French Polynesia - Leisure (AL 1 - 10) A Cruise of French Polynesia, Samoa, Fiji, Bay of Islands & Auckland
- Art_JustRetired50_Plus
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Our Irish experience and recommendations for a cruise holiday in the Pacific. A safe and secure way to initially see the islands.
This is an outline of our 21 day itinerary from our trip to Tahiti, Bora Bora, Samoa, Fiji, Bay of Islands in New Zealand and finally ending in Auckland.
Our itinerary for the 4 day stay in Papeete, Tahiti followed by a 17 day cruise calling leaving from Papeete (Day 1) and calling at Moorea (Day 2), Raiatea (Day3), Bora Bora (Day 4 -5), at sea (Day 6 - 7), arrive Samoa (Day 8 - 9 ), at sea from Samoa to Fiji (Day 10), Suva and Lautoka in Fiji (Day 11 - 12) at sea from Fiji to New Zealand (Day 13 - 14), Bay of Islands, New Zealand (Day 15), Auckland (Day 16), all on board the Seven Seas Navigator cruise ship. Finally on Day 17 departing from Auckland airport by plane back to Dublin (via Singapore and London).
The Navigator cruise ship offers ample activities for cruise passengers who like to go ashore on the port call days. Also, it caters for those who wish to remain on the cruise ship with planned activities throughout each day whether in port or at sea.
Tahiti, the largest island of French Polynesia, has a small, remote island economy that relies heavily on tourism, French financial support, and imports. These factors together explain why the cost of living — especially for visitors — is very high.
In short: Tahiti is expensive because it is remote, heavily dependent on imports, pays relatively high wages, and caters to luxury tourism.
Without France’s support, the islands would likely have a much smaller economy similar to other Pacific nations.
Prices in Tahiti in 2026 are 30% - 40% dearer than in France itself.
1. The Main Pillars of Tahiti’s Economy
Tourism (largest private sector)
Tourism drives much of the economy.
Major destinations include:
Tahiti
Bora Bora
Moorea
Raiatea
Visitors come primarily from:
United States
France
Japan
Australia / New Zealand
Tourism supports:
Hotels and overwater bungalow resorts
Cruise ships
Diving and lagoon activities
Restaurants and transport
Because the destination markets itself as luxury travel, prices are deliberately positioned high.
Financial Support from France
France plays a massive role in the economy.
French government transfers provide roughly 20–30% of the entire economy through:
Civil servant salaries
Military spending
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Education
Many residents work for the government or French public institutions.
This support stabilises the economy but also pushes wages higher than in most Pacific islands, which raises prices.
Pearl Farming
Black pearl cultivation is one of the few major exports.
Key production areas:
Tuamotu Archipelago
Gambier Islands
The famous Tahitian black pearl industry exports jewelry worldwide.
However, it is small relative to tourism and government spending.
Fishing and Small Agriculture
Local production includes:
Tuna fishing
Copra (coconut products)
Vanilla
Tropical fruit
But the islands cannot produce enough food to supply the population.
2. Why Tahiti Is So Expensive
Several structural reasons drive prices up.
1. Extreme Isolation
Tahiti sits in the middle of the South Pacific:
Distance to major economies:
~8,000 km from the US West Coast
~6,000 km from Australia
~15,000 km from Europe
Almost everything must be shipped or flown in.
Examples imported:
cars
fuel
building materials
electronics
packaged food
Shipping costs alone can double prices.
2. Import Taxes and Protectionism
French Polynesia uses very high import duties to protect local businesses.
Taxes can add:
20–50% on imported goods
sometimes more on luxury items
This raises the retail price of many products.
3. Small Market
The population of French Polynesia is only about 280,000 people.
Small markets mean:
limited competition
smaller supply chains
higher per-unit costs
A supermarket here cannot operate at the scale of one in Los Angeles or Sydney.
4. High Wages
Because of French standards:
minimum wages are relatively high
many workers are public employees
social benefits are generous
Businesses must charge higher prices to cover labor costs.
5. Tourism Pricing
Luxury tourism sets the pricing level.
