Tahiti and Her Islands, exudes a laid-back tranquillity, as romantic sunsets send giant curls of turquoise breaking over the islands’ reefs. Remote and pristine, Tahiti and Her Islands is really a place where nature dominates, and it is nature that matters.
The cultures and traditions of these unique islands are still alive today, ensuring a host of magical moments for people of all ages and interests: dive in deep blue waters, experience unrivalled beauty of coral reefs, feed the sharks, go horse-riding or take a trip in a 4X4, fly over a lagoon in a helicopter or plainly relax in your luxury overwater bungalow or delightful ‘fare’.
Discover the Tahiti boutique hotels, Tahiti luxury hotels and Polynesian hotels with Boutique Luxury Escapes. Our current hotel selection is based on the following islands:
The Society Islands - Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine, Taha’a
The Tuamotu Islands - Rangiroa, Manihi, Tikehau, Fakarava
The Marquesas Island - Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa
The 118 islands of French Polynesia consist of five archipelagos: Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Austral and Gambier. They are all different, each with its own distinctive features.
The Society Archipelago is made up of the ‘Windward Islands’ and ‘Leeward Islands’.
‘Windward Islands’ include of four high islands Moorea, Tetiaroa, Malao and Tahiti or ‘island of love’ which is made up of two islands Tahiti Nui the large one and Tahiti Iti the small one.’Leeward Islands’ lies 200 km from Tahiti, include Huahine, Bora Bora, Raiatea or Taha’a and Maupiti.
The Tuamotu Archipelago east of the Society archipelago is the largest with a surface of 600 square miles. It consists of 80 atolls which are ring shaped coral islands surrounding a lagoon. Rangiroa is the widest atoll of this archipelago and those of Manihi, Fakarava, and Tikehau are the main ones.
The Austral Archipelago consists of five high islands south of Tahiti with a distance of 160 to 230 km separating them. These high islands with a sharp mountainous surface are surrounded by a coral reef either at the coast level itself known as fringing reef or at the ocean level known as a barrier reef. Rapa the farthest island is situated 1500 km from Papeete.
The Marquesas Archipelago consists of 9 islands with hilly relief and has no lagoons and is located 1500 km north east from Tahiti.
The Gambier Archipelago extends towards the southwest of the Tuamotu Archipelago and has about ten small high islands.
Getting there: International Airport.
Papeete, Tahiti, Faa’a International Airport, city centre 10 minutes drive from Papeete, the capital city of Tahiti
Polynesian Airports: Inter island flights operate from Papeete to Ahe, Atuona, Bora Bora, Fakarava, Gambier, Hao, Huahine, Kaukuna, Maupiti, Makemo, Moorea, Mataiva, Nuku hiva, Raiatea, Rangiro, Rimatana, Rurutu, Raivavae, Tikehau, Takapoto, Takaroa, Tubuai, Ua huka, Ua pou, Manihi.
Dialling Code:
+689
Time Zone:
Tahiti and Her Islands is thirteen hours behind of GMT. There is no daylight saving time.
Currency:
Central Pacific Franc or CFP which is pegged to the Euro.
Notes come in CFP denominations of 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000, and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100.
Currency Exchange:
It is best to change your currency into CFP when you get to Tahiti. Money can be exchanged at the airport ATM upon arrival, even in the middle of the night, or later at a bank in any island, banks and ATM charge a service fee
Credit and Debit Cards:
MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted.
Electricity:
220 volts AC with round European-style plugs.
Best time to go:
The Polynesian Islands enjoy a tropical climate year round. The average temperature is 27 degrees centigrade.
Public Holidays:
Jan 1: New Year’s Day, Mar 5: Missionary Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1: Labour Day, May 8: Victory Day, May 25: Ascension, Whit Monday, Jun 29: Anniversary of Internal Autonomy, Jul 14: Fall of the Bastille, 10 days celebration, Aug 15: Assumption, Sep 8: Internal Autonomy Day, Nov 1: All Saints’ Day, Nov: Armistice Day, Dec 25: Christmas Day.
Entry Requirements:
All passengers entering French Polynesia must be in possession of a valid passport and outbound ticket. The passport must be valid for six months past return date.
Citizens of the following countries can stay three months without a visa: All countries of the European Union.
As well as citizens of the following other countries: Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican.
Citizens of the following countries can stay one month without a visa:
Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brunei, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, the United States of America and Uruguay.
Visitors from other nations from South America, Africa and Asia need to apply for their visa before entering French Polynesia. Visas for France are not valid.
