With colourful reefs, long white sand beaches and some of the most striking blue waters imaginable, The Islands of Tahiti already provide travellers with countless reasons to visit.
For those seeking something a bit different, the destination offers the ultimate opportunity to explore multiple islands with its 118 islands and atolls spread across a vast area of the South Pacific.
It’s now even easier to explore different islands thanks to the new direct flights from Sydney to Papeete with Air Tahiti Nui launching in December.
Travellers can land in the morning in Tahiti and continue to the next part of their journey on the same day.
If you’re considering island hopping or seeking out lesser-known destinations and experiences, these updates are bound to inspire you to start planning your trip.
Air Tahiti renews essential services to isolated archipelagos
The domestic airline has renewed its public service contract with the French Polynesian Government to ensure the continuity of air links to 34 islands across French Polynesia’s most remote archipelagos, including the Tuamotu, Australes, Gambier and Marquesas.
For travellers arriving on Air Tahiti Nui’s new direct Sydney–Papeete service, the renewed contract helps ensure seamless onward access to some of French Polynesia’s most remote islands.
The contract, now extended until August 31, guarantees ongoing connectivity for destinations that would otherwise have limited or no regular air access. A new long-term contract is expected to be signed in the coming months.
Improved access to Maupiti with new air-sea partnership
Island hopping to Maupiti (above, courtesy Michael Runkel) has now become easier through a new partnership between Air Tahiti and the maritime company Apetahi Express.
The collaboration introduces a single-ticket journey that combines an Air Tahiti flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora with an Apetahi Express ferry crossing from Bora Bora to Maupiti, making travel between the islands easier than ever.
Responding to a growing demand for inter-island travel, the new service adds three extra return connections each week, increasing the total number of weekly services to Maupiti from five to eight.
Customers can book the combined air-sea ticket through Air Tahiti agencies or the airline’s remote sales service up to three days before departure.
Air Moana adds fourth aircraft to meet travel demand
The local airline has expanded its fleet with the arrival of a fourth ATR 72 aircraft, giving travellers more choice across inter-island routes across French Polynesia.
The new aircraft, named Poereva, meaning “the pearl of the journey”, joins the airline’s existing fleet and will initially replace one aircraft while it undergoes scheduled maintenance before offering more seats and improved connectivity throughout the region.
Simplified travel with a single ticket from Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti
Multi-destination travel has now been made easier as Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti launch a single ticket combining international and inter-island flights to Bora Bora and Rarotonga.
Travellers can now book a single ticket covering both an international flight on Air Tahiti Nui routes (from Australia, Europe, the United States, Japan, or New Zealand) and an inter-island flight to their final destination, Bora Bora or Rarotonga, operated by Air Tahiti.
First-ever visit to Taiarapu-Ouest with Aranui Cruises
Travellers aboard the Aranui had a chance to explore a lesser-known side of Tahiti for the first time ever, in late May.
Calling at Taiarapu-Ouest, passengers were welcomed at the new Te Hono Nui park at Pointe Riri in Toahotu and embarked on a “gourmet tour” to discover the region’s culture, flavours and natural beauty.
The visit marks an exciting step in the development of tourism on the Presqu’île, a region known for its lush landscapes, dramatic coastline and authentic local experiences.
The tourism committee and Aranui Cruises are now planning one to two annual calls from 2027 with the company’s next vessel, the Aranoa, offering even more opportunities to explore this scenic part of Tahiti.
Paul Gauguin Museum set to reopen
For travellers interested in art, culture and Polynesian history, a must-visit attraction is scheduled to reopen in late 2026, located within the lush botanical gardens of Papeari.
Designed as an immersive experience, the museum will bring the artist’s life and work to life through films, soundscapes, large-scale reproductions, interactive displays and reconstructed living spaces inspired by both his Parisian apartment and Polynesian home.
Visitors will also be able to explore archive materials, scale models and digital collections throughout the exhibition.
Main image: Maupiti. Courtesy Michael Runkel
