The Tradition of Flower Crowns in French Polynesia

Flower crowns are one of those things you’ll notice almost immediately when you land in French Polynesia. They’re everywhere, but they’re not just for photos. They’re actually a meaningful part of Polynesian culture.

Locally, flower crowns are called hei, and they’re usually worn for celebrations, special moments, and welcoming traditions. Think weddings, honeymoons, cultural events, or even just that “we’re in Bora Bora, let’s soak this in” kind of feeling.

You’ll also notice a difference between full crowns and single flowers. Flower crowns are more of a statement piece, something you wear for photos or special moments. Single flowers, though, are worn more casually day to day, and they actually have meaning depending on which side you place them.

Once you know that little detail, you start seeing it everywhere, from local markets to resort staff to other travelers walking around the island.

Which Side to Wear Your Flower in French Polynesia

Throughout French Polynesia, especially in Bora Bora, you’ll notice people wearing flowers tucked behind their ear. The most common one you’ll see is the tiare flower, which is the national flower of Tahiti.

It might look like a simple, pretty detail, but the side you wear it on actually has meaning.

If you place the flower behind your left ear, it traditionally means you’re taken or in a relationship. If you wear it behind your right ear, it means you’re single and available. It’s kind of like the island version of a wedding ring.

Once you know that, you’ll start noticing it everywhere.

This tradition comes from Polynesian customs across Tahiti and the surrounding islands, where flowers like tiare, hibiscus, and frangipani have always been part of everyday life. They’re used for decoration, ceremonies, and cultural expression, and today, they’re still such a beautiful part of island life.

What Flowers Are Used in Bora Bora Flower Crowns?

Most flower crowns in Bora Bora and across French Polynesia are made with fresh tropical flowers grown right on the islands, which is part of what makes them feel so special.

You’ll usually see a mix of tiare flowers, frangipani (plumeria), hibiscus, bougainvillea, and orchids woven into each crown. The exact combination can change depending on what’s in season or what the florist has available that day.

Because of that, no two crowns are exactly the same, and that’s honestly part of the magic. Each one ends up being a little unique, just like the island experience itself.

Where to Get Flower Crowns in Bora Bora

The flower crowns we wore around Bora Bora came from a local crown maker called Bora Hei. We found her on Facebook, and ended up wearing her crowns at every resort we visited.

Her crowns are about $30 USD (around 3,000 XPF), and for how full and beautiful they are, we thought they were 100% worth it.

To order, you’ll need to message her ahead of time. She has a stand at the Marché de l’artisanat gift shop in Vaitape, but she doesn’t keep crowns sitting there ready to buy. Everything is made to order, so you’ll need to plan ahead so she can create yours.

She can recreate designs she’s done before or customize colors and flower combinations. We sent her a few inspiration photos and asked her to surprise us, which ended up being one of the best decisions.

Honestly, every time we wore them around the resorts, we were getting stopped. Guests and even staff kept asking where we got our flower crowns.

They’re handmade, really full, and very Pinterest-worthy. They photographed beautifully, and we were so glad we had them for our resort photos and memories.

Let Your Resort Arrange it

If you don’t want to coordinate pickup yourself, many resorts can arrange a flower crown for you through their concierge. It’s usually set up for arrival or shortly after check-in, which makes it super easy.

Just keep in mind it will typically cost a bit more than ordering directly from a local maker, but it’s a great option if you want everything handled ahead of time.

Resort Flower Crown Workshops

Many resorts in Bora Bora offer flower crown workshops that usually last around 60 to 90 minutes. They’re such a fun cultural activity and a great way to learn a little more about Polynesian traditions.

That said, the crowns you make during these workshops are typically simpler than the ones you can buy from a local flower crown maker.

Most of the time, the flower selection is limited to what’s growing on or near the property, so the colors and variety can be a bit more minimal. The crowns also tend to be smaller and less full than professionally made ones.

If you’re doing it for the experience, it’s absolutely worth it and honestly really fun.

But if you’re going for those dreamy Bora Bora photos, getting a handmade crown from a local artist not only supports local makers, but also gives you a much fuller, more photo ready look for your trip.

How Much Flower Crowns Cost in French Polynesia

Flower crown prices across French Polynesia can vary depending on the island, how full you want it, and how customized it is.

When we were in Tahiti and Moorea in 2023, we were seeing crowns closer to $20 each, though prices may have gone up a bit by 2026. One thing we did notice though, the crowns there felt a little more elaborate, with more variety in flowers and color combinations compared to what we typically saw in Bora Bora.

So if you’re starting your trip in Tahiti or Moorea before heading to Bora Bora, it might actually be worth grabbing your crown there and bringing it with you. You’ll usually have more options to choose from, and sometimes better pricing too.

The biggest thing is just keeping it fresh while you’re moving between islands or hopping resorts. With the right care, you can actually stretch your flower crown across multiple days, which is perfect if you’re planning photos in more than one spot.

How to Care for Flower Crowns So They Last Longer

One thing many visitors don’t realize is that flower crowns need a little care to stay fresh. Between the heat and sun in French Polynesia, they can wilt pretty quickly if you’re not careful.

Here are a few tips we learned while visiting Bora Bora:

With proper care, flower crowns can last 1 to 3 days, even though most people expect them to only last a few hours.

When to Wear a Flower Crown

Flower crowns are honestly a must-have for photos and memories in Bora Bora. They add the perfect pop of color and instantly give your photos that tropical island feel.

Some of the best moments to wear one include:

• Honeymoon photos
• Beach photos
• Wedding pictures
• Resort dinners
• Overwater bungalow photos
• Snorkeling tours

They just make the whole experience feel a little more special and something you’ll remember long after the trip. They’re magical and you’ll feel like you fit right in when you wear one.

Other Beautiful Things to Buy in French Polynesia

While flower crowns are easily one of the most iconic things you’ll wear on your trip, they’re definitely not the only piece of the islands you’ll want to bring home.

From the black pearls grown in the lagoons to the hand-painted pareos you’ll see locals wearing everywhere, French Polynesia is full of meaningful, lightweight souvenirs that are actually worth packing.

We ended up finding so many favorites that I put together a full guide to the best things to buy in French Polynesia, including the exact markets where we found our best pieces and best deals.

This Is Your Sign to Get the Flower Crown

Flower crowns are one of those little details that just make the whole trip feel different. It’s not something you have to do, but once you have one on, it just clicks.

Whether you grab one from a local maker in Bora Bora or pick one up earlier in Tahiti or Moorea, it adds such a beautiful touch to your photos and memories. If you’re planning your trip, I’d definitely arrange one ahead of time so you have it ready for those dreamy beach days and overwater bungalow moments.