- Capital: Papeete
- Currency: Pacific French franc (CFP)
Officially known as French Polynesia, Tahiti and her Islands are comprised of more than a hundred volcanic islands and atolls sprinkled over four million square kilometres of ocean in the South Pacific. By visiting even a select few you, too, can experience the allure and the inspiration that these islands have had for a wide range of visitors over the centuries. Bask in its warm sunshine, breathe deeply its fragrant scents fill your vision with verdant hillsides, turquoise lagoons or fiery sunsets
Cities
Tahiti
The island of Tahiti, towering over the ocean like a proud and royal Queen, is crowned by a circle of majestic peaks. The mountainous interior shelters deep valleys, clear streams, and high waterfalls, all bathed in the green iridescence of Mother Nature’s light. The flat coastal lands, edged with a rugged coastline, are home to fields of tropical flowers and most of the island’s population. Papeete, the invigorating capital city and gateway of the territory, boasts world-class resorts, spas, fine restaurants, nightclubs, and endless shopping at the vibrant markets, pearl shops, and boutiques.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora, with a lagoon resembling an artist’s palette of blues and greens, is love at first sight. Honeymooners and romantics from around the world have laid claim to Bora Bora where the castle-like Mount Otemanu pierces the sky. Lush tropical slopes and valleys blossom with hibiscus, while palm-covered motu circle the lagoon like a delicate necklace. Perfect white-sand beaches give way to emerald waters where impossibly coloured fish animate the coral gardens. Simply said, Bora Bora is the most beautiful island in the world
Moorea
Moorea, soaring magically out of the ocean in an explosion of green velvet, is what you would imagine a South Seas island to be. A wide, shallow lagoon surrounds the island’s vertical mountains where poetic threads of waterfalls tumble down fern-softened cliffs. Peaceful meadows flanked by pinnacles of green will fill your senses and renew your belief in the majesty of nature. Pastel-painted houses surrounded by gardens of hibiscus and birds of paradise, circle the island in a fantasy of happy, yet simple villages
Huahine
Huahine Island the least explored of the islands in French Polynesian Archipelago. The Island is a beautiful place, with a relaxed Polynesian lifestyle. Huahine is known for its vanilla plantations, lush banana groves, and taro fields. Huahine is actually two islands basking in one lagoon, encircled by a coral necklace. On Huahine’s shores, coconut palms wave in the warm ocean breezes over tranquil seas and soft white sand. Surfers and backpackers following the chill-out, beach-bum trail fall hard for its savage beauty. Despite being blessed with untouched beaches, isolated coves, enchanted lagoons, killer reef breaks and the most extensive complex of pre-European marae (traditional temples) in French Polynesia, Huahine has managed to escape the rampant package-tourist overdevelopment afflicting neighbouring isles.
Taha’a
If you’re in pursuit of a beautiful and completely untouched tropical paradise – like something you’d see on a postcard – then Taha’a is the perfect fit. Known as the “Vanilla Island,” Taha’a is as sweet as it sounds. The light, tropical breeze carries with it the scent of vanilla beans, making Taha’a one of the most fragrant of all the islands. True to its name, Taha’a produces more than 80% of the famous Tahitian Vanilla. And because it’s so abundant, vanilla is used in everything from local cuisine to natural products
Language
French and Tahitian but English is frequently spoken in most hotels and shops
Electricity
Most of the hotels use 110 or 220 volts AC 60 hertz. A converter/adaptor is usually available upon request.
Communication
International access code: 00 International dialing code: 33 Concerning national calls made in French Polynesia, it is not necessary to dial the 33 country code. If you are calling from Canada, please dial 011, then 33 and finally the local phone number in French Polynesia