Your Travel Guide to the Tahitian Islands
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Transfers in Tahiti
The majority of tourists that visit this tropical paradise come here by plane. The Tahiti-Faa’a International Airport is situated on the main island of Tahiti. All of the main hotels and resorts on Tahiti are close by and easily accessible from this airport, which is the only international airport in French Polynesia.
From here, you can board other flights with Air Tahiti to travel to other parts of this island nation, such as Bora Bora Island.
The domestic Air Tahiti terminal is immediately accessible after you land at Tahiti-Faa’a International Airport. Inter-island flights are offered by Air Tahiti between the islands and atolls of French Polynesia.
Check with your airline for timetables and information. We advise scheduling your connecting flights and airport transfers in advance with a trusted travel professional when making travel arrangements.
Transfers between Islands in French Polynesia
When you arrive in Tahiti, you might choose to go straight to your hotel or resort, or you might have another island on the itinerary, such as Moorea and Bora Bora. No matter where you’re going, it’s simple to arrange connecting flights and other forms of transportation inside the Tahiti Islands.
The primary means of transport between islands is the domestic airline Air Tahiti. Daily regular flights operate to and from Papeete’s international airport.
How to get from Tahiti to Moorea Island?
Moorea is an island located in the Society Islands of French Polynesia, in the Pacific Ocean. To get from Tahiti, the capital and largest island of French Polynesia, to Moorea, you have a few options:
Take a ferry
The most popular way to get from Tahiti to Moorea is to take a ferry. The ferry ride takes about 15 to 30 minutes and operates several times a day. You can catch the ferry from Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, and it will take you to the main town of Moorea, called Vaiare.
Take a domestic flight
Another option is to fly from Tahiti to Moorea. Air Tahiti operates flights from Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti to Moorea several times a day. The flight takes about 10 minutes.
Take a private boat or water taxi
If you prefer a more personalized experience, you can also hire a private boat or water taxi to take you from Tahiti to Moorea. This can be a more expensive option, but it can be a good choice if you want to travel at your own pace or have a lot of luggage.
How to get from Tahiti to Bora Bora?
To get from Tahiti Island to Bora Bora, you have three options:
Take a domestic flight
The most popular way to get from Tahiti to Bora Bora is to fly. Air Tahiti operates flights from Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti to Bora Bora several times a day. The flight takes about 50 minutes.
Take a ferry
Another option is to take a ferry from Tahiti to Bora Bora. However, this option is less popular as it involves a long journey and is generally more expensive. A ferry like the Vaeara’i (read more below) takes about 10 hours and operates several times a week. You can catch the ferry from Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, and it will take you to the main town of Bora Bora, called Vaitape.
Rent a boat or catamaran
If you prefer a more personalized experience, you can also hire a private boat or catamaran to take you from Tahiti to Moorea. This can be a more expensive option, but it can be a good choice if you want to travel at your own pace or have a lot of luggage.
It’s worth noting that the availability of these options may vary depending on the time of year and other factors, so it’s always a good idea to check with the ferry company, airline, or local travel agent for the most up-to-date information
Air Tahiti domestic flights – Island hopping-pass
Want to travel to multiple islands at once? Selecting one of the Air Tahiti Passes will allow you to affordably explore a variety of islands in the various French Polynesian archipelagos.
Additionally, Air Tahiti offers two extensions that, when combined with a pass, allow you to travel to the Austral Islands and a portion of the Marquesas Islands.
The various island hopping passes are budget friendly and cover the most popular islands.
The following Islands can be reached: Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Maupiti, Tikehau, Rangiroa, Fakarava, Rurutu, Tubuai, Rimatara, Nuku Hiva, Hiva Ou, Raivavae, Rimatara.
Depending on the season, a round-trip ticket from Tahiti to Moorea might cost anything from $100 to well over $400.
Ferry transfer between Tahiti and Moorea
1. Aremiti ferry
Aremiti is a ferry shipping company between Tahiti and Moorea scheduled 7 to 10 times per day. It operates with high-speed vessels including Aremiti 6 and Aremiti Ferry 2.
While the Aremiti 6 exclusively carries passengers, the Aremiti Ferry 2 can transport cars.
