Ongoing discussions · French Polynesia

Hi there, I’m explaining our situation—my daughter and her young family have just moved to Polynesia, specifically to the island of Raiatea. That’s great, of course, and my wife and I are planning to visit them. However, flights that go through the United States are causing us a problem because we’ve been to Cuba. I think we’ll need a visa because of that. Has anyone else dealt with this situation before? Any advice on flights and visas would be really helpful. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the scattered info out there and I'm struggling to organize my solo trip to French Polynesia. I'm all about snorkeling—no hiking for me—so it's all about the water, water, water... I'd love to meet whales (what's the best season?), stay with locals or in budget guesthouses (I'm pretty low-key, no worries about comfort), and most importantly, be as close to the coral reefs as possible (all day long...).

I'm retired, so I've got plenty of time... If you can help, it would mean the world to me. Thanks everyone! !

Hi there, We’re planning a trip to Polynesia and would love to hear your thoughts on this destination—especially spots that are charming but not too touristy, with access to paradise-like beaches... If we could avoid falling into the usual tourist traps for once, that’d be great! I can’t wait to read your replies... Just one last thing—Tahiti is a dream for me. I want to see the Tiare flower with my own eyes, visit pearl farms, and maybe even check out vanilla plantations... This will be the trip of a lifetime, and I already know it’ll be unforgettable. If you help me out, that’d be amazing! Thanks so much!