• Polynesia is a popular honeymoon destination, but I traveled there solo and had a wonderful time.
• I rented my own scooter and stayed in guesthouses, a different experience than most honeymooners.
• Although the islands can be luxurious, I had the most unique experiences off the beaten path.

I know several people who honeymooned on the French Polynesia islands, and their photos looked marvelous.

The islands seem great for couples — US News even named two of them (Bora Bora and Tahiti) as some of the best spots for newlyweds in 2025.

However, I wanted to see if Polynesia is also a worthwhile destination for a solo trip.

Here's how I spent a week island-hopping around Polynesia all by myself.

I started my Polynesian getaway in Tahiti

To kick off my trip, I flew Air Tahiti Nui to the largest island in French Polynesia, Tahiti.

I landed early in the morning, and my room at Te Moana Tahiti Resort wasn't ready yet.

So, I started exploring the area right away. There were yellow mopeds in front of the hotel that I could rent by downloading an app on my phone.

I named my scooter Lemondrop and spent the entire day with her.

The first stop was grabbing a bite to eat at Snack De Mairipehe — which ended up being one of the best meals I've ever had.

It was my first time trying poisson cru, a delicious dish that consists of raw fish marinated in citrus juice and coconut milk alongside cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocados.

Some local recommendations filled out the rest of my day

At the restaurant, a local told me about Tahiti Iti, a reef break that offers some of the best surfing in the Pacific Ocean. Of course, I had to see for myself.

I rode over, and when I arrived, I saw some people about to leave the shore on a small boat. I asked if I could join, paid a small fee, and found myself on a 30-minute tour to the break to see the surfers up close.

It was one of the coolest travel experiences I've ever had.

I also stopped to see the Arahoho Blowhole and the Plage Ahonu black-sand beach before heading back to my hotel.

There were surprises around every corner in Tahiti

The next day, I strolled through the island's popular Marche de Papeete market, where I sampled several local foods.

I also took a wrong turn and ended up on a neighborhood street closed off for an outdoor game of bingo. The locals encouraged me to join, and I won on my first try.

The unplanned moment remains one of my favorite memories from the trip — it gave me a warm glimpse into the local culture.

Next, I made my way to Raiatea

The next leg of my trip was on Raiatea, which was only a 45-minute flight away. It's considered a sacred island in Polynesian spirituality and home to the Marae Taputapuātea UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I stayed in a mother-daughter-run bed and breakfast called Niu Shack. My room was in a hut in the jungle, and the mother cooked all my meals with fresh fruits from her extensive garden.

Beyond the stunning accommodations, the highlight was trying my hand at sailing on a double-hulled Holopuni canoe.

I was excited to explore the Marquesas Islands

Next, I visited one of the most remote archipelagos in the world, the Marquesas Islands.

I had to get back to Tahiti, and then it was a three-hour flight to Nuka Hiva, the largest of the islands.

I loved staying with a local family in Pension Tokaeva guesthouse. It was fascinating to slow down and converse with the family — thank you, Google Translate — and learn more about their lives and culture.

My last stop was Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands

For the final leg of my journey, I flew to Hiva Oa, the second largest of the Marquesas Islands. I rented a car — which was an interesting adventure itself — and visited the Paul Gauguin Cultural Center to learn more about the French artist.

The most memorable part of my time on the island, however, was traversing the lush, mountainous cliffside in search of local tiki makers.

I ended up purchasing two tikis, one stone and one wooden, from two different villages an hour away from each other.

I loved my trip, and I didn't feel out of place as a solo traveler

I was worried the Polynesian islands would be full of loved-up newlyweds — and that many of the local attractions would be catered to them. Luckily, that wasn't my experience.

I had a fabulous time exploring a few of the islands by myself and was able to connect with locals along the way.

I could see why someone would want to celebrate love in a place like Tahiti, but I'd be excited to come back with or without a partner.