The Aremiti Ferry costs about $15 USD per adult for a one-way ticket. Children and seniors cost about $10 USD one-way. Tickets can be booked online, and are valid for one year.
Aremiti 5 ferry, Image ©Aremiti
2. Terevau ferry
There is a daily ferry service from Tahiti to Moorea that travels there in about 30 minutes. The high-speed Terevau ferry operates daily between Tahiti and Moorea with the option of taking a bicycle, scooter, or car across too.
For a one-way ticket, Terevau charges roughly $11 USD per person. Seniors will pay close to $10 USD and children will pay roughly $6 USD.
Tickets can be booked online, and reservations are recommended especially for weekends.
Teravau ferry, Image ©Teravau
Cruises around the Tahitian Islands
1. Paul Gauguin Cruises
Among the most opulent and well-liked inter-island cruises are Paul Gauguin Cruises. Up to 332 passengers can board the company’s stylish ship, which has spacious decks, cozy accommodations, and an outdoor pool. A wide range of watersports, including kayaking, paddle boarding, and scuba diving, are also available to visitors.
Paul Gauguin Cruise Ship, Image ©Paul Gauguin Cruises
2. Windstar Cruises
If you’ve ever wanted to cruise the Pacific, Tahiti’s Windstar Cruises gives you the chance to do so while you discover the tropical islands while the sails are billowing white. Even though the ship is smaller than a typical cruise ship, a Windstar vacation is everything from typical when it comes to intimacy and romance.
3. Aranui
For more than 30 years, Aranui Cruises, the first cruise line in French Polynesia, has been presenting intrepid travelers to the captivating Marquesas Islands.
The 2015 introduction of the passenger-freighter Aranui 5 was entirely original. delivering freight to distant locations while combining the amenities and luxuries of a cruise ship.
Only 230 people can board this boutique ship, which provides a cozy and informal environment for visitors to experience French Polynesia.
Aranui Cruise Ship, Image ©Aranui
4. Vaeara’i
The Vaeara’i connects the Raromata’i (Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora, and Maupiti) from the very beginning. But not only that—it also serves as a bridge between Moorea and Tahiti, a trip that takes 50 minutes from dock to dock.
The ship can handle rough seas and provides the utmost comfort during journeys thanks to its navigation stabilizers.
The Vaeara’i can carry 675 passengers. There is a restaurant and a bar where you may sample or reexperience the flavors of our islands. Vaeara’i provides a 50-seat VIP lounge on the voyages to Moorea.
This specially built space is furnished with wide recliners stretched out in a lounge, perfect for groups or a family vacation in peace. The Vaeara’i is a popular choice for moving automobiles and cargo. On two levels, it has enough for 8 trucks, 70 vehicles, or, on the days of departure of the long weekends, 105 vehicles.
Tickets can be booked online here.
Vaearai cruise ferry, Image ©Vaearai
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I buy a tickets for a ferry?
There are two common ways that you can buy a ferry ticket:
- online at the ferry’s website
- in person at the ferry terminal in Papeete.
If you buy an online ticket print it out or have it stored as PDF or JPG on your smartphone.
Can I rent a car at the Faa Airport and go on a ferry?
If you want to transport a rental car across to Moorea, you can also rent a car at the airport and drive it to the ferry terminal. Renting a car on Tahiti Island rather than Moorea will save you money on a rental car as well as on taxi fares.
What is the most affordable way to get from Tahiti to Moorea?
The most affordable way to get from Tahiti to Moorea is by ferry which will cost you around $11 to $15 only. If you have just arrived at the international airport on Tahiti, you would also need also a taxi ride to the ferry terminal in Papeete, which is approx $20 to $25.
Are there ferry’s operation between Tahiti and Bora Bora?
Unfortunately, there are no ferry services between the islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora. In order to get from Tahiti or Moorea to Bora Bora, you will need to fly with Air Tahiti or the new Air Moana.
How far is the ferry terminal from the Faaa airport?
The distance from Faaa airport to the Papeete ferry terminal is around 4.4 miles (7 kilometers), or 10 minutes by automobile. You can choose between hiring a car, taking a taxi, or using public transportation to get there.