Knowing which island is the best for your needs is the most crucial part. With over 1000 Polynesian islands, this top 10 list makes your work even easier.
1. Fakarava
Image credit: Grand Escapades
This island gets this first spot mainly because of its diverse ecosystem. The island is also referred to as “End of the world” this is maybe because you will be most fulfilled after having a holiday on this island.
The island is a biosphere reserve marked by UNESCO to preserve rare species. With very few island inhabitants of about 400 people, the natural environment is virtually untouched by human inhabitation. This makes it the best island to experience the natural environment at its best.
Over water, bungalows are banned from being constructed because they have a history of degrading coral in the ocean. Instead, these bungalows are constructed a few meters from the ocean making it the perfect place to fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean waves crashing just outside your window.
Pearl farming is also practiced in Farakava offering genuine opportunities for tourists to explore the pearl trade. For scuba diving lovers, this is the best place to go for a world class diving experience. Swimming is also a common activity for tourists at magical spots like the Alibaba Canyon. The island is also famous for its pink sand beaches.
2. Taha’a Island
Image credit: Welcome Tahiti
The Taha’a Island is also among one of the best and most attractive among the many Polynesian islands. The island is a major exporting zone among the Society Islands. Taha’a Island has a friendly ecosystem far off from most of other islands and tourist destinations. It has a good variety of flora and fauna.
Vanilla and black pearls are among the local products making it a distinctive island. The island also has vanilla beans that are perfect. The resorts available offer value for your money. the resorts also give you very good deals like free kayak, paddle boats and snorkeling equipment.
The architecture of the island includes a variety of world class bungalows for accommodation. It has a lagoon and makes a perfect view of the ocean life surrounding the beautiful island.
The island also has a professional set of chefs which will easily make most visitors rank the island with five stars in quality of services offered. The best restaurant is simply Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa, which is a resort on it’s own private island located right next to the island of Taha’a
A good scene of the aquatic life in the ocean can also be something to enjoy around the island with various fish species seen during the day. It is also a good island for hosting your honeymoon with adequate facilities for the whole family.
3. The Rangiroa Island
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Rangiroa Island is also named the ” infinite lagoon” due to the high population around the lagoon of the island. It has one of the coolest lagoons among the Society Islands. Rangiroa Island is also home to a top of the range wine industry.
Divers who visit the island can get to swim around the lagoon and enjoy seeing a variety of ocean creatures that include tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks, dolphins and green turtles just to mention a few. Top quality fresh coconuts are one of the delicacies you can enjoy when in Rangiroa.
The Rangiroa Island is unique because it has a string of islets that enclose the large lagoon. Some of the Polynesian islands that also share this feature of a lake in the middle of the ocean are Tikehau, Fakarava, and Manihi although Rangiroa is the best ranked in terms of travel and leisure.
Image credit: Eric Benacek
The local tribe of Rangiroa is welcoming and anyone can easily mingle and share their history. This island can be quite a catch if in need of documenting life around a lagoon. It is also precise in the knowledge of making wine from specific vines growing along the lagoon. The island has a local winery which offers pocket-friendly prices for premium wine
4. Apataki
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The Apataki is an island belonging to the Palliser group of Islands. With an area larger than 300 square miles it is the world’s most massive chain of atolls. The island has no hotels but it is a must go for tourists who love both coral and marine life. It has a non-developed tourism industry but has an airport despite its small size geographically.
The Apataki island is ideal for scuba divers and snorkelers. The lagoon in the atoll is only accessible by two narrow passes. Tourists can always go around the island using small ships or boats that are readily available on the island. The waters are clear making most fish visible under the sun.
It is also easy and fun taking pictures of the marine life over the clear waters. The locals of this island are also good in navigation using stars and other heavenly bodies, especially at night. This can be quite a skill to learn at your leisure time.
5. Maupiti Island
Image credit: Banker In The Sun
Maupiti Island is quite conservational and thus nicknamed the preserved island. It is small but has one of the best outdoor feelings of authenticity for a tourist. It has very friendly locals with a lagoon that many die to see. There are no large restaurants on the island but the locals offer nice family pensions for tourists and other visitors.
The food here is natural and plenty making it a top ten tourist destination. The island is full of nice scented tropical flowers that will definitely leave a memory for any visitor. The island of Maupiti has nice hiking roads with sceneries such as the mount Teurafaatiu.
Small beaches are formed along the long lagoon which you can walk along with your partner making it an ideal islands for romance. The beach here is beautiful with multiple views of giant manta rays as they crawl to the water. It has five islets for boat rides and picnics. This island is a small paradise and most people who have visited compared it to the Bora Bora islands.
