Transport > Ferry Travel > French Polynesia

Ferry Travel in French Polynesia

There is a very comprehensive network of ferry services in French Polynesia. Most of the islands have some sort of regular boat service ranging from small cargo boats calling at some of the more remote islands to air-conditioned catamarans which ply the Society Islands.

Moorea has the most frequent connections with Tahiti with a multitude of fast ferries connecting the two islands in around 30 minutes.

The most frequent and luxurious ferry is the Ono-Ono - a high-speed catamaran which connects Tahiti with the rest of the Society Islands. The Ono-Ono has stops at Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Tahaa. The Vaeanu is a cheaper alternative which departs from Papeete every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

There are also plenty of boats to the Tuamotu and Marquesa islands which also depart from Papeete. You won't have the luxury or speed of the Ono-Ono but you'll experience far more and get a chance to see islands rarely visited by other tourists. You should allow plenty of time to travel to the outlying islands - a return trip from Papeete to the Marquesas can easily take more than two weeks and it can be a week or two until the next boat. Check the ferry offices around the port in Papeete for more information on these ferries.

Ferry Travel: Fiji | French Polynesia | New Caledonia | New Zealand