The first step is to figure out the routes to Papeete, Tahiti. Flying from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) has rather limited routes; either transiting in Auckland or Tokyo before another flight to Papeete. Auckland was a much better route in my opinion since the airfare to Papeete from Auckland was way cheaper than Tokyo. Kuala Lumpur to Auckland is a 10-hour flight; while Auckland to Papeete takes 5 hours (via Air Tahiti Nui/ Air New Zealand). My return flight for Papeete, Tahiti costs NZD299.
Second step in planning is the hardest in my opinion - deciding which islands to discover. The thing about French Polynesia is... I haven't had any friends who have been and thus I relied solely on the Google search results. French Polynesia has a whooping total of 118 islands and atolls, not just Tahiti and Bora Bora. Air Tahiti operates the inter-island flights and there are a few passes available so if you're considering doing more than just one island, the passes can be purchased at a very much bargained rate. A return flight for Bora Bora costs approximately USD300; with the multi-islands passes, discovering a few islands can be done from almost the same price onwards. I got a Bora Bora pass at USD480, which permits you to travel to a total of 5 islands (Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, and Maupiti). I did not do all islands, only Huahine and Bora Bora.
*More information can be found here.
I spent a night in Auckland before my flight to Papeete, Tahiti to avoid any unforeseen circumstances. It was winter during my time of visit, so it was rainy in Auckland but breezy and dry in the French Polynesia, which made it the perfect weather for islands hopping!
Photos to summarize this post:
(Feel free to ask if you have any questions regarding traveling to French Polynesia!)
Second step in planning is the hardest in my opinion - deciding which islands to discover. The thing about French Polynesia is... I haven't had any friends who have been and thus I relied solely on the Google search results. French Polynesia has a whooping total of 118 islands and atolls, not just Tahiti and Bora Bora. Air Tahiti operates the inter-island flights and there are a few passes available so if you're considering doing more than just one island, the passes can be purchased at a very much bargained rate. A return flight for Bora Bora costs approximately USD300; with the multi-islands passes, discovering a few islands can be done from almost the same price onwards. I got a Bora Bora pass at USD480, which permits you to travel to a total of 5 islands (Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, and Maupiti). I did not do all islands, only Huahine and Bora Bora.
*More information can be found here.
I spent a night in Auckland before my flight to Papeete, Tahiti to avoid any unforeseen circumstances. It was winter during my time of visit, so it was rainy in Auckland but breezy and dry in the French Polynesia, which made it the perfect weather for islands hopping!
Photos to summarize this post:
Arriving in Auckland on a cloudy morning.
1 night layover in Auckland. View from room in Ibis Budget Hotel within the airport vicinity.
Ready for flight to Papeete, Tahiti the following morning. Weird stares from other guests in the hotel with my summer clothing in a winter city.
Flight to Papeete, Tahiti operated by Air New Zealand. V
ery comfortable seat and pleasant in-flight entertainment system for a 5-hour flight, plus more weird stares from almost everyone in the boarding hall since I was the only solo traveler
Leaving Auckland. Not the usual barren view in winter
Never give up on window seat for flights to French Polynesia! Passing by Moorea
Finally, approaching Papeete on a sunny afternoon!
Minutes before landing. Amazing colors of water already!
Fortunate enough to be having a friend on a work trip in Intercontinental, straight off to the resort for a magnificent sunset like this:
View from the lobby
Sunset overlooking Moorea
Already in love with French Polynesia
Next post, Huahine!
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