Polynesia · GUIDED
Good guided tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Circle Bora Bora in an open-sided 4WD with a local guide such as Alex, Mana, or Moana. Stop at East Matira, Faanui Canon, WWII sites, a small plantation, and Amanahune Bay for mountain and lagoon views. Expect a bumpy ride, cultural demonstrations, and up to eight people in the truck.
“This trip was a great way to both see the island from high vantage points and to learn about its history.”
Walk through Afareaitu’s sacred valley with guides such as Yvette, Mary, Sylvie, or Teva. Learn about Polynesian legends, useful plants, temple ruins, and local farming before swimming beneath a waterfall. The trail can be steep, muddy, and slippery, so bring sturdy shoes. Fresh fruit in a private garden finishes the four to five-hour outing.
“First of all the guide Mary is an amazing guide. She knows everything about the vegetation and area you are hiking through. BUT... this is a difficult hike. The hike is very vert hard at times. Our hike was mostly a sharp slippery climb up anRead more”
Spend about three hours touring Bora Bora by ATV with a local guide such as Tahi, Manu, Caleb, or Rai. You will cross Vaitape, circle much of the island on paved roads, climb off-road mountain paths, stop at viewpoints near Amanahune and Anau Rock, and taste exotic fruit at a family property. Hotel and dock pickup may be available.
“Had a great time on the ATV tour. Manu showed us the whole island and provided lots of interesting information on Bora Bora. The ATVs were fun and reliable. My wife and I rode on one ATV. Beautiful views and lots of opportunities to take pictures. Never felt rushed. Highly recommend. About 3-3.5 hours long”
Spend 3.5 hours riding an ATV through Mo'orea's Opunohu Valley, pineapple fields, fruit plantations, and mountain tracks. Your French or English-speaking guide leads you to the Belvedere, Cook's and Opunohu Bays, and possibly Magic Mountain. Tastings, photos, rain gear, water, and a post-tour drink are included.
“Really fun ATV tour. Spectacular sceneries! Going up the mountains off road was a treat. Would have appreciated a little more challenge but other people in the group had a hard time so it is totally understandable. Be aware that only 18+ with a valid driving license will be allowed to drive an ATV.”
Spend about 4.5 hours with an English-speaking local guide such as Tracy, Ronnie, or Dominique on Tahiti’s wild east coast. Visit Papeete, Point Venus, a former leper colony, a Tiki workshop, waterfalls, the Arahoho Blowhole, and Tahara Viewpoint in a Mercedes minivan shared by no more than eight people.
“The tour was very interesting. Dominique, our guide , was very knowledgeable. We had a lot of questions he gave us all the answers, no matter what we asked.”
Join Storytellers Eco Cycle and Walking Tours for a relaxed half-day ride around Rarotonga. With guides such as Dr. Corrina, you cycle quiet roads, visit Arorangi and Titikaveka, sample local fruit, stop for a swim, and finish with lunch beside the sea. Bikes, helmets, pickup, and drop-off are included.
“Dr. Corrina is so knowledgeable. We had an amazing day exploring raro scenery, away from the main road, and learn about its history, food, culture and everyday life like a local. Enjoying fresh fruits on our way and ending the tour with a delicious beach lunch!”
You’ll paddle a transparent kayak from Tiahura across Moorea’s clear lagoon with a small professional team. Look for turtles, rays, black-tip sharks, coral, and tropical fish, then swim between two motus and enjoy fresh fruit juice on a sandbank. Guides may include Nicolas or Caro. The tour lasts about 3.5 hours.
“We had a wonderful time with the guides. They were friendly, knowledgeable and helped us to see a lot of marine life. I highly recommend this excursion.”
Join captain Michael and guide Teiki for a four-and-a-half-hour whale search from Papeete Marina. With only six people aboard, you get personal safety guidance, snorkeling gear, wetsuits, snacks, and a chance to see humpback whales, turtles, rays, coral gardens, or wrecks. Swimming with whales depends entirely on sea conditions and whale behavior.
