Discover the French Polynesia

Polinesia Francesa
(To view the Gallery click on image)

French Polynesia

Officially known as French Polynesia, these islands are scattered in more than 4 million square kilometers to the East of the South Pacific.The total amount of land of these islands and atolls is about 4,000 square kilometers divided into five archipelagos: Society Islands, Marquesas Islands, Austral Islands, Tuamotu and Gambier islands atolls.(The latter two lack of hotel infrastructure, they only have small family pension).
Tahiti and its islands extend over an area as large as Europe, and took many expeditions and years of exploration to discover and draw maps of their positions. Cooled by the gentle breezes from the Pacific, the climate of the Islands is sunny and very pleasant. In fact, there are only two seasons: from November until may, the climate is hot and humid. be June to October is cool and dry.
Although many of the rains fall during the hot season, most days are sunny during these months, with refreshing winds. The average annual temperature in Tahiti-Faa'a ' (International Airport) is 25.9 degrees.
French and Tahitian are the official languages, but English is often used in hotels and shops, so communication is rarely a problem.



Tahiti

Approaching the highest mountain of the island (2. 241metros) and enjoy the views from the peak of Venus, visit the waterfalls of the island, the Paul Gauguin Museum and the Museum of Tahiti and its islands, immerse the botanical gardens or public parks, where is one of the waterfalls in the island. Explore the Arahurahu Marae, in the Valley of Paea, lugarsagrado of yesteryear where known to many islanders Kings, ending up in the caves of Mara´a.
Papeete, boasts a market, where you can find handicrafts, desdecollares of shell, nacre polished and crimped jewelry, sarongs to a variety, to object to the Black Pearl, the best representative of the variety of shapes and colors of the Islands.
You can also visit religious buildings in Papeete.
And for lovers of sport, Tahiti offers golf, tennis, roller, squash, horse riding, aquatic activities such as surfing, sea kayaking, not forgetting andthe diving sport fishing in high seas, etc...
Night life in Tahiti is very lively, and boasts a variety of restoration (French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and international, breweries of fast food) etc...


Moorea

Moorea "Sister little" Tahiti is located only 17 Km away through the sea of moons. The magnificent beauty of Moorea covers an area of 136 km.Terrestrial Moorea charms, you can enjoy doing the tour of the island, where will enjoy sorprendentesde views of Cook and Opunohu bays from Monte Belvedere, agricultural farms, and sweet pineapple and vanilla plantations.
The inner route you can reach the Afareaitu cascade and visit the restored marae.
These routes can be in organized tours, taxi, car rental, or jeep. There are agencies of rental near the airport, major hotels and at the seaport.
In his walks you can see the houses prettv cake, often built of bamboo with straw roofs, and feel the smell cultivated flowers. The majority of 11.682 inhabitants of the island live in small towns scattered among the lakes and mountains. Luxurious and modern houses in the mountain slopes hung almost above the sea can be seen.
In addition to these terrestrial charms, the beautiful lagoon that surrounds the island, offers the possibility of practising, swimming, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing. And also to fly the lagoonen paragliding, or and see the island of Moorea from a helicopter.


Huahine

Just 30 minutes of flight from Papeete, the island of Huahine, with a wild and seductive nature, resists changes of modernity. As Tahiti, it consists of two islands, Huahine Nui to the North and Huahine Iti to the South, connected by a bridge.
Your profile of soft mountains, exceptional bays and beautiful beaches of fine white sand, allows to combine excursions around the island 4 x 4, equestrian and nautical, activities such as a tour of the lagoon, jet skis, fishing in high seas, diving, snorkeling, among other activities.
A kayak excursion will take you to feed rugs stripes and visit the Pearl farm. Huahine is the only Pearl farm black of the Society Islands.
Also, the island offers proud one of the archaeological sites most extensive and best preserved of Polynesia, the maraes complex: Maeva, with various temples located at the foot of Mount Mouatapu and the edge of the Lake Fauna Nui.


Raiatea

Raiatea, the "sacred island", has the honor of being considered the first to have been inhabited. Legends and mythology, given to certain corners of the island a mystical, magical and mysterious atmosphere as for example Al monte Temehani (of 772 meters), which is regarded as the Polynesian Olympus, as well as an "aromatic paradise", since it is home to a plant unique in the world: the "Tiare Apetahi", with a flower of a lush aroma.
The island is crossed from North to South, by its mountainous, full of waterfalls chain. The Bahiafaaroa, strong and deep, and the fertile valleys, seduce like the beauty of the lagoon dotted with several islets.
A lagoon of 5 kms. separate Raitea of Tahaa, the "vanilla island"


Tahaa

Known as the one that was the "vanilla island", is the sister of Raiatea, since it is in the same lagoon. According to legend, Taha' to was separated from Raitea by a sacred eel possessed by the spirit of a Princess.
The aroma of vanilla plantations covered the air of a sweet perfume. The cultivation of this pod is the increased activity of the population.
Its 90 km2 of charm are the perfect place to preserve the traditions of this magical island.
The three valleys spectacular give a way to Trébol and the island emerges from a mountainous massif that culminates in monte Ohiri, 590 meters of altitude.
The tour to the island, with a path of 70 km. around the coast, lies under coconut palms and trees flooded flowers, crossing eight peaceful villages, being Patio the master of them all.
Its bright lagoon offers color sapphires and emeralds, environment paradise for diving and sailing. Blue Dolphins frequent the two large steps of the island, finally informing the open sea.


