17 days in Society Islands Itinerary

Aside from boasting French Polynesia's two most famous islands, Tahiti and Bora Bora, Society Islands offer visitors a range of experiences, from intimate seclusion to vibrant urban centers. Some islands in the archipelago are emerald-clad mountains, decorated with deep valleys, clear streams, and tumbling waterfalls. Others barely rise above the ocean, with little more than white sand beaches crowned by swaying palms. Coral reefs form turquoise lagoons teeming with life, and thatched huts squat on stilts just above the water's rippling surface, perfect for honeymooning couples. On the larger islands, the pace picks up, with world-class resorts, spas, fine dining, nightclubs, vibrant markets, and merchants selling the local black pearls.

On the tattered triangle of Mo'orea, green peaks and ridges jut up out of the flat, fertile valleys. Hiking routes take you past tumbling waterfalls and ferny cliffs, to villages painted pastel and gardens filled with hibiscus. Birds of paradise fly from tree to tree, while rays, sharks, and fish of every color flit among the protective coral reefs around the island. Swim in the irresistibly warm, translucent waters of the lagoon, and head to the tiki village at night, where grass-skirted dancers shake their hips to thunderous percussion and fire dancers trace glowing trails against the darkness.