71 Best Sights in French Polynesia

Maeva is rich in archeological sites; there are the remains of a handful on the shore of Lake Fauna Nui along with a replica of a 19th-century fare pote (meeting house). Today the meeting house is used as a museum and cultural center, displaying ancient tools, woven cloth, and historical pictures. It's only open when cruise ships are in port. The 2.5-km (1.5-mi) Matairea-rahi trail is virtually littered with the remnants of ancient temples and islanders' home; some 20 or so can be seen on the trail. The Matairea-rahi Marae was the most important temple in the Society Islands before the building of Taputapuatea on the island of Raiatea, and was used for solemn ceremonies including human sacrifices. Signs, in English and French, can be found near the lakeside marae and the Fare Pote. They explain the meaning of temple design and the purpose of the replica wooden totem poles (some decorated with animals) that are wedged into the stone platforms on the lakeshore. The path leading to the hillside trail, however, is a little tricky to find. You will find the start of the trail a little farther along the road from the public bathroom.

This marae is located at one of the best locations on the island—virtually on the tip of Parea. It functioned as the island's temple long before Europeans arrived. Sacrifices, including human ones (to Oro the god of war), are said to have taken place here.

This small museum at the very northern end of the island is only open upon request (and never on the weekends), so if you want to see 40 models of ancient and modern canoes, tuna fishing boats, and models of legendary ships such as the Bounty and the Kon Tiki, call before you visit.

Situated on the Maroe Bay, this village has a rotunda on the water's edge, a big billboard style map of the island, a buttercup-colored Protestant church with adjoining church hall, a little restaurant serving fish, and a few baguette sandwiches, and that's about it. It does, however, have a spectacular view over the wide bay where cruise ships dock. Passengers are brought ashore at Maroe at the rotunda site where they then board L'Truck buses for circle tours or meet their 4WD tour operators or rental car agents. If you look to the east you can't miss Te Moa o Hiro, the looming phallus-shaped rock. The restaurant, Rauheama, is a popular watering hole for ship passengers.

More than half the people live in the town of Mataura on the northern coast, about 1.5 km (1 mi) east of the wharf. You'll find the town hall, police station, shops, and a small market in the village, though in truth there is little for the tourist to buy.

This lovely beach at the southern most tip of the island graces both sides of Matira Point and is about 1.5 km (1 mi) long. Technically there are two beaches—west and east—with Matira Point in the middle. It's one of the few public access beaches on the island. Several luxurious resorts, shops, eateries, and activity centers are located on or near the beach making it a tourist hub. The beach is located about 6 km (4 mi) from Vaitape; take a taxi, ride your scooter or bike, or wait for the local, but somewhat unreliable, L'Truck.

At the foot of Mount Hitikau, you can see a great series of monumental tiki carved from red rock. Many organized tours call here.

The village's main attraction is the Musée Communal, the oldest museum in the Marquesas. Its collections include mortuary canoes and various decorations such as bracelets, earrings, sperm whale teeth, and adzes. Local wood-carvers work and sell their wares here. The museum is also known as the Archeological Museum of Vaipaee.

About 500 people live on the island in two villages: Omoa, which has a simple but beautiful Catholic church, and the even smaller Hanavave. Many of the inhabitants carry dramatic tattoos in the local tradition and proudly display them to visitors. The islanders are legendary for their generosity and friendship, and if necessary it's perhaps best to repay this generosity with gifts rather than cash.

Only 4.8 km (3 mi) of sea separate the villages but land access is by a 16-km (10-mi) narrow path that winds over the mountains. Walking this can take around four to five hours—getting around is not an easy option.

This deserted village, complete with church, is on the opposite side of the lagoon to Avatoru, midway between Ile aux Recifs and Les Sables Roses. At least one operator runs a tour there, which is combined with island-hopping and lunch. For tour information, contact Pension Martine.

East of Vaipae'e, on the road to the airport, is this remarkable botanical garden spread out over 42 acres. It showcases more than 300 plant species (most of which are unlabeled, so take an illustrated guide if possible) from all over the world. Most of the major local flora, including the majestic local palm and papaya, are represented among the offerings. The citrus fruit collection, from which emanate distinctively tangy aromas, is reputed to be the best in the world. An aviary displays local birds, including the ultramarine lorikeet.

With its two sizeable lodgings, a white church, small tidy little houses in secluded lanes off the main road, a restaurant, a roadside snack bar, and the occasional small grocery store, this village—that stretches for a couple of mi with big gaps between most of the infrastructure—could be considered the epicenter of Huahine Iti. The island's best beach is here (at the southern tip) and the Anini Marae (also called the Parea Marae) is virtually standing on the shore. Across the lagoon is Motu Aara'ara.

Polynesian Adventure. Hiking operator Polynesian Adventure conducts two-day hikes here. 42–25–95. www.polynesianadventure.fr.st.

The village of Puamau is east of Atuona; the journey takes 2½ hours by 4WD over a mountain trail that crosses the island, passing through the island's airport, the north shore, and the villages of Hanapaaoa and Nahoe. Puamau is overshadowed by a circle of high cliffs and is home to the Pekekea historical site which consists of the tomb of Queen Vahinetitoiani that's protected by two gigantic "tiki"—Mani and Pauto. Higher up the trail sits one of the most important archaeological sites in the Marquesas: Iipona, a temple site with the largest stone carving found outside of Easter Island. The site is guarded by a 7-foot-tall (2 meter) tiki that's known as 'Takai', the valley's namesake. Takai' is accompanied by two smaller tiki: Tauatepepe on the right and Pepetamuimui to the left. There are also many tiki heads displayed about the paepae, and on one of the platforms there is also the striking statue of Makali Taua Pepe, representing a woman giving birth to a creature that is half man, half goat.

