From Moorea to the Tuamotus, These Beaches Stand Apart

With 118 islands scattered around its region of South Pacific, French Polynesia boasts some incredible beaches. The sand varies widely, from pristine white to soft pink and striking black. Here’s a closer look at the best beaches in Tahiti.

Tahiti

Outside the capital, Papeete, the western and eastern coasts of Tahiti, the largest island of French Polynesia, are adorned with beautiful strands—many featuring black sand. Numerous lovely beaches are near top resorts, including elegant Lafayette Beach, which sits adjacent to the Radisson Plaza Tahiti Resort.

Nonetheless, some beaches remain less commercialized. For instance, the half-mile-long Plage de Toaroto is perfect for snorkeling enthusiasts, and Venus Point Beach, with its black sand, features a lighthouse and park. Surfers typically prefer the waves at Papanoo Beach on the rugged north coast, along with the challenging surf at Teahupoo Beach in the less-visited Tahiti-Iti region.

Moorea

While renowned for its stunning emerald-green peaks, lush Moorea also offers delightful beaches. The island features top-notch resorts with access to splendid white and black-sand shores.

However, public beaches are easily accessible, and one of the favorites is the half-mile long Opunohu Beach, often filled with local families picnicking on weekends. Don’t miss Teavora and Temae beaches, which seamlessly merge along the east coast, and Hauru Point, a winding, three-mile stretch on the west coasts.

Bora Bora

Notably, what distinguishes Bora Bora, the most famous Tahitian island, is less about its beaches and more about the beautiful sandy motus (tiny islets) surrounding its iconic lagoon.

Many motus now house Bora Bora’s premier resorts, featuring overwater bungalows extending from white-sand beaches into the lagoon. Guests can enjoy remarkable beach experiences without leaving their resorts, benefiting from bar and food service, along with convenient snorkeling right from the beach.

Some motus, like Motu Tapu, are too small for resorts but offer ideal spots for day trips organized by resorts, including gourmet picnics, snorkeling adventures, and exciting shark and stingray feeding experiences.

The one public beach on Bora Bora is Matira Beach, a picturesque one-mile-long stretch located at Matira Point on the southern tip of the island.

Taha’a

Like its nearby counterpart, Bora Bora, Taha’a is a lush, flower-shaped island recognized for its vanilla farms, surrounded by tiny motus. These islets are fringed with untouched white-sand beaches. Guests can inquire at their resorts about boat transfers to idyllic “deserted isles,” perfect for snorkeling and picnicking, often combined with thrilling shark and ray feeding experiences.

The Tuamotus

The Tuamotus, consisting of small coral-and-sand atolls, with Rangiroa, Tikehau, Fakarava, and Manihi being the most frequented, are essentially all about beach experiences. This makes them a paradise for those seeking relaxation on a chaise lounge with sunscreen at hand.

Rangiroa, in particular, features a necklace of 240 tiny sand motus encircling a lagoon celebrated for its exceptional diving opportunities, matched with expansive sandy areas to explore. Picturesque Tikehau, home to just 400 residents, is renowned for its serene pink-sand beaches and excellent snorkeling just offshore, providing an unforgettable experience.