The Islands of Tahiti

Have you ever dreamed of a marvellous, fertile world of sun-drenched landscapes that appears right before your eyes when you step off the plane?

On the Islands of Tahiti, the air is full of alluring dreaminess. An explosion of colors dazzles your eyes as you scan verdant valleys, azure skies and turquoise lagoons. The multi-colored pareus (skirts) of the vahine (women) contrast with their ebony hair, bathed in the raw tropical sunlight.

Tahiti, Mo’orea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora and Maupiti are high and mystical islands with deep valleys perfumed by the tiare (Tahitian flower), short-lived jewels that one wears over the ear. Rangiroa, Manihi, Fakarava, Tikehau – atolls at the end of the world, these “pearl islands” enclose in their jewelry-box lagoons the blue depths where black pearls grow and develop.

From the north to the south, from the fertile plains of the Australs to the sharp cliffs of the Marquesas, these fragrant paradises combine all the different landscapes created by generous Mother Nature. Secret or rebellious, savage but never hostile, their beaches, shaded by coconut trees, tell of the centuries of erosion which made them gold or basalt, atoll or mountain.

The Society Islands

Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora… These names sound like an invitation to a dream. Discovering them will enchant the most discerning traveler… This archipelago is also home to other islands not as famous but nonetheless as mesmerizing such as Tetiaroa, movie star Marlon Brando’s mythical atoll, but also Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a and Maupiti. Here and there, mountains proudly overlook bright blue lagoons, surrounded by motu, small coral crowns offering a lush green vegetation in their center and white sandy beaches flirting with the ocean. The crystal blue water will unveil even more treasures. Every island of the Society archipelago unveils a legacy, a living culture in constant development, authentic encounters and an invaluable art of living in harmony within an unspoiled environment. Pure natural luxury, at all times…

The Marquesas Archipelago

It is believed that one never comes to the Marquesas by chance. These isolated rocky fortresses rising from the big ocean look strikingly different from any other scenery. Far from the Polynesian blue lagoons, every island offers another kind of beauty, powerful, deep and primitive. This complete and original harmony between the Earth and Man which best describes the Marquesan people finds its source in the name they gave to this archipelago “ The land of men / Te Henua ‘Enana’ ”. Extremely attached to their cultural identity and their “extra-ordinary” heritage, this harmony beats continuously in the heart of the women and men of these islands, like the everlasting and deep sound of foot drums. The latter tell about the story of the magical word “Mana”, where life originates from, and invite visitors through memorable feelings and impressions, as permanent and unforgettable as tattoos.

Accommodation

The islands of French Polynesia offer visitors a wide range of accommodation for every budget. At the top end of the spectrum are the luxurious, five-star resorts owned by international hotel companies, where vacationers can enjoy the tranquillity and gentle pace of the islands and their beautiful, turquoise lagoons. One local specialty is the overwater bungalow. Built on stilts directly over the lagoon, guests can watch colorful fish through glass panels in the bungalow floor. Each of these resorts offers clients a wide range of activities, from cultural visits and water sports to traditional massages and spas. A delightful culinary experience awaits visitors at the restaurants of these top hotels, where talented chefs blend local flavors with French or Asian influences.

More affordable than the large resorts, the family hotels give visitors the opportunity to experience a warm Polynesian welcome as well as a glimpse of traditional daily life. Brimming with local color and character these bed and breakfast, holiday family homes, family-run guest houses and family hotels offer family style cooking and the chance to appreciate the spirit of sharing and generosity that remains a core value in Polynesian culture.

How to Travel From One Island to Another?

Catamarans and ferry boats cross between Tahiti and Moorea several times a day. Schooners and cargo boats serve all the inhabited islands from Papeete. Rotations vary according to the destinations: three times a week to the Society Islands, three to five times a week to the Tuamotu, every fifteen days to the Marquesas and the Austral Archipelago and once monthly to the island of Mangareva.

How to Get Around On The Island?

On the island of Tahiti, buses and taxis are available for those who don’t have a car. A car, a four-wheel drive vehicle or even a scooter can be rented in one of the numerous agencies. In the Society Archipelago, “trucks” (picturesque buses with wooden passenger cabins) serve the different towns. Finally, depending on the island you’re on, if you want to discover our hidden paradises you can always go out for a ride on a bike or on a horse! On some islands, taxi boats for lagoon transfers are also available to go to «motu» (islets) where you can find accommodation (like in the Tuamotu) or to the airport (like on Bora Bora).

Attribution

Source of this book: www.tahiti-tourisme.pf

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