Tahiti Inter islands flights and ferry in french polynesia
Organizing a trip to French Polynesia also means knowing how to get around between Tahiti and its islands, by flight and ferry. With distant archipelagos, sometimes complex connections, and logistical constraints specific to each island, your choice of transportation directly influences how smoothly your itinerary flows.
In this article, we review the three main options for traveling between the islands:
- Inter-island flights in Polynesia with Air Tahiti and Air Moana,
- Maritime connections, ferry and boat available between nearby islands,
- The Apetahi Ferry, the Polynesian ferry that connects the Society Islands.
And most importantly, we give you our final recommendation for optimizing your travel based on journey time, budget, and comfort.
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1) Air Tahiti and Moana inter island flights
The most commonly used method for traveling between islands in French Polynesia is by plane. The distances between archipelagos are significant, and some islands, such as the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, or the Australs, are only accessible by air. The two main local airlines are Air Tahiti, which serves the entire territory, and Air Moana, which focuses on the Society Islands such as Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine, and Moorea. These airlines allow you to book individual flights directly on their websites, create multi-destination loops, or opt for an inter-island pass.
Inter-island flights offer great reliability and save precious time, especially when you have fewer than twenty days on site. Individual tickets make it easy to compare fares for each segment, while multi-destination loops offer more convenience for connecting several islands in your desired order. Passes, on the other hand, can save money, but they often impose constraints on dates and the order of stopovers.
Check out our complete article to find your inter-island flights at the best price with Air Tahiti and Air Moana.
It’s important to note that some routes only operate on certain days or in one direction. For example, a Moorea → Huahine flight exists, but there’s sometimes no direct return. In this case, you’ll need to go back through Tahiti or take the boat. Planes often operate like buses, making loops with multiple stops, but passengers cannot get off at a stopover not specified on their ticket. Fares don’t always follow geographical logic, and a longer flight may be cheaper than a shorter one.
For a short trip, flying remains the most practical way to maximize time on each island. For longer trips, combining individual flights, multi-destination loops, and passes allows you to adjust your budget and travel pace. For complex multi-island itineraries, a local travel agency can also help build a coherent loop and manage any last-minute cancellations or changes.
Find our complete articles by island, to learn what to do, what to see, and how to get there, in the Islands section.
2) Ferry boats : The Ideal Solution for Short Distances in Society islands
Some islands are very close together, making the boat more practical than the plane. This is particularly the case for Tahiti and Moorea, separated by only twenty kilometers. The ferry crossing takes between 30 and 45 minutes, costs between 10 and 15 € per person, and offers about fifteen departures each day. The boat also offers the possibility of transporting a vehicle, and in season, it’s possible to observe whales from the deck. For this route, the ferry is more economical, flexible, and enjoyable than the plane.
Between Raiatea and Taha’a, there is no air connection because these two islands are very close (a few km). Transfers are made only by boat shuttle, operated by private companies, for about eight euros per person. This short trip allows you to enjoy the lagoon shared by the two islands and travel at a more leisurely pace while saving on transportation.
To connect Bora Bora and Maupiti, the boat is also a good option, with crossings of about 1h15, four to five times a week, for a fare of around 50 euros per person. You can also take a flight between Bora and Maupiti, 20 minutes by plane for about €100, but by the time you get to the airport and arrive early at the airport, it’s faster to take the boat.
These maritime connections are therefore particularly suitable for very close islands or for short trips in the Society Islands. They allow you to save money, observe marine wildlife and flora, and travel in a relaxed manner. However, they require time and must be intelligently integrated into your itinerary, especially if you have a stay limited to twenty days or less.
If you’re wondering what to bring for your trip to Polynesia, check out our complete packing guide for Tahiti and Bora Bora with all the essentials you’ll need.
3) The Apetahi Ferry: A Ferry to Explore All the Society Islands
The Apetahi Ferry is a ferry that connects the main Society Islands: Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, and Maupiti. It is primarily aimed at travelers who have plenty of time, as each crossing can last several hours, and entire days can be devoted to transportation.
The 30-day pass for the Apetahi Ferry, for about 30,000 CFP (250 €), allows you to travel as much as you want for a month on all the islands served. It’s an interesting option for exploring the islands at a slow pace, enjoying the scenery, and organizing flexible combinations. However, this ferry is slower than the plane and can be restrictive if you have a short stay or want to connect several islands quickly.
The Apetahi Ferry remains an economical and practical choice for those who want to travel without worrying about flight costs, but it requires good organization and a bit of patience. To better understand how it works, you can consult our complete article on the Apetahi Ferry and the 30-day pass, with all the practical information on schedules and connections.
It’s also possible to combine the Apetahi Ferry with plane and boat travel to optimize your budget and time. For example, using the ferry for long trips in the Society Islands and favoring short boat or plane trips allows you to maximize the experience without wasting too much time.
🌴 Read the Full 10-Day Itinerary
Conclusion: Our Recommendation for Organizing Your Travel
Ultimately, the choice depends mainly on the length of your stay. For a trip of less than twenty days, the plane remains the most efficient, fast, and reliable solution, with the boat used only for short trips like Tahiti-Moorea, Raiatea-Taha’a, or Bora-Maupiti. For longer stays, a mix of plane, boat, and the Aratai Ferry becomes very interesting, allowing you to travel at a flexible pace and enjoy all the Society Islands.
Find our complete article on comparative car rental offers in Tahiti and Moorea.
For an optimized trip, it is strongly recommended to go through a local travel agency, which can handle cancellations, last-minute changes, and organize the complete itinerary with flights and ferries, while coordinating accommodations. This allows you to save time, avoid mistakes, and travel peacefully, especially if you want to visit several islands in less than three weeks.
In summary, combine the three solutions intelligently: use the boat for short distances, the plane for long connections, and the Aratai Ferry pass if you’re staying a month or more. This combination allows you to fully enjoy French Polynesia without wasting time or money unnecessarily.
Check our full article about best flights combination LA to Tahiti and Bora Bora
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❓FAQ – Inter-Island Travel in French Polynesia
What are the transportation options for connecting the islands?
➡️ In French Polynesia, most inter-island travel is done by plane, especially to reach distant archipelagos like the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, or the Australs. For nearby islands, such as Tahiti-Moorea or Raiatea-Taha’a, the boat is often more practical and economical. The Aratai Ferry is a ferry that connects several Society Islands for long stays.
Should you prioritize plane or ferry?
➡️ It all depends on the distance and the time you have available. For long trips, the plane is fast and reliable. For short distances or trips within the same lagoon, the boat is more flexible and economical. The Aratai Ferry is mainly suitable for travelers with plenty of time, as the crossings are long.
Is it easy to create a loop itinerary?
➡️ Yes, but it requires good coordination. Some routes are not available every day, or only exist in one direction. To avoid planning issues, we recommend staying at least 4 nights per island.
What is the Apetahi Ferry 30-day pass?
➡️ The 30-day pass costs 30,000 CFP (~250 €) and allows you to travel freely on all ferry routes for a month. It’s ideal for those who want to explore all the Society Islands at their own pace. However, you need to plan for the time for each crossing, which can last several hours.
What should I do in case of cancellation or bad weather?
➡️ If you booked your flights independently, you’ll need to contact the airlines yourself to rebook. If you used a local travel agency, they’ll handle the changes for you—usually much faster and with less stress.
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