French Polynesia, with its capital at Papeete on the island of Tahiti, is comprised of five archipelagos, including the Society Islands (where Tahiti is located), the Austral Islands, the Tuamotu atolls, the Gambier Islands, and the Marquesas. The Society group is further divided into the Windward Islands, or Îles du Vent: Tahiti, Moorea, Maiao, Tetiaroa, and Mehetia), and the Leeward Islands, or Îles Sous-le-Vent: Ra'iatea, Huahine, Taha'a, Bora Bora, Maupiti, Tupai, Maupiha'a/Mopelia, Manuae or Scilly, and Motu One or Bellingshausen.

All of the groups are mostly volcanic high-rise islands, except the Tuamotu chain, which is comprised of low-lying coral atolls.

French Polynesia covers a vast area of the southeastern Pacific Ocean, but its total landmass covers only 3,543 sq. km.