This is the country's main archipelago and includes the Windward Islands (including Tahiti and Moorea) and the Leeward Islands (including Raiatea, Bora Bora, and Taha'a). These islands owe their beauty to the perfect harmony between deep, verdant valleys of tropical vegetation, 2,000-meter peaks that are the remains of once-active volcanoes, and bays of the whitest sand contrasting with a celestial sea. Tahiti is the heart of French Polynesia; in addition to being the gateway, it is home to the capital city of Papeete. It is among the most vibrant islands where you can breathe deeply of the local culture. Sailing on the western side you will see white beaches, while on the eastern side you will see black beaches and volcanic craters.  

Second to Tahiti in importance is Bora Bora, the pearl of the Pacific. A small paradise consisting of volcanic peaks overlooking colorful lagoons. A hike to Mount Otemanu, the island's gentle giant, is not to be missed.

Tuamotu means "many islands," and indeed this archipelago has a plethora of them over more than 2,000 square kilometers. Some atolls are simple white beaches with a few acres of coconut palms, others are a bit larger (such as Rangiroa), peculiarly shaped (such as Manihi, the elliptical-shaped island), strikingly colored (such as Tikehau), and still others have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, such as Fakarava, a biosphere reserve. This archipelago is the birthplace of the legendary black pearl that grows inside a particular species of oyster. 

Rangiroa is the largest atoll in Polynesia and its name means "immense sky." It consists of 240 motu (small sandy islets) separated by more than 100 hoa (small channels). The reef length here is well over 200 kilometers.

The smallest and most isolated archipelago, located north of the Tropic of Capricorn, can be seen as a continuation of the Tuamotu archipelago. The main island is Mangareva where Mount Duff and Mokoto, the highest points of the archipelago, are located. The scenery is enchanting and offers a mix of different Polynesian landscapes: bright motu, magnificent white sand beaches, wonderful bays and coves, and pearl farms. A stunningly colored lagoon contains the entire archipelago and offers a heavenly perspective. 

The climate here is tropical, and only July and August are cool thanks to the ocean trade winds. 

The other best-known islands in the Gambier Archipelago are: Akamaru, Aukena, and Taravai, which are difficult to reach by public transfers but easy to visit with your own catamaran or sailboat.

About 1,500 kilometers away from Tahiti, the Marquesas Islands are located near the Equator, in the far north of French Polynesia. Here nature is the undisputed star. These islands are extremely mountainous and wild. In fact, the presence of man is limited to a few groups of people who reside permanently on only a few of these islands; only half of the islands are inhabited. The common characteristic of these islands is that they have rugged, current-swept coastlines and are dotted with many natural bays.

This archipelago is the most vibrant corner of culture in all of Polynesia; ancient rituals are still performed here and it is where the sacred art of tattooing originated and is still widespread today. 

Don't miss the Hakaui Valley, one of the island's main attractions, with its spectacular Vaipo Falls.

These are the islands located furthest south, below the Tropic of Capricorn. The fact that they are so off-center and untouched by tourism has allowed them to maintain a certain level of authenticity, as well as a cooler climate. Particular villages composed of coral stone dwellings can be found on these islands. They are considered a hotspot for whales; sailing in this area between June and October it is easy to encounter them. 

Among the islands in this archipelago, there is the very small Rimatara, which is almost completely surrounded by coral reefs that make it difficult for boats to dock.