Tradition, art, sport, source of food, leisure… fishing is an integral part of Polynesian life! Beach-side netting, trolling, reeling, pupuhi underwater hunting, reef casting, harpooning, trapping in parks and even pebbles…there are many different fishing techniques. Do you like fishing? So don’t leave Polynesia without boarding a “poti marara” or “flying fish boat” to discover Mahi Mahi spearfishing, a unique and adrenalin-fuelled technique.

Fishing plays a key role in Polynesian life, transcending its functional role to become a genuine cultural, artistic and sporting component, and of course, a vital source of food. From tradition to art, sport to leisure, fishing shapes the daily lives of the inhabitants of French Polynesia in a multitude of ways.

The fishing techniques used testify to the diversity of marine resources and the ingenuity of the fishermen. From beach-side nets to open-ocean trolling, from reels used from boats to “pupuhi” guns used in underwater hunting, from reef casts to fearsome harpoons, from the use of traps in parks to daring pebble techniques, each fishing method reveals an expertise adapted to the region’s unique marine environment.

For fishing enthusiasts in search of unique experiences, boarding a “poti marara,” the famous “flying fish boat,” is an adventure not to be missed. This traditional boat lets you discover Mahi Mahi hunting with a harpoon, a unique technique steeped in adrenalin and mastery. Stalking this colorful, fast-moving fish in the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific offers an incomparable sensory and cultural experience, connecting participants to the richness of the ocean and the age-old fishing traditions of Polynesia.

In this way, fishing in French Polynesia goes beyond the simple act of catching fish; it represents a way of life, a celebration of nature, and a profound expression of the symbiotic relationship between the inhabitants and the ocean that surrounds them. Whether it’s to satisfy a dietary need, perpetuate age-old traditions, or simply for the pleasure of the hunt, fishing in Polynesia is a rich, diverse and meaningful experience.