We had our own mask & snorkels (we prefer to bring our own as they fit perfectly and pack easily) so can’t comment on the ones they provided. Watch out for the fire coral! They are yellow tipped corals and make sure you do not brush against them,…”

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3.Moorea Cruise Ships: 4×4, Belvedere,Magic Mountain pineaple

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 140 reviews · 4 hours · from $62

Spend four hours touring Moorea in a small 4x4 truck with a local English or French-speaking guide. Visit Magic Mountain, Belvedere Lookout, Cook’s Bay, Opunohu Bay, pineapple fields, a marae, freshwater eels, and a juice and liquor factory. Guides such as Gerard, JJ, Carlos, and Coco are known for lively local stories and hands-on demonstrations.

“The guide was very informative and helpful with a wealth of knowledge about the island his funny stories and actions made the trip very enjoyable.”

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4.Ultimate Upolu Highlights Tour – Apia Cruise Ship Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · from $130

Shawn and Janette of Samoa Surf and Turf take you from Apia port to Piula Cave Pool, To Sua Ocean Trench, Lalomanu Beach, and Papapapaitai Falls. Expect an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, a snack, included entry fees, swimming time, and a relaxed pace built around your ship’s schedule.

“Our tour leader was alwa ys responsive and clear about how the tour the tour proceeded..he did exactly what he said we were going to do and everything was on time, while being respectful and polite unique experience swimming in the lava tube..not to be missed thanks Shaun it was a memorable day”

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5.1/2 day “Treasures of Raiatea” by boat – ideal for cruise passengers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · from $144

Spend 3 to 4 hours exploring Raiatea by boat, traveling up the Faaroa River and visiting a local pearl farm near Opoa. Guides such as Julien and Teiki share island stories, show how black pearls are grown, and serve fresh fruit and drinks. The small group, capped at 12, suits cruise passengers with limited time.

“The boat ride was good and the visit to pearl factory was good, but it would have been nice to have a tour guide that actually gave us information about the country and local area. We received no information at all while on the tour.”

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6.Apia Highlights Shore Excursion Tour + Lunch & Island Show

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $194

From Apia Wharf, you’ll visit the Old Apia Market, cathedral, Stevenson Museum, Bahá’í temple, waterfalls, and scenic passes before lunch and a Samoan island show at Maninoa. The day ends at To Sua Ocean Trench, where you can swim or enjoy the gardens. Guides may include Tasi, Elijah, or Taesie.

“Well organized trip with Elijah and Taesie as our guide and driver. Brothers. Lots of humour. Easy to find the tour as we disembarked the ship. From beginning to end, i thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Enough times at the venues.”

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7.Half day excursion Tahaa – departure Raiatea / ideal cruise line

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 23 reviews · from $144

Cross Raiatea’s lagoon to Tahaa for a focused half-day visit to a vanilla plantation and black pearl farm. You’ll travel by boat in a group of no more than 10, with guides such as Julian, Claudine, or Arohanui involved on some departures. This tour does not include snorkeling or a coral garden stop.

“Pearl farm and rum distillery were good, crew excellent and looked after frail guests, vanilla farm on west coast was rubbish, people who went to East Coast farm much better experience. Problem started with being bumped from 8.30 toRead more”

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8.Shore Excursion: 3-Hour Tongatapu East Coast and Anahulu Cave Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 13 reviews · from $71

Spend about three hours touring Tongatapu with a local driver-guide, from Nuku’alofa’s royal sites to Captain Cook’s Landing Place and the ancient Ha’amonga’a Maui. You’ll also visit quiet Anahulu Beach and swim in Anahulu Cave’s freshwater pool. Pickup and drop-off are at Vuna Wharf, with groups limited to 15.

“It's worth the time and money. Beautiful impression and very pleasant guide and driver. Flexible duration of stay at cave/beach.”

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9.Scenic Shopping Tour from cruise ship

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $80

Spend about three hours touring Moorea in an air-conditioned vehicle with Spirou Thebaud, who explains the island in up to six languages. Visit Belvedere and Toatea lookouts, taste jams, juices, rum, and liqueurs, and shop for Tahitian pearls, pareos, monoi, tamanu oil, and local crafts. Groups are limited to eight.

“Spirou (la dame en bleu) était très interessante et dynamique. Elle prend le temps de nous expliquer l’histoire, les fruits, les arbres etc. Spirou est passionnée par la merveilleuse île de Moorea et sait nous transmettre son amour de Tahiti. Merci encore! Chloé, Karl, Kathleen et Francis”

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10.Adventour Samoa: Cruise Ship Excrusion(Highlight of Samoa)

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 7 reviews · from $150

Spend a flexible half or full day touring Samoa from Apia with an English-speaking guide such as Wayne. Visit the To-Sua Ocean Trench, beaches, waterfalls, and Apia landmarks, with transport, entry fees, and lunch included. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, cash, and snorkeling gear.

“We had a wonderful time on this tour. Wayne, our tour guide was very informative and showed us all the beauty of Samoa. I would highly recommend this tour with the Adventour company.”

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11.Moorea Cruise Ships 4×4, Belvedere Magic mount PRIVATE Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 4 hours

Spend four hours touring Moorea in a private 4x4 with an English- or French-speaking guide. Visit Magic Mountain, Belvedere Lookout, Cook’s and Opunohu bays, pineapple fields, a marae, and a juice distillery. Guides such as Heiva and Carl add local stories, while fruit, jam, coconut, juice, and liquor tastings bring the island’s flavors to the tour.

“Rien à reprocher. Tout était parfait, l'accueil, l'échange, les légendes et traditions racontées par le guide, le tour de l'île est incroyable magnifique et son histoire vous fera vibrer.”

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12.Nuku’alofa Shore Excursion: West Coast Scenic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3 reviews · from $61Best value

Spend about three hours touring Tongatapu’s coast from Vuna Wharf with a local guide and a group of up to 15. You’ll see Mapu’a ‘a Vaea Blowholes, Tsunami Rock, Kolovai’s flying fox colony, a rare three-headed coconut, and Abel Tasman’s landing site. Cecilia has guided at least some departures.

“Miscommunication on pickup location, had to contact the vendor, 30 minutes late on start time. Also thought lunch was included with the tour but did not happen.”

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