It is strongly recommended that you check with the nearest French Consulate or Embassy for any changes in formalities. Visas are actually issued in Tahiti and may take up to 3 weeks to be returned back to the French Consulate.
Immunization shots are not required prior to going to French Polynesia.
Tahiti, The Society Islands:
‘Capital Island’
Tahiti, the ‘island of love’ is the largest of the Polynesian islands with an area of 1042 square kilometre has steep cloud-draped mountains, deep verdant valleys, luxuriant ferns, swift invigorating rivers and black sand beaches.
Tahiti Nui, the circular big islands offers numerous excursion possibilities whilst Tahiti Iti, overflows with innumerable treasures surrounded by an aura of legend.
Papeete, the Capital of Tahiti:
An international point of arrival for the other fabulous nearby islands, Papeete, the capital of Tahiti has colourful market, art, history museums, botanical and flower gardens, animated nightlife and cultural exhibitions such as the Traditional ‘Heiva’ which provides a lively change of scenery full of folklore, dancing, singing, colours and fragrances.
Getting there:
By air:Fly to Faa’a International Airport, which is about 10 minute drive from Papeete city centre. Inter island flights operate from Papeete to Ahe, Atuona, Bora Bora, Fakarava, Gambier, Hao, Huahine, Kaukuna, Maupiti, Makemo, Moorea, Mataiva, Nuku hiva, Raiatea, Rangiro, Rimatana, Rurutu, Raivavae, Tikehau, Takapoto, Takaroa, Tubuai, Ua huka, Ua pou, Manihi.
Getting around:
Taxi and car hire operate from the airport, major hotels and in the town. Taxi fares are subject to an official scale but it is better to ask the price before you hop abroad! To get around the surrounding towns there is a bus transportation system offering two types of services, the open-air or Le Truck that stops frequently across 26 routes.
Worth seeing:
The tomb of the last king of the Pomare dynasty.
The house of James Norman Hall, First World War hero, adventurer, poet and leading author of American contemporary literature.
The Taharaa pass and its viewpoint, situated on the northern coast.
The lighthouse of Point Venus built in 1867 by the Mangarevians to confirm the status of Matavai Bay.
The Paul Gauguin Museum. A retrospective tribute to the life and works of the renowned artist.
The Pearl Museum. Discover pearl through Polynesian art, history, mythology, philosophy and religion.
The museum of Tahiti and her islands. Traces the lifestyle of Polynesians before the arrival of the missionaries.
The town hall of Papeete built in the colonial style.
The Garden of Matao, home to one of Tahiti’s most beautiful collections of birds of paradise and exotic plants.
The Lagoonarium, an underwater observatory.
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Papeete constructed in 1875.
Papeete has a very lively nightlife. There are many bars, also open through the week. The discotheques close at 3 a.m. or even 4 a.m. on Fridays, Saturday and Public holidays.
Moorea, The Society Islands:
‘Magical Island’
Tahiti’s sister island is just 12 miles away and has one of the most beautiful lagoons in the Pacific. Steeped in history and legend the beauty of Cook Bay, bordered by a chain of jutting peaks continues to attract artists, aesthetes and philosophers from all the over the world. Formerly called Aimeo, Moorea was an important kingdom of the Pomare Royal family and is renowned for landscapes, history, gentle pace of life, exquisite pineapples, white sandy beaches, diversity of its corals and huge variety of underwater life.
In the middle of this landscape, the sky can be seen through the Mou’a Puta, known as the pierced mountain, made, according to legend, by the arrow of the demigod Pai. Don’t miss out the Belvedere lookout located between Cook Bay and Oponohu Bay.
Getting there:
By air: 10 minute flight away from Papeete. Regular inter island flights also operate from Bora Bora, Huahine and Raiatea to Moorea.
Getting around: Rent a car or a scooter, or take the local public transport Le truck to take you to your destination.
Huahine, The Leeward Society Islands:
‘The Garden of Eden’
The wild yet seductive island of Huahine lies 175 km northwest of Tahiti and is visible from Raiatea, Taha’a and Bora Bora. Its two islands Huahine Nui or big Huahine and Huahine-Iti or little Huahine, are joined by a narrow channel and are enclosed within a protective necklace of coral.
Magnificent bays and beautiful white beaches lie alongside the gently sloping contours of mountainous Huahine. The barrier reef provides protection for the sheltered gardens for Huahine’s watermelon and cantaloupe industry. A very scenic road, mostly non-paved, winds down through green canopies and beautiful vistas for 32 km around the two islands, passing through small villages where the inhabitants live in colourful, modest homes.