For example:
Typical costs in Tahiti:
Dinner for two: $80–150 USD
Hotel night: $250–1200+
Beer: $8–12
Gasoline: $2+ per liter
Visitors coming for **Bora Bora or luxury resorts expect premium prices, and the market adjusts accordingly.
6. Transportation Between Islands
French Polynesia covers an ocean area about the size of Europe.
Transport requires:
small planes
cargo ships
ferries
Operating costs are high and passed on to consumers.
3. What Is Actually Cheap
A few things are relatively affordable:
Local products:
tuna
bread
tropical fruit
Chinese-style takeaway (very common in Tahiti)
Public services:
healthcare
schooling
These are subsidised through France.
How Locals Manage the High Cost of Living in French Polynesia
Living in French Polynesia—especially on Tahiti—can be expensive, but locals have developed practical ways to manage costs that visitors often don’t notice. The strategies involve culture, government support, food habits, and community networks.
Locals survive high prices through family support, government employment, fishing, growing food, and avoiding imported goods.
Tourists experience the islands very differently because they rely heavily on hotels, restaurants, and imported products.
1. Government Jobs and French Salaries
A large portion of the workforce works for the public sector funded by France.
Examples include:
teachers
hospital workers
police and civil servants
port and airport employees
These jobs typically pay higher wages and offer strong benefits, including healthcare and pensions. Many middle-class households depend on this stable employment.
2. Extended Family Living
Multigenerational households are common.
A typical home might include:
grandparents
parents
children
This reduces costs by sharing:
housing
food
transportation
childcare
Family networks are a major economic safety net.
3. Fishing and Lagoon Food
Seafood is one of the most important cost-saving food sources.
Common locally caught fish include:
tuna
mahi-mahi
parrotfish
reef fish
Fishing from small boats or the shoreline is extremely common around Moorea and other islands.
Many families regularly eat poisson cru (raw fish in coconut milk and lime), the national dish.
4. Backyard Agriculture
Many households grow food in their yards.
Typical home-grown foods include:
bananas
papaya
mango
breadfruit
taro
coconut
On outer islands such as the Tuamotu Archipelago, this can supply a large part of daily food.
5. Eating Local Instead of Imported
Imported food is extremely expensive.
Locals often avoid things like:
imported beef
foreign cheese
packaged snacks
Instead they buy cheaper local items at markets like the famous Papeete Market.
Local staples:
rice
baguettes
fish
tropical fruit
6. Eating at “Roulottes”
Street food trucks called roulottes are popular evening dining spots in Papeete.
Meals cost much less than restaurants.
Common dishes:
chow mein (influenced by Chinese Polynesian culture)
grilled fish
steak and fries
crepes
These meals can be half the price of a restaurant dinner.
7. Limited Consumer Spending
Many locals simply buy fewer imported goods.
Examples:
fewer electronics upgrades
fewer imported clothes
smaller homes
fewer cars per household
Consumption patterns are different from North America or Europe.
8. Subsidised Services
Because the islands are part of France, many social services are subsidised.
Benefits include:
healthcare support
public education
infrastructure
social benefits for families
This reduces some living costs that would otherwise be very high.
9. Island-to-Island Differences
Life costs vary widely.
More expensive:
Tahiti
Bora Bora
Cheaper:
outer islands such as the Austral Islands or parts of the Marquesas Islands
However, outer islands often have fewer jobs and services.
Homelessness in Tahiti — Why It Exists Despite a Small Population
In Tahiti, especially around Papeete, visitors often notice visible homelessness. For a population of only about 280,000 in all of French Polynesia, the number of people living on the streets can seem surprisingly high.
The reasons are complex and tied to housing, migration, culture, and social issues.
Homelessness in Tahiti mainly results from high housing costs, migration from outer islands, limited social housing, and social challenges, combined with the fact that it is very visible in a small city like Papeete.
1. Very High Housing Costs
Housing is one of the biggest drivers of homelessness.
Several factors make housing expensive:
Limited flat land on volcanic islands
Strict building rules
High cost of imported construction materials
Population concentration around Papeete
Typical rents in the Papeete area can be comparable to major cities despite far lower incomes.
