The 5 Islands of Tahiti Most Tourists Never Visit (And Why You Should)

When people say 'Tahiti,' they almost always mean Bora Bora. Maybe Moorea. But French Polynesia encompasses 118 islands scattered across an ocean area the size of Western Europe, and the ones tourists skip are often the most extraordinary.

After booking hundreds of Tahiti trips for Bay Area clients, I've learned that the travelers who venture beyond Bora Bora always come back saying it was the best decision they made. These five islands offer the same stunning beauty at lower prices, with virtually no crowds and experiences you simply can't have on the popular islands.

Each of these islands offers something unique that Bora Bora and Moorea can't match.

Huahine is my personal favorite island in all of French Polynesia, and it's the one I recommend most to clients who've already done Bora Bora. This lush, mountainous island has ancient Polynesian temples hidden in the jungle, a sacred lagoon where blue-eyed eels are hand-fed by local guides, and some of the best surf breaks in the South Pacific.

The pace here is authentically slow—not manufactured resort-slow, but genuine island-life-slow. You'll stay at small, locally owned pensions or the elegant Royal Huahine, eat at family-run restaurants where the fish was caught that morning, and explore archaeological sites that predate European contact by centuries.

Best of all? Huahine costs roughly 40-60% less than Bora Bora for a comparable quality experience.

The easiest way to experience these islands is to combine them with Bora Bora or Moorea. Here's how to plan it.