Let’s Plan Our Holiday

A total of 118 islands spread over five great archipelagos complete French Polynesia’s territory, in the South Pacific Ocean. Most frequented archipelagos are the Society Islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Taha’a), the Tuamotu Atolls (Rangiroa, Manihi, Tikehau, Fakarava) and the Marquesas Islands. The Austral Islands and Gambiers Islands are remote places much lesser visited by tourists, although wonderful and less crowded. All islands share the same natural beauty, mountainous green slopes covered with flour blossoms, waterfalls to admire, blue seas to explore.

Tahiti, the largest Island of French Polynesia is divided into two parts: Tahiti-Iti (remained quite isolated and parts are only accessible by boat) and Tahiti-Niu (highly populated and developed). Papeete, capital city, is the gateway to the islands through Faa’a International airport. Although this island is very similar to the others in natural beauty it is far more crowded and tourists, after a short stay, move to some of the other paradise islands. Bora Bora, being one of those paradises on earth, has a unique lagoon coloured all shades of blue. The interior, with the famous Mount Otemanu peaks like castles in the air, is covered with green forest slopes, and hibiscus blooming. The white beaches entailed by palm trees slide into the blue lagoon rich in coral and multi-coloured fish. Moorea Island, this green mountainous island can easily be toured on bike or scooter. The Belvedere looking point will give you spectacular views over Oponohu and Cook’s Bay. Tikehau Island, with its pink-sand beaches, offer the most fish crowded waters of the atolls. Raiatea or Sacred Island is the home of Mount Temehani, here you can visit the ancient temple complex of the legendary Taputapuatea. Taha’a offers a more relaxing holiday, with its vanilla plantations, pearl farms and gentle green slopes suited for hiking the ancient trails. Rangiroa, where hundreds of tiny islets (motu’s) scattered in the ocean encircle the lagoon would be your destination if you were going for a diving vacation. Manihi Island is famous for its pearl farms along the lagoon.