“Amazing experience and an even better guide. We Saw a large female breaching twice. And he explained the procedure amazingly”
From Raiatea, Revanui Excursions takes you by spacious boat around Tahaa for vanilla, rum, pearl, and coral garden stops, followed by a local lunch and music on a private motu. Guides including Vai, Jason, and Julian have led warm, flexible outings for groups of up to 14.
“When another tour company canceled on us last minute (literally the night before the tour), we went back on Viator and booked a trip with Revanui Excursions. Unfortunaly their boat was in for repairs, but the tour operator reached out almost immediately to set us up with another tour company who offered a similar excursion (Are Tours). Since this all happened very last minute the guide offered to pick us up and give us a ride so we wouldn’t have to hire a taxi which I thought was very kind. So – in short, we were not able to take this tour BUT my understanding is that most of the…”
Join Moorea Blue Paddle at Tiahura Beach for a three-hour French or English guided kayak trip with Luca or Omelia. Paddle a clear-bottom kayak over coral gardens, watch for turtles, eagle rays, fish, and blacktip sharks, then snorkel between the motus. Fresh juice or seasonal fruit is included.
“Merci pour cette visite pleines de découvertes et de savoirs ! Tortues et raies léopard étaient au rdv, majestueuses et féeriques 😍”
Explore Tahaa by ATV with a local guide, visiting a vanilla grove, Mana’o products, a pearl farm, rum and fruit-growing areas, lookouts, and Marae Vaima’i. The four-hour route ends with tropical fruit and frozen coconut. John and Hine are among the guides named in guest feedback.
“Great island tour!!!! My wife and I would definitely recommend this tour of the island, pearl farm, rum and vanilla tours!!!!”
Spend four hours seeing Moorea through local eyes with guide Christine. Visit Toatea Lookout, Cook’s Bay, pineapple fields, the Opunohu archaeological site, island temples, and the Belvedere. VR headsets recreate a 17th-century marae ceremony and naval battle, followed by fruit juice and local drink tastings.
“Nous avons passé une matinée absolument géniale avec notre guide Christine! Passionnée par son île, elle a su nous faire découvrir la culture et l’histoire de Moorea avec une générosité incroyable. Un moment divin! A faire les yeux fermés!”
Bring your own car and let Spirou, known as the Lady in Blue, guide you around Moorea for about four hours. You will visit lookout points, pineapple country, a juice distillery, vanilla and jam producers, and cultural sites while learning about the island’s plants, geology, history, and daily life. The private rate covers up to three people.
“Spirou was a delightful guide. Very knowledgeable about the island. Gave us great recommendations for restaurants and activities. Really enjoyed the juice distillery. Very engaging and entertaining guide.”
Spend two gentle afternoon hours with Moorea Blue Paddle on Tiahura Beach. Your guide leads you by transparent kayak to turtle and ray habitats, a snorkeling area, and a sandy motu for homemade fruit juice. The small group is limited to 12, with guides such as Caro, Nicolas, and Lucas sharing safety tips and local insight.
“Very much enjoyed this excursion. The water is so clear so you can see everything beneath the kayaks. The instructors always made sure we were safe. Saw so many turtles!! And even an octopus. Had a brilliant time!”
Spend about six hours touring Moorea with Heirani of Safari Tropical Tours. This small-group 4x4 outing combines Magic Mountain, Opunohu Valley, two scenic lookouts, fruit-juice and liqueur tasting, a Polynesian meal at the Tropical Garden, and time at Motu Tiahura. Pickup is offered, with a maximum of eight people.
“We had an exceptional experience with Heirani as our outstanding tour guide! He provided top-notch care, ensuring our comfort and enjoyment throughout the adventure. Heirani's extensive knowledge, warm hospitality, and passion for shariRead more”
Pick a lagoon, a reef or a mountain road.