Situated on the northeast corner of Fakarava, this village of 860 people is where the action happens on the atoll. There's a pretty Catholic church, a primary school, a few telephone booths that take phone cards, a pharmacy with a doctor and nurse, and a post office with Internet connection. There is no bank or ATMs but the two general stores now accept credit cards. It does have a 15-km (9-mi) road and a cycling lane, so biking is a fun way to explore the area.

Sables Roses, a tiny motu adrift in Tikehau's gorgeous lagoon, with towering coconut trees and pink-sand beaches. The day trips here are leisurely affairs—swimming, snorkeling, and beachcombing. When the tide's out it's possible to walk across the shallow channels to other motus and even out to the ocean side.

Sea Museum of Hane displays pirogues (outrigger canoes) and various fishing equipment and hooks.

Tubuai had a role in the best-known naval mutiny, that aboard HMS Bounty in 1789. After master's mate Fletcher Christian seized the ship, setting Captain William Bligh adrift, the mutineers sailed the South Pacific looking for a place to hide, eventually ending up on Pitcairn Island. In the course of their travels they spent time in Tubuai, building Fort George, southeast of Taahuaia and around 3 km (2 mi) east of the wharf. Nothing remains of the original fort, but a replica has recently been built.

The island has some of the most interesting archaeological sites in French Polynesia and these can all be seen on a 4WD excursion. The village of Taaoa is west of Atuona and can be reached by a zigzag track that reaches an elevation of 1,300 feet (400 meters). The village has a great view over the bay, and there's a large archaeological site consisting of several hundred paepae (stone platforms).

Tahiti Safari Expedition. Travelers with limited time, or no desire to set off on their own, have a choice of several operators who run half-day and full-day excursions across the interior. Try Tahiti Safari Expedition 42–14–25. www.tahiti-safari.com.

Tahitian Excursion. Travelers with limited time, or no desire to set off on their own, have a choice of several operators who run half-day and full-day excursions across the interior. Try Tahitian Excursion. 82–69–96. www.tahitian-excursion.com.

Although it has no airport, the neighboring island of Tahuata—the only landing place of Spaniard Alvaro De Mendana, the first European to see the islands—can be reached by boat or helicopter and is popular with visiting yachties. Approximately 600 people live in either the village of Vaitahu, which is backed by a massive green cliff-face, or in several smaller villages around the island. Hapatoni is a delightful village by the sea, the seafront road being constructed with very old carved slabs. It can be reached by boat from Vaitahu village in about 15 minutes. There are no normal roads on the island and getting around can be difficult; horseback is the favored mode of transport. There are several lovely beaches that look tantalizing, but take precautions before taking the plunge as the dreaded nono will be there in large numbers. Petroglyphs can be seen in an inland valley and there are also relics of the fighting between the local people and the French in earlier days. Today, villagers sell carvings, paintings, and monoi (a fragrant mix of coconut and tiare flower extracts that's used as a body moisturizer).

In the shadow of towering, 2,834-foot (864 meters) Mt. Muake, this is the island's main town. Located in the center of the southern coast at the foot of deep Taiohae Bay, the town is in the center of an ancient volcanic crater, half of which has collapsed into the ocean, creating a bay. A modern administrative center complete with gendarmerie (police), it has a particularly French feel to it. Taiohae sculptors work in shops behind the village. Most of the island's banks, schools, stores, and shops are in Taiohae. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Marquesas is built with various rock from the six islands of the Marquesas. The wood carvings inside combine Marquesan art with religion, including a dramatic wooden pulpit.

Melville based his celebrated novel Typee on his experiences in Nuku Hiva and the time he spent in the valley of Taipivai. The large and fertile valley is around 16 km (10 mi) from Taiohae and can be reached by boat. Taipivai features the best archaeological sites in the Marquesas.

Techni-Iles. Techni-Iles at the Europcar office in Uturoa has two computers, but you can also bring your own laptop. 66–34–06 or 66 37 81.

This tiny village midway down the east coast has a buttercup-yellow church on one side of the road and a small graveyard on the other, which is backed by rain-forest covered hills. Across the lagoon is Motu Murimahora, a lush island where melon growing is the main activity.

It's hard to believe that this village of a dozen people was once the capital of the Tuamotus. The coral church, built in 1874, is still there, along with the Tetamanu Village pension right next to the Tamakohua Pass. The pension operates its own dive center. The owners of the Raimiti pension (about 9.6 km [6 mi] north of the pass) consider themselves Tetamanu citizens and are included in the dozen. The village and pensions are about 48 km (30 mi) from the airport and a 90-minute boat ride away.

The Museum of Wood, or "Jardin Bontanique," is situated in the Papua-keikaha Temoohe Arboretum.

Avatoru and Tiputa passes offer some of the best drift diving in the world. Divers, accompanied by a guide, are dropped off on the ocean side of the atoll into the fast-moving current and are sucked through the pass by the tide. Feeling an amazing adrenaline rush, divers come (literally) face to face with hundreds of fish, along with giant napoleon wrasses, hawksbill turtles, manta and eagle rays, dolphins, and sharks—gray reefs, lemons, hammerheads, and dozens of black-tips. Snorkeling and glass bottom boat trips explore the calmer waters of the Tiputa Pass, and seek out the dolphins that are cavorting in the waves.

The Paul Gauguin Cultural Centre has no original works by the artist but does display reproductions of some of the paintings from his time in Polynesia. A replica of his thatched Maison du Jouir (House of Pleasure) has been rebuilt nearby; the outside is finished in sculpted wood panels, with copies of Gauguin's originals. There's also a craft center.