The lagoon, bordered by white sand beaches, is rich with sea life, and Huahine boasts of one of the largest and best preserved archaeological sites ‘the Maeva Marle’ which dates back to a 1000 years. The little town of Fare surrounded by almond and acacia trees, and is reminiscent of a quaint colonial town.
Getting there:
By air: Regular flights inter island flights operate from Papeete, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Moorea to Huahine.
By boat: Hawaiki Nui and Vaenu offer inter-island cruises: Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora two or three times weekly each. Le Truck will take passengers from the dock to their destination for a reasonable fare.
Getting around: There is a taxi facility and four local buses operate around the island. It is also possible to get around the island by renting a car or a bicycle.
Taha’a, The Leeward Society Islands:
‘Vanilla Island’
On an emerald lagoon, surrounded by motu or tiny islets, sits the enchanted island of Taha’a with its white sandy beaches and tiny islands shares a common lagoon with Raiatea. This is the only Tahitian island that can be circled by a boat inside the lagoon. Taha’a is an ancient volcano in the shadow of Mount Ohiri with an exceptional view. Criss-crossed by deep valley which give the island its jagged appearance, this wild island is also renowned for its vivid archaeological sites.
Go hiking in the mountains and through the rich aroma of Vanilla plantations, explore the reed, discover the beauty of the sapphire and emerald waters of the lagoons, enjoy a picnic on the deserted motu or mingle with very guests. This island is an ideal escape away for those who want to get away from it all and is only accessible by boat from Raiatea.
Getting there:
By air: Regular flights inter island flights operate from Papeete, Bora Bora, Huahine, Maputi to Raiatea, transfer by water taxi or hotel boat to Taha’a.
Getting around: There are few taxis available.
Raiatea, The Leeward Society Islands:
‘A Sacred Island’
Raiatea, means ‘faraway heaven’ and ‘sky with soft light’, was first named Havai’i after the homeland of the ancient Polynesians and is the most sacred island in the South Pacific.
This, the second largest Tahitian isle, was the centre of religion and culture over 1000 years ago and still lends enchantment to ancient legends told to this day. Take a trip to the majestic mountains which traverse the island from the Faaroa crater, via its numerous waterfalls to the summit of Mount Temehani, the Polynesian Mt. Olympus.
The town of Uturoa is a sleepy little waterfront town reminiscent of Papeete from years past. With the large protected lagoon and corals around Raiatea and the island of Taha’a, the area is well-known for sailing, deep sea fishing and scuba diving.
Getting there:
By air: Regular inter island flights operate from Papeete, Bora Bora, Huahine, Maputi to Raiatea.
By boat: Passenger ferry service operated by Aremiti also connects Raiatea with Bora Bora, Huahine, and Papeete. This service runs does not run frequently.
Getting around: Few taxis are available and the public transit system, Le Truck, runs daily routes from outlying villages to the town of Uturoa.
The island circle and interior roads are best explored through hired excursion or by renting a car. To explore the lagoon, choose among motorboat, sailboat, or outrigger canoe rentals for a half or full day.
Yachts ranging from 36 to 51 feet can also be chartered, with or without captain and crew.
Bora Bora, The Leeward Society Islands:
‘Romantic Island’
Simply the most beautiful island in the world, so much has been written about Bora Bora that it’s hard to describe its magic. It definitely makes the most dramatic first appearance, especially if you arrive by air. The 18 mile circular island is surrounded by the most stunning multi-shaded blue and turquoise lagoon in all of the South Pacific. No words can describe the colours of this magnificent lagoon and its ability to captivate even the most sceptical visitor.
The towering volcanic peaks of the majestic Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahiaback jut out of the centre of the emerald-green island. Often covered in white clouds, these landmarks take on mysterious and mythical qualities. The contrasting colours of the dominating peaks and brilliant turquoise lagoon, offers the most dramatic beauty of any island in French Polynesia.
One of the most unforgettable experiences of a Bora Bora visit is the boat transfer from the airport. The airport is built on a palm fringed motu approximately 20 minutes by motor launch from the main village of Vaitape. Travelling across the calm translucent waters of the lagoon is like entering a fairyland at Vaitape village. The road which circles the island takes you past a landscape of vibrant, almost surreal, colours.
Bora Bora is located about 150 miles northwest of Tahiti, of volcanic origin, the composition is essentially a main island about six miles long by two and half miles wide, with a central mountain chain. Separated from the principle island by a deep lagoon, is the small island of Toopua and the islet of Toopua Iti. The three islands are the eroded remnants of the slopes of a crater, enclosing the central part of an ancient volcano.