As a result:
Some people live in informal housing in the hills
Others end up sleeping in parks, beaches, or near the waterfront.
2. Migration from Outer Islands
People often move to Tahiti from smaller islands seeking work.
These include places like:
Marquesas Islands
Tuamotu Archipelago
Austral Islands
Tahiti has:
most jobs
hospitals
schools
government services
However, migrants sometimes arrive without stable housing or employment, which can lead to homelessness.
3. Limited Social Housing Supply
While France provides significant funding, public housing construction has not kept up with demand.
There are:
waiting lists for subsidised housing
overcrowded family homes
informal settlements in valleys or hillsides
This shortage pushes vulnerable people onto the streets.
4. Substance Abuse and Social Issues
Like many isolated communities, Tahiti faces challenges with:
alcohol abuse
drug use (especially methamphetamine, locally called ice)
mental health issues
These factors contribute to long-term homelessness for some individuals.
5. Cultural Factors
In Polynesian culture, extended family networks traditionally support relatives.
However, urbanisation has weakened this system:
young people moving to cities
family land divided among many descendants
modern economic pressures
When family support breaks down, people may have few institutional safety nets.
6. Visibility in a Small City
Another reason homelessness appears high is visibility.
Papeete is a small city where:
downtown areas are compact
waterfront parks are popular gathering places
public spaces are heavily used
This makes homeless individuals more noticeable than in larger cities where populations are spread out.
7. Tourism Contrast
Tahiti’s economy markets luxury travel—especially destinations like Bora Bora and Moorea.
This creates a sharp contrast:
high-end resorts and cruise ships
people struggling with housing in urban areas
The contrast makes the issue feel more striking to visitors.
Economy of Moorea vs. Tahiti
Yes — Moorea has a different and much smaller economy than nearby Tahiti.
Although they are only about 17 km apart, their economic roles in French Polynesia are quite distinct.
Tahiti = administrative and economic capital
Moorea = tourism, agriculture, and commuter island
1. Tahiti: The Economic Engine
Tahiti is where most economic activity occurs.
Key sectors include:
Government
Most French Polynesian government offices are in Papeete
Many residents work in public administration funded by France
Shipping and trade
The main port and airport are located here
Almost all imports arrive through Tahiti
Business and retail
Banks, supermarkets, car dealers, and corporate offices are concentrated here.
Tahiti is home to around two-thirds of the territory’s population, so it dominates the economy.
2. Moorea: Tourism and Agriculture
Moorea has a much smaller and more rural economy.
Tourism
Tourism is the biggest industry.
Activities include:
lagoon tours
snorkelling with rays and sharks
hiking in the mountains
small resorts and guesthouses
Moorea attracts visitors who want a less urban, more nature-focused experience than Tahiti.
Agriculture
Moorea is one of the few islands where agriculture still plays a visible role.
Major products include:
pineapples (Moorea produces most of French Polynesia’s pineapples)
coconuts
tropical fruit
vanilla
These are sold locally and exported to Tahiti.
Commuter Economy
Many Moorea residents work in Tahiti.
A fast ferry connects the islands in about 30–40 minutes between:
Moorea
Papeete
Every day commuters cross the channel to jobs in:
government
offices
retail
construction.
So Moorea partly functions as a residential island for Tahiti workers.
3. Cost of Living Differences
Moorea is generally slightly cheaper than Tahiti, but not dramatically.
Reasons:
less urban demand
more local food
some cheaper housing in rural areas.
However:
imported goods still cost the same
wages are often lower.
4. Lifestyle Differences
The economies create very different lifestyles.
Tahiti
urban traffic
large supermarkets
offices and government jobs
nightlife and commerce
Moorea
smaller villages
farming and tourism
slower pace of life
stronger local community feel.
Our overall impression of Tahiti (having stayed there for 4 days) is that in reality, it does not live up to its over-hyped reputation as a luxury tourist destination.
We found it to be a city that you should only transit through. It does not warrant a stay longer than one day if at all possible. Take a ferry to Moorea and stay there in preference to Tahiti.
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