Ferry rides in the Pacific Islands combine practical island transport with scenic ocean crossings between lagoons, volcanic islands, motus, and remote destinations.
Below you’ll find ferry rides across the Pacific Islands, from short lagoon crossings and island transfers to larger passenger ferries connecting major destinations.
Use the listings to compare crossing times, comfort levels, route types, and ferry atmospheres before planning your island journey.
GETTING AROUND
This ferry from Tahiti to Moorea makes the crossing easy, comfortable, and pleasantly scenic.
GETTING AROUND
The VIP Ferry from Moorea to Tahiti adds lounge seating, included refreshments, and a quieter deck.
GETTING AROUND
The ferry from Moorea to Tahiti is a fast, comfortable ferry crossing with air-conditioned seating.
GETTING AROUND
The VIP Ferry from Moorea to Tahiti adds lounge seating, included refreshments, and a quieter deck.
Ferry rides are one of the most authentic ways to travel through the Pacific Islands. While many travelers picture only flights and luxury resorts, ferries remain an important part of daily island life across the region, connecting islands, lagoons, remote villages, airports, and tourism hubs. On calm days, a ferry crossing becomes one of the most scenic and memorable parts of any Pacific Islands journey.
Ferries operate throughout the Pacific Islands, though some destinations rely on them far more heavily than others. In French Polynesia, the most famous crossing is the ferry from Tahiti to Moorea, passing dramatic volcanic scenery in roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Ferry routes are also important in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, where inter-island boat services connect communities that air travel does not efficiently serve.
| Travel style | Main advantage | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry rides | Scenic, affordable, and relaxed | Short inter-island crossings where the journey itself is part of the experience |
| Domestic flights | Faster over longer distances | Remote islands and atolls where no ferry service operates |
Most Pacific Island ferries offer a combination of indoor and outdoor seating, with some providing air-conditioned lounges, snack bars, and upper observation decks. Depending on the route and vessel, travelers may find comfortable seating areas, open-air viewing decks, food and drinks on board, VIP seating upgrades, and space for luggage. Sea conditions can vary depending on weather and season.
There is no direct passenger ferry from Papeete to Bora Bora. The only practical connection is a domestic flight from Tahiti’s Faa’a Airport to Bora Bora Airport, followed by a hotel shuttle boat across the lagoon to your resort. Cargo ships occasionally serve the route but are not a realistic option for tourists. For inter-island ferry travel in French Polynesia, the Tahiti to Moorea crossing is the most established and frequently used route.
Yes — the Tahiti to Moorea ferry is the most popular inter-island ferry crossing in French Polynesia, taking around 30 minutes and departing from Papeete’s ferry terminal multiple times daily. It is one of the most scenic short crossings in the Pacific, with views of Moorea’s dramatic volcanic peaks appearing as you approach.
There is no passenger ferry between Moorea and Bora Bora. The distance between the two islands makes a direct ferry connection impractical. Travelers heading from Moorea to Bora Bora need to return to Tahiti first and take a domestic flight to Bora Bora.
The only way to reach Bora Bora is by air. Domestic flights operate from Faa’a International Airport in Papeete to Bora Bora Airport, with the flight taking around 45 minutes. Once on the island, hotel shuttle boats transfer guests across the lagoon to their resort or to Vaitape, the main village on the main island.