Bora Bora

Bora Bora, known by the nickname of "the Pearl of Polynesia", is located in one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. Located Northwest of Tahiti and 45 minutes of flight (the airport is located on Motu Mute, 30 minutes away from the main village of Vaitape canoe ride), has a population of 259 km. The major hotels on the island have transportation between the airport and the hotel if they are located in motus, besides the navettes between the hotel and the main island.
Its silhouette against skyline consists of three mountains, of which the highest, Mount Otemanu, consists of 727 metres and rivals with the Pahia cusp of 619 metres.
Bora Bora we are glad the view with the variety of colours of its lagoon, ranging from the aquamarine, lapis lazuli, turquoise. Cobalt, Emerald, sapphires, Jade until Elindigo. You will enjoy counting the shades of color in these open waters.
You will enjoy the beauty of the lagoon with a canoe, reaching one of the solitary motus and enjoy a trip around the island with canoeing and navigate outside the reef boat sailing or simply disfrutede the sunset from the catamaran. Underwater beauty is within your reach with a glass bottom boat or diving.
To know the pleasure of swimming with blankets rays, dolphins and dare to feed the sharks, no doubt an unforgettable experience.
The islas-arrecife llamadasmotu surround the water very timidly the motu Toopua whose Hill reaches more than 100 m.Las Palm trees coconuts appear like a mirage on the horizon, mixing with the vision of white sand looming under the Crystal lagoon.
The main island of Bora Bora is 10 km long and 4 km wide, has a partially paved road about 29 km, making it easy and fun to explore it, passing through colorful towns of Vaitape, Faanui, and Anau.
You can stop to visit the temples of stone marae; see the old army bunkers and their canons of the second world war, when 5,000 Americans made his "friendly invasion" in Bora Bora. You can climb aboard a bus to carry out a guided tour oexplorar Island yourself. Jeep safaris will rise you to the rugged interior of the island, dondepuede at your own pace photographing the far coast.
You can also admire the beauty of Bora Bora conun ride with helicopter, or flying over the lagoon with paragliding.


Rangiroa atoll

It is 350 km away from Tahiti and one hour of flight, has 80 km long and 35 km wide.
Rangiroa or Rai´roa (wide sky), is the largest atoll of the Tuamotu Islands and one of the world's largest four. It has 240 motus separated by more than a hundred "hoa", i.e. small channels, and in its lagoon, enclosed by the ring of coral, stands the Paio motu, in the midst of the brightness and the color of the water of the lagoon, colors ranging from green jade or turquoise to purple color.
Avatoru, is the main town of the island, opposite the motu Fara, where the main administrative, as well as various workshops buildings of mother of Pearl and Pearl.
Tiputa, at the other end of the same motu retains its White streets, and the old casasde the former residents.
Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands, the most beautiful, coral gardens offers purple multicolored fish, molluscs and many marine species, and splendid waters extensions for the practice of nautical sports, canoe, etc...
Rangiroa offers also the possibility to make the jump to other atolonesde the Tuamotu archipelago in the West to the Marquesas Islands.


Manihi atoll

Manihi is located at 520 km and less than 1 hour of flight from Tahiti, the Tuamotu archipelago. This archipelago consists of Atolls: circular Islands formed by coral reefs surrounding a central lagoon. Recognition of is Island focuses on the exploitation of pearls. It currently employs more than one dozen of Pearl farms.
Manihi is the perfect setting for people seeking solitude, silence and evasion. Its lagoons offer the possibility of escape without boredom. The sunrise from a desert island, as well as the practice of snorkeling scuba diving and fishing are activities with many emotions to feel.
Diving lovers have the possibility to admire from fish Napoleons striped Eagle among many species that swim by step both the inner lagoon.


Tikehau atoll

Atoll has a lagoon of 26 km. long with a passage for boats through the coral reef, which is a cradle for countless species of fish. Its lagoon is the largest tourist attraction of Tikehau. The beauty and the fauna of the lagoon, are the points of interest in scuba diving lovers especially the passage of Tuheiava, where you can enjoy the swim of rugs stripes alongside the barracudas and tunas, without forgetting the presence of gray sharks and white tip. They may enjoy boat rides by the lagoon until "the pink sand beaches" or visit the "Park of the fish" with pic-nic in the motus.
The village of Tuherahera (200habitantes) is located in the South of the largest, 900 metres motu. Stands to be supplemented by other two villages. One of them is the charming village Tuheiava important center of fishing with abundant schools of fish. But in addition to the aquatic wealth in Tikehau we find a motu called Island birds, colonies of birds refuge.


