Beyond the hypnotic blue of its lagoons and its never-crowded beaches, French Polynesia hides lesser-known wonders scattered across its inland territories, its skies, and its ancestral past. A kaleidoscope of experiences that surprises and satisfies the traveler who, from a holiday, expects not only dreamlike seas but also the chance to explore an unfamiliar land, venture along unbeaten paths, try new activities, and give meaning to the place they visit by discovering its history and deepest values.
From climbing and volcanic trekking to exploring archaeological sites rich in spiritual energy, from slow journeys along navigable rivers to spotting endemic species, each experience reveals a new and surprising side of the islands.
Volcanic trekking: walking into the islands’ core | Tahiti
Trekking routes unfold like arteries leading into the heart of the “high” islands, where ancient volcanoes have left behind towering peaks and wide valleys covered in lush tropical vegetation, enriched by waterfalls whose ancestral energy seems to reach directly into the soul. Among these trails, one of the most striking in Tahiti is the Lavatubes: a world suspended between fire and time.
The tunnels, carved by lava thousands of years ago, wind like secret corridors through the mountains, guiding explorers past smooth volcanic rock and mysterious caves that preserve the island’s geological history. In some sections, small natural pools capture and reflect torchlight, creating a magical, almost surreal atmosphere.
Climbing ancient rock walls: feeling the island’s heartbeat beneath your hands | Makatea
The cliffs of Makatea rise like silent guardians over an island suspended between sky and sea. The limestone walls, shaped by millennia, offer climbing routes that challenge and enchant at the same time, with sudden overhangs and rock faces polished by the wind.
Each ascent becomes a dialogue with nature: your breath blends with the scent of tropical vegetation growing in the cracks, while your gaze drifts toward the ocean shimmering on the horizon.
During the Makatea Vertical Adventure—a festival celebrating climbing and outdoor life—climbers from around the world gather each year to share the same emotions, a mix of adrenaline and wonder. It’s an experience that touches both senses and soul: feeling suspended between rock and sky, with the beating heart of the island beneath your hands.
The archaeological secrets of the Islands of Tahiti: marae and tiki | Marquesas Islands
In the Islands of Tahiti, archaeology is not merely history—it is an invitation to immerse yourself in the mysteries of an ancient civilization that left indelible marks on the landscape. Among the marae of Raiatea and Tahiti, ceremonial stone complexes, one can still sense the breath of ancient rituals and the deep bond with the ancestors.
In the Marquesas Islands, the atmosphere becomes even more enigmatic: among towering cliffs and hidden valleys lie spectacular archaeological sites, guardians of ancient symbols and myths, which helped earn the islands their UNESCO World Heritage status.
Among them stands the Lipona archaeological site on Hiva Oa, home to the largest collection of tiki in the Islands of Tahiti. Carved from volcanic rock, the tiki rise as silent guardians of time; the tallest, Takai’i, reaches 3 meters and honors an ancient warrior chief, watching over the others across an area of more than 1,200 square meters. Walking among these treasures, it is impossible not to feel the mana— the ancestral energy that connects all things in the islands— enveloping visitors in an intense, almost spiritual experience.
A journey along the country’s only navigable river | Raiatea
Gliding along the Faaroa River, the only navigable river in French Polynesia, feels like entering a hidden world where nature reigns supreme and time seems to slow down.
By kayak or paddleboard, travelers move along calm waters reflecting Raiatea’s lush jungle, surrounded by birdsong and the gentle rustling of leaves in the tropical breeze.
It’s an experience that blends adventure with harmony, allowing visitors to perceive the island not only as a destination, but as a living ecosystem to explore slowly.
Birdwatching among rare species and tropical landscapes | Tetiaroa
The Islands of Tahiti thrive on unique ecosystems—fascinating underwater, on land, and even in the skies. Looking up, it’s not unusual to spot birds moving among the trees like flashes of color in motion.
On Tetiaroa, on the motu Tahuna—also known as Bird Island—one can observe up to 15 bird species, many of which nest in this protected corner. Among the most spectacular are: Brown boobies, performing elegant aerial maneuvers against the blue sky; Red-tailed tropicbirds, dancing above the vegetation with their long red tail feathers and White terns, famous for laying their eggs directly on branches without building a nest
Along the coasts and among the mangroves live more elusive species, such as the Pacific Reef Egret (‘otu’u)—in both gray and white varieties—and the Pacific Golden Plover, a tireless migrant that stops here along its routes.
Whether walking along the beach or observing from a boat on a day trip, the feeling is that of being a privileged spectator of a natural ballet, where birds glide, nest, and circle in small groups, immersed in an atmosphere of ancient and almost untouched peace.
For more inspiration about The Islands of Tahiti, visit www.tahititourisme.it