The coast of the main island is deeply jagged and bordered by a fringing reef that disappears in the southern part to give way to the magnificent white sand beaches of Taahana and Matira.
Most people come here for the beaches, but in fact it is more of a lagoon island with narrow stripes of beaches.
Getting there:
By air: Regular flights operate from Papeete. Inter island flights operate from Fakarava, Maupiti, Raiatea, Rangiro, Tikehau, and Manihi to Bora Bora.
By boat: Passenger ferry service operated by Aremiti also connects Raiatea with Bora Bora, Huahine, and Papeete. This service runs does not run frequently.
Getting around: Bora Bora has few taxis and operates the public transit system, Le Truck.
The island circle is best explored through hired excursion or by renting a car. Car and bicycle rentals are available, while motorboat and outrigger canoe rentals offer an enjoyable way to discover the lagoon and surrounding motu. Helicopters can also be hired for dramatic island tours.
Rangiroa, The Tuamotu Islands:
‘A Never Ending Lagoon’
Ra’iroa owns it name ‘immense sky’ to it sheer size. It is the largest atoll in the French Polynesia and is one of the four largest in the world. With 240 tiny islets, or motu, each no more than three feet in elevation, separated by more than 100 ‘hoa’ or small channels, form a coral ring of more than 110 miles completely encircling an infinitely deep lagoon.
Surrounded by two legendary bodies of water, Moana tea or Peaceful Ocean and Moana uri or Wild Ocean, the main villages of Avatoru and Tiputa faces the motu Fara, offer the visitor with a unique look at the South Pacific lifestyle of the residents. Along the few roads, coral churches, craft centres, local restaurants, and tiny shops provide enjoyable land-based experiences to complement the many activities awaiting the visitor in the lagoon.
Getting there:
By air: Regular inter island flights operate from Papeete and Bora Bora, to Rangiroa. Connections to other Tuamotu airports including Manihi, Tikehau, and Fakarava can be made from Rangiroa.
Getting around: With only a few miles of roads, there is little need for public transportation. For venturing around the populated part of Rangiroa, open-air cars, scooters, or bicycles can be rented or the resorts can arrange for transport into the villages. For exploring the lagoon and surrounding motu, motorboat, canoe, and sailboat rentals or charters are available from the resorts or in the villages. Hotels normally arrange transfers to and from the airport.
Tikehau, The Tuamotu Islands:
‘Pink Sand Island’
An oval shaped atoll 300 km northwest of Tahiti and about 10 km from Rangiroa, Tikehau is made up of a series of small islands linked by a large channel. The largest of these islands is inhabited.
The fragrance of the air is matched only by the abundance of life in the bright-blue water. The friendly people, their homes awash with gardens, invite you to share and explore their world beyond imagination.
In this pristine world, fish seem to outnumber people one-billion-to one. In fact the density of the fish in the lagoon is so high that Jacques Cousteau’s research group declared that Tikehau’s lagoon contained the highest concentration of fish in all of the Tuamotu atolls.
The charming village of Tuherahera, full of flowers, is situated on the south end of this large motu which also has two other villages. Tuheiava, an important lagoon fishing centre with many ‘fish parks’ and Maiaia on the other large motu on the northeast that is a traditional copra producer. This atoll offers the wonderful opportunity to discover the traditional Tuamotu way of life.
One of the most beautiful atolls in Polynesia with exquisite beauty, underwater diving here is extremely rewarding, most notably in the Tuhiava channel, where the dancing manta rays weave in and out of barracuda and tuna fish, not to mention the grey and white tipped sharks. Tikehau is also home to many bird colonies that have sought refuge in the small islands scattered in the lagoon.
Getting there:
By air: Regular flights operate from Papeete and Rangiroa.
Getting around: With barely a few miles of roads, there is no need for public transportation. For venturing around the village area, walking, scooters, or bicycles are typical and enjoyable. For exploring the lagoon and surrounding motu, motorboat, canoe, and sailboat rentals or charters are available from the resort or in the village. Hotels normally arrange transfers to and from the airport.
Fakarava, The Tuamotu Islands:
‘Untouched World’
Fakarava, the second largest atoll of Polynesia is an untouched world where nesting birds and marine life live in harmony with the land and water. It has two main villages: Rotoava to the northeast, not far from the kilometre wide Ngarue channel, and Tetamanu.
