It took me a couple of trips to stop thinking of French Polynesia as one destination and start seeing it as five quite different island groups. Once that clicked, planning got far easier, because each group answers a different kind of traveller. I have flown out to most of them, and the contrast between a Society Islands lagoon and a Marquesan valley still surprises me. The Air Tahiti Pass is what stitches these groups into a single trip without endless separate bookings. Here is how I tell the groups apart when I help someone plan.
The Society Islands, where most trips begin
The Society Islands are the names most people know: Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a. They hold most of the overwater bungalows and the easiest connections, which is why nearly every first trip lives here. If you want lagoons, short flights and a gentle introduction, this is the group I start with.
Within the Societies you still get real variety, from the busy lagoon of Bora Bora to the quieter, more local pace of Huahine.
The far-flung groups for travellers who want more
The Tuamotu atolls, like Rangiroa and Fakarava, are low rings of coral built for divers and snorkellers. The Marquesas, far to the north, are steep, green and deeply cultural, with little of the lagoon scenery people expect; they reward travellers who want history and drama over beaches. The Austral and Gambier groups are quieter still, off most itineraries, and suit people chasing something genuinely remote.
I am honest that these groups add flying time, and that they make most sense on longer trips or second visits.
Reaching the groups with the Air Tahiti Pass
The Air Tahiti Pass is a multi-island air pass from Air Tahiti, and the named passes are organised roughly around these groups, with options that reach the Marquesas or the Australs as well as the core Society Islands. At Far & Away Adventures we match the pass to the groups you actually want, so you are not paying to reach islands you will skip.
One caveat I always give: the routes, fares and schedules change through the year, so we confirm the current coverage when you book rather than relying on an older map.
Frequently asked questions
How many island groups does French Polynesia have?
Five: the Society Islands, the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, the Australs and the Gambier Islands. Most first trips stay within the Society Islands.
Which group is best for a first visit?
The Society Islands, because they hold most of the overwater bungalows and the easiest flight connections. The other groups suit longer or repeat trips.
Can one Air Tahiti Pass reach more than one group?
Some passes are designed to, but coverage depends on the pass and the season. Tell us which groups you want and we will confirm the current options when you book.
Planning a trip to French Polynesia? Tell us your islands and dates and we'll help you build the right Air Tahiti Pass flight pass and itinerary.