Getting around — Society Islands

Movement between the Society Islands combines ferry (short Tahiti-Moorea hop), regional flights (Air Tahiti for Bora Bora and the Leeward Islands) and sailing cruise for multi-island trips.

From Papeete International Airport (PPT), internal links are operated mainly by Air Tahiti (the domestic carrier, not to be confused with Air Tahiti Nui). Tahiti → Moorea: 15 min, €40-60 one-way (but the ferry is more practical). Tahiti → Bora Bora: 50 min, €150-200 one-way. Tahiti → Raiatea, Huahine, Maupiti: 45 min, €100-150 one-way. The Air Tahiti passes (Bora Tiare 3 islands, Lagons 4 islands) save on multi-island combinations: €600-1,200 depending on the pass.

The Tahiti-Moorea ferry (Aremiti or Terevau) is the best option between Tahiti and Moorea: 30 min crossing, €17-25/person, multiple rotations daily from 6 am to 8 pm. Spacious, air-conditioned, with food service on board. More practical and economical than flying.

On each island, hiring a car (€40-80/day) or scooter (€25-50/day) is recommended for Tahiti and Moorea — even essential to explore freely the bays of Moorea and the island loop of Tahiti. In Bora Bora, a car is less necessary: motu hotels are reached only by water taxi (often included in the hotel package), and the main island (Vaitape) is small — a day on a scooter is enough to loop it.

On Tahiti, the Le Truck bus network covers Papeete and the north-western coastal zone for very low prices (€2-4/journey), but frequencies are limited and use remains complicated for visitors. Prefer a rental car or local ride-hailing apps (Te Mato Vai, the developing Uber).

For more adventurous trips through the Leeward Islands, a sailing or catamaran cruise from Raiatea (Dream Yacht Charter, The Moorings, Sunsail) is the most flexible and immersive option: 7-10 days, multiple anchorages in wild coves, freedom in scheduling. Allow €2,500-5,000/couple depending on comfort, season and skippered or bareboat.