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Routes · Oceania

Moscow to French Polynesia: Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora

Moscow → Papeete (Tahiti) → Moorea → Bora Bora

Papeete
"Papeete_-_Marina_Taina.JPG" by Remi Jouan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Bora Bora ISS006 (Bora Bora)
Photo: NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

French Polynesia lagoons Best season (general guide): May–Oct

French Polynesia's Society Islands are famous for their lagoons and volcanic peaks, and this route visits three of them. From Moscow the journey is very long, with connections usually through Europe and either North America or Asia before reaching Papeete. A ferry takes you to Moorea and a flight to Bora Bora.

Papeete's market is a good first stop for flowers, pearls and food, and the drive around Tahiti passes black-sand beaches and waterfalls. The ferry to Moorea takes about half an hour, and the island has walking trails, a belvedere viewpoint, and lagoon trips where rays and reef sharks are commonly seen. Bora Bora's lagoon is the highlight of the route, with boat and outrigger canoe tours, snorkelling over coral gardens and views of the mountain from the motus, the small islets on the reef.

The drier season from about May to October has more sunshine and lower humidity. July and August are the busiest months. Humpback whales visit the islands from about July to November.

Book flights to Bora Bora early for the peak season. Check entry requirements for French Polynesia, which has its own rules within France's territory.

How to pace it: the trip from Moscow is long, with several connections, so take it easy on the first day in Papeete. Two nights on Tahiti are enough for the market and the round-island drive. Three nights on Moorea let you hike, visit the lagoon and relax. On Bora Bora, plan one day for the lagoon tour and one for snorkelling, and leave the last day free before the flight back to Papeete. Inter-island flights can be busy, so book them at the same time as your accommodation.

Suggested outline

  1. Moscow

    Start

  2. Papeete (Tahiti)

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    The capital on Tahiti, with its market and waterfront. The island's interior is mountainous and green.

  3. Moorea

    By ferry · 3 nights suggested

    A jagged volcanic island a short ferry ride from Papeete, with lagoons and viewpoints over Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay.

    Moorea
    "DSC00042_Polynésia_Mooréa_Island_Motu_Moéa_Lagoon_and_transportation_Boat_(8076082190).jpg" by DANIEL JULIE from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Bora Bora

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    An island inside a turquoise lagoon around Mount Otemanu, reached by a short flight from Papeete. Lagoon tours and snorkelling.

    Bora Bora
    "Bora_Bora_ISS006.jpg" by NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Papeete (Tahiti) — Arrive; market· Moscow → Papeete, Tahiti (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Papeete (Tahiti) — Around Tahiti
  3. Day 3 · Moorea — Ferry to Moorea· Papeete, Tahiti → Moorea (by ferry)
  4. Day 4 · Moorea — Belvedere viewpoint
  5. Day 5 · Moorea — Lagoon trip
  6. Day 6 · Bora Bora — Fly to Bora Bora· Moorea → Bora Bora (by air)
  7. Day 7 · Bora Bora — Lagoon tour
  8. Day 8 · Bora Bora — Snorkel coral gardens
  9. Day 9 · Bora Bora — Travel home from Bora Bora· Bora Bora → Moscow (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Papeete (Tahiti)

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Moorea

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Bora Bora

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