Maupiti Island is ideal for any person interested in the historic volcanic activity and its results. The island also has archeological sites and a rich busy coral.
6. Fatu Hiva Island
Image credit: Zen Voyager
The Fatu Hiva Island is full of natural fauna and Fiona. It also has a rich culture which involves tattooing. In fact, the best tattoo artists in the Polynesian region are known to come from Fatu Hiva Island.
Tourists and visitors are always amazed at the display of artwork on the locals bodies that cover from head to toe. The island is believed to have influenced Westerners in terms of tattooing their bodies. However, the tattoos on the locals are believed to tell a story of their mythology.
The island is partly mountainous offering the best environment for trekkers. The weather on this particular southern Pacific island of Fatu Hiva is quite hot during the day. The valleys and mountains give a unique photo site for any tourist who loves the rugged outdoors.
Although climbing may prove to be challenging, the view on this islands mountains tells a lot. Other islands can be seen with a bare eye however an advanced pair of binoculars can prove quite handy. The Fatu Hiva is indeed a top tourist Island that many long to visit as it is said to have the most spectacular and beautiful yacht anchorages.
7. Bora Bora
Image credit: Steve Corey
The Bora Bora Island is an island of stunning beauty. It has great mountains like Mount Pahia and Mount Oetmanu. Other main features of this island are an outstanding lagoon, cool beaches, and a tropical forest.
The town in the Island offers a variety of sea foods and also plenty of fresh air. Restaurants and hotels on the island are of good caliber as they also have 3 and 5-star restaurants. The coastline is long and lush with welcoming black sand. Boats and yachts are also available for hire to enjoy what the ocean offers best.
The waters of Tahiti are also full of life with most tourists diving in the water for black pearls or snorkel. Surfing is also one of the activities that have made more people visit this exquisite Island, from top professionals to mere beginners.
Divers are also regular on their tourist maps when they visit Tahiti Island to get a full view of the rare black tipped reef sharks and different varieties of sting rays. Another tourist activity you can partake in this great Island is the regular 4 by 4 excursions in the Papenoo Valley.
8. Manihi Island
Image credit: Welcome Tahiti
The Island of Manihi is loved for its rare landscape among other factors like its rich cultural history. This coral atoll of Manihi Island is a dream destination among Polynesia Islands. Manihi Island is for those who truly like native foods more than the imported foods.
The Island of Manihi is surrounded by salty waters serene for the growth of pearls. The farming of the pearls began as early as 1968, with the island being the first site for Tahiti’s first black pearl farm.
Besides visiting the Pearl farm. Visitors explore the lagoon and the biggest village Turipaoa. Because this island is far from the modern world, the environment is serene and perfect for taking walks around the town square. To experience a peaceful and romantic moment, a walk along the coral paths is recommended. The lagoon found in this island gives life to numerous creatures among them the coral reefs.
Most visitors stay at the pearl beach Manihi resort which is a five-star facility. The resort has overwater bungalows in the famous lagoon of Manihi. The island also has one airfield located close to the main village Turipaoa.
9. Hiva Oa
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This island is part of the Marquesas Islands famously known as the’ mysterious islands’. When you visit this island beware you may be tempted to stay for longer than intended or even indefinitely. This is just like the famous story of Gaugin and Brel who did not leave after visiting the island.
The island has breathtaking views of untamed landscapes. You can traverse the island by taking a hike, riding a horse or even driving a 4 by 4. Archaeological monuments are found all over the island like the giant stone tiki statues. This can be a great island for leisure and historical studies of the natives in this Polynesian island. In addition, the local people are known for their rich culture, friendliness, and hospitality.
For exploration lovers, you get to uncover the secret beaches which can be found bay after bay. They are termed secret because they are well tucked in the natural landscape of Hiva Oa. Boat riding and surfing in this island are also an important activity that you can do.
10. Easter Island
Image credit: Lee Coursey
The Easter Island is located more than 1,000 miles from the nearest land and more than 2,000 miles from Chile. This island is probably the most remote inhabited island in the world. This goes a long way to explaining the lack of luxurious five-star facilities on the island.
The island is also referred as Rapa Nui. Although luxury tourism is not encouraged to this island, tourism is the main source of income to the people of this island.
The islands main tourist attraction is the Moai or the giant stone statues found all over the island. The statues are huge and interesting study items. These stone statues consisting of heads and also torsos were carved by ancient inhabitants of the Easter Island. These stone statues are more than 8oo in number the largest of which is the Ahu Tongariki.
Tourists visiting this island can also enjoy the tropical beaches found around the island. Hiking is also a major activity where you can take in the scenic views the island has to offer.
