Family holidays in French Polynesia 2026

For a family holiday, Fiji is the cheaper option, while French Polynesia is a more peaceful destination with beautiful scenery. Fiji has many large resorts with kids’ clubs, the flight time from Australia and New Zealand is short, and prices are generally affordable. French Polynesia, on the other hand, offers quieter lagoons and overwater bungalows, as well as far fewer tourists, though it is more expensive, and the trip there takes longer.

Yes, this place is especially recommended for families with children who are good swimmers or with babies who sleep for long stretches during the day. Since the lagoon is located inside a coral reef, the water here is shallow and warm, and there are practically no waves, making it ideal for snorkelling and floating on inflatable boards. Older children can go diving, take lagoon tours, and go on hikes. The trade-off is that the area is remote, the nightlife is limited, and there are virtually no attractions besides the sea, so pick a place you’ll enjoy.

For most families, the island of Moorea is the ideal choice. There, you can enjoy beaches with shallow waters and strolls through pineapple fields, as well as go on excursions with dolphins and stingrays—and it’s just a few minutes by ferry from the island of Tahiti. Bora Bora suits families who want to stay in an overwater bungalow to fully enjoy the lagoon. Tahiti itself has supermarkets and hospitals, and since it offers the widest selection of guesthouses, the island is particularly well-suited for an overnight stay on the day of arrival or departure.

From May through October, the dry season reigns—the perfect time for a family holiday. Days are warm but not too hot, humidity is lower, and the lagoon water is crystal-clear and ideal for snorkelling. From November through April, there is more rainfall, humidity is high, and there is a risk of cyclones, though the rains usually pass quickly. Since school holidays in July and August fall during the dry season, you should book accommodation for this period well in advance.

As a general guideline, plan for a stay of 10 to 14 nights. Flights from the UK go through Los Angeles, Paris, or Auckland, and the flight there alone takes more than a day, so on a short trip, too much time will be spent travelling to and from the destination. In 2 weeks, you can explore 2 or 3 islands at a leisurely pace. Families with young children often limit themselves to 2 places to stay and instead take additional day trips by ferry.

The culinary offerings here are more diverse than at most other beach resorts. Resorts typically offer room only or room and breakfast as the basic package, while half-board and full-board are available as additional options. This is because the selection of restaurants outside the resort is limited. In family-oriented guesthouses, known as pensions, breakfast is often included in the room rate, and some even have a kitchen. Access to the lagoon, snorkelling gear, and kayaks are widely available, while kids’ clubs are found mainly at large resorts.