The rich ecosystem is home to rare birds, plants and crustaceans, while the dive sites are virtually undiscovered. Life along the quiet shores is equally unique with quaint villages, old coral churches, and welcoming people.
Even though Fakarava is the newest destination to welcome resort visitors among Tahiti & Her Islands, it was one of the first population centres and the ancient capital of the region. This environmentally protected atoll, along with six neighbouring islands, is classified by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. Rare flora and fauna such as hunting kingfisher, the Tuamotu palm tree and lagoons filled with squills and sea cicadas are found here. Highlights include visiting a pearl farm, watching sea slugs or ‘rori’ highly sought after in Asian gourmet circles, being smoked and discovering the former village of Tetamanu with it catholic church which dates back to 1874.
Life among the 400 residents is centralized around the quaint villages of Rotoava and the Tetamanu.
Getting there:
By air: Regular flights operate from Papeete and infrequent flights from Rangiroa.
Getting around: With barely a few miles of roads, there is no need for public transportation. For venturing around the village area, walking, scooters, or bicycles are typical and enjoyable. For exploring the lagoon and surrounding motu, motorboat, canoe, and sailboat rentals or charters are available from the resort or in the village. Hotels normally arrange transfers to and from the airport.
Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands:
‘A Mystical Island’
The largest Marquesian Island 330 kilometres square, belongs to the Northern group, the roof beam of the ‘great house’ which represents the Marquesian archipelago in local mythology, has a mountain range dominated by Mount Tekao, 1124 metres high. In the centre is the Toovi plateau over which extends a large agricultural area, consisting of pasture, fields and forests. It is known for towering spire-like peaks; secluded, lush valleys; ancient religious sites; fjord-like bays; and waterfalls so high that most of the falling water evaporates as it descends.
Villages nestle in the bays of the jagged coastline punctuated by headlands, rocky outposts and islets.
Nuku Hiva also has many sites with evidence of ancient religions, several well preserved ‘tikis’ and numerous petroglyphs.
Getting there:
By air: Daily three and half hour flight operates from Papeete to Nuku Hiva. Weekly service is also offered to Nuku Hiva from Bora Bora and Rangiroa. Continuing flights and helicopter charters connect Nuku Hiva to Hiva Oa with several weekly 35 minute flights.
By boat: The Aranui 3, and several inter-island vessels offer service between the primary Marquesas Islands.
Getting around: Always an adventure, travel to and from the airport is best arranged through your travel arranger. Depending on road conditions and the location of your hotel, your airport transfer could either be a 2 hour transfer by 4x4 vehicles or by helicopter from Heli inter Marquesas.
4x4 rental vehicles are available, and it is advisable to hire a guide to negotiate the steep, rugged, and unfamiliar roads occasionally used by herds of wild horses. Around the islands, motorboat rentals for half or full days offer an enjoyable way to explore the dramatic bays and shoreline.
Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands:
‘Gauguin’s Island’
The largest of the southern islands 320 kilometres square, the master pillar of the ‘great house’ has always been a rival of Nuka Hiva. Horseshoe shaped, the island has a mountain chain running southwest to northeast, whose main peaks ‘Mount Temetiu’ and ‘Mount Feani’ form a wall that encircles Atuona. This small tranquil port in the middle of Taaoa Bay, is also called Traitors Bay, and has emerged from relative obscurity by virtue of being the last resting place of the painter, Paul Gauguin and the singer Jacques Brel. In the village, a museum devoted to Gauguin exhibits memorabilia from his visits to the island at the beginning of the century, as well as copies of his paintings. Near Tahauku, a trail leads to the Tehueto petroglyphs, whose carvings bear a remarkable similarity to those found on Easter Island.
This majestic and historic island is known for its wild, untamed landscape, giant stone tiki, endless and unearthly vistas.
Getting there:
By air: Daily three and half hour flight operates from Papeete to Nuku Hiva, continuing flights and helicopter charters connect Nuku Hiva to Hiva Oa with several weekly 35 minute flights.
By boat: The Aranui 3, and several inter-island vessels offer service between the primary Marquesas Islands.
Getting around: Always an adventure, travel to and from the airport is best arranged through your travel arranger. Depending on road conditions and the location of your hotel, your airport transfer could either be a 2 hour transfer by 4x4 vehicles or by helicopter from Heli inter Marquesas.
4x4 rental vehicles are available, and it is advisable to hire a guide to negotiate the steep, rugged, and unfamiliar roads occasionally used by herds of wild horses. Around the islands, motorboat rentals for half or full days offer an enjoyable way to explore the dramatic bays and shoreline.