Fakarava atoll

This atoll protected by UNESCO is part, together with its six neighboring islands, a reserve of the biosphere, which ensures the riches of the ecosystems of these atolls. It is the second largest atoll of French Polynesia, with a rectangular shape of 60 km. long and 25 wide.
Its two most prominent villages are, Rotaava to the Northeast make the airfield and the Ngarue step (of 1 km.) and Tetamanu, ancient capital of the island, located on the shores of the Southern passage of Tumakohua.
We recommend you to visit some of the nurseries pearls on the island, as well as a visit to the factory for processing of sea cucumbers, called "rori" very appreciated by Asians and finally a visit to the former enclave of Temanu, where you will find one of the first Catholic churches built of coral (dated 1874.)
But activity star of the island, it is without doubt the diving, where you may feel various emotions in almost pristine clear waters between Loaches, groupers, barracudas, rays, and as no, unforgettable shark hammer and tiger.


Nuku Hiva

The largest of the Marquesas Island, has a mountain dominated by Mount Tekao 1,224 metres high, bordering on the West desert land on which the airport was built. The Centre is formed by the Toovii plateau, whose height is 800 meters and its length makes it the region dedicated to pastures, fields and forests. Coasts unclamped in bays, capes, tips and cliffs host towns at the end of the Bay.
The administrative capital and Archbishopric, Taiahoe, dominated by the imposing mount Mouake (864 m.), is located in a rada protected by two rocky islets, the sentinels of the East and the West.
Sites of interest stand located to the East of the village: "paepae' Piki Vehine or Temehea, adorned of many gigantic"Tiki"recently made for a festival marquesino and the Cathedral of Notre Dame Marquesas Islands built with stones of colors of provident different structures of the six islands of the Marquesas.
In the interior of the Cathedral you can admire sculptures of precious woods representations of religious art marquesino. In another part of town, the stele dedicated to the romantic adventurer Herman Melville is a sculpture in wood made by a local artist.
The rocky shores of Nuku Hiva and its numerous caves, caves and falls are one of sites privileged for marine exploration. The absence of reefs explains the abundance of large Dolphin electra, hammer sharks, sharks gravediggers, stripes blankets leopards, striped pastenague and marmoladas rays.
The Motumano tip, to the southwest of the island, allows approaching shark hammer with festoons and rugs stripe.
To the East of Tai o Hae (the capital of Nuku Hiva), the deep Cave of Ekamako is inhabited by large manta rays pastenague and huge lobsters. At the beginning of the controller Bay, Cape Tikapoesta dominated by cliffs where hundreds of frigates, moran represents site rich in wildlife with dozens of delfineselectra, similar to the orca Pygmy species.


HIVA Oa

The largest of the Islands in the Southern Group, has always been the rival of Nuku Hiva. It is crossed from South-West to North-East by a mountain range, whose high peaks of the mountains Temetiiu and Fenai form a true wall around Atuona, small and quiet port located at the end of the Bay of Taaoa, also known as the Bay of traitors. It is known for having been the last resting place of the painter Paul Gauguin and singer Jacques Brel. The illustrious characters are buried in the cemetery of the Calavario, overlooking the Bay.
In the village you can visit the Museum of Gauguin, which displays objects that recall the passage of the painter to beginning of the century and reproductions of his paintings. Likewise, the "home of the joy", home of the painter, has been restored.
In the vicinity of Atuona, in direction to airport and where dominates the Tahauku Bay and the Hanakee islotede, is encuentraun monument dedicated to Jacques Brel.
Near Tahauku, are found petroglyphs, whose engravings are strange similarities to Easter Island.

Photographs of French Polynesia


Travel from the United States.UU. It requires a night stop in Tahiti to Bora Bora.

Bora Bora surrounded by lagoons, seen from an airplane.

Bungalows near Bora Bora.

Intercontinental Bora Bora, bottom of the image, as seen from an airplane.

Bungalows on the water.

Output of the moon on Bora Bora.

M/s Paul Gauguin anchored in Moorea.

Island Motu

Lunch at the Motu island

Resort in Bora Bora

Sunset near Moorea.

Sailing out of the reef.

Sharks and rays Eagle while diving.

Image captured with the camera partially out of the water

Shark Reef and Sting Ray.

Shark Reef

A shark Lemmon

Tahiti Pearl farm

Early in the morning in Bora Bora.

Cocktail at sunset



Source of photos: johnmirandaphoto.com