Destination overview

Just say the word Tahiti and it evokes visions of an island paradise. With 118 islands boasting high, rugged mountain peaks, coral reefs, turquoise-blue lagoons, white sand and palm-fringed beaches, each island paradise has something for everyone. Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, Taha'a, Raiatea, Manihi, Tikehau, Rangiroa, Fakarava, the Marquesas, and the other exquisite Islands of Tahiti cover more than two million square miles of the South Pacific Ocean spread over five great archipelagos.

The 118 islands are separated into five archipelagos – the Marquesas to the north, the Society Islands and the Tuamotu in the centre, the Australs to the south and the Gambier to the south-east.

Sprinkled like a handful of stardust in space, the Tahitian Islands are easily characterised by their isolation. Most of the islands are only sparsely populated and 40 of them remain uninhabited to this day.

Many islands are crowned with jagged peaks while others appear to barely float above the breaking waves. Spanning an area in the South Pacific as large as Western Europe, the total land mass of all the islands adds up to an area only slightly larger than the tiny state of Rhode Island in the United States.

As far south of the equator as Hawaii is north, Tahiti is half-way between California and Australia, on the same side of the International Date Line as North America and in the same time zone as Hawaii (only three hours behind California from March to October and two hours behind California from November to March).

Tahiti, the largest island throughout the country, towers over the ocean like a proud and royal Queen and is appropriately crowned by a circle of majestic peaks. The mountainous interior is adorned with deep valleys, clear streams and high waterfalls, all bathed in green iridescent light. The coastal lands, edged with a rugged coastline, are home to fields of tropical flowers and most of the island’s population.

The capital of Papeete was once a gathering place where Tahitians came to fill their calabashes with fresh waters. Now the invigorating capital city and gateway of the country boasts world-class resorts, day spas, fine dining and unique restaurants, nightclubs, vibrant markets and great shopping.

Tahiti and its islands have something to offer every visitor, whether you are looking for ultra-luxury or prefer a more rustic experience. The glistening waters of the lagoon are never far away, tempting visitors with the delightfully warm currents of the Pacific Ocean. The soaring volcanic peaks of the Society Islands, the desert island experience or the astounding atolls of the Tuamotus (the wild, untamed ruggedness of the Marquesas), or the remote traditional lifestyles of the Australs and the Gambiers, there is something for everyone.

All of the islands are distinctly different from each other, and each has its own individual charms. Moorea is not Bora Bora and Rangiroa is not Manihi, but they are all soothed by the softly blowing trade winds that gently rustle the foliage of the palm trees, or depending on the season, cooled by the Maraamu that blows from the South in the Austral winter.

As a multicultural melting pot, the people of Tahiti and its Islands, approximately 245,405 inhabitants, include Polynesians, Europeans and Chinese, with 75 per cent of the population living in the Windward Islands of Tahiti and Moorea. Tahitians are proud of their islands and their relaxed disposition is often expressed in their passion for dance and music.

The same can be said for their love of the sea, whether in fishing, surfing or traditional canoe racing. Despite being a modern society, Tahiti has not lost its traditional flair for extending a genuinely warm welcome to visitors. One of the emblems of French Polynesia is the Tiare Tahiti (Gardenia taitensis), literally 'flower of Tahiti’. It is the basic ingredient Polynesians use to make the Monoi, a sensual and precious oil used for skin and hair care.
Tahiti has an abundance of activities for you to try. Why not attempt some of the following and see how adventurous you can be?

Go snorkelling in a beautiful site and dive down below the ocean’s surface in the warm current where you can see schools of colourful fish nibbling on the coral reef. Watch hundreds of silvery needlefish as they dart about in perfect sparkling unison.

Discover the lagoon by kayak. The windward side of Punaauia is one of the most highly-acclaimed beaches in Tahiti. The sea kayaks most often used in Tahiti are designed for cruising and sightseeing.

Ride in an outrigger canoe. The Polynesian-style canoe is uniquely designed with a single-hull and attached outrigger. This type of canoe has been in existence for more than 1,000 years and is capable of travelling across the open ocean, then manoeuvring to the shore over the shallow reef.

Go fishing for Mahi Mahi – a traditional fishing technique used in Polynesia.

If you want to learn sailing, Tahiti is an excellent place to do it. No wetsuits are required in Tahiti's year-round warm ocean and there are a couple of spots on the island that are absolutely perfect for learning. Sailing takes determination, stamina and good wind and sea conditions. There is probably no better place in the world to learn sailing than Tahiti.

Try surfing. The north coast offers good surfing where there are both beach breaks and reef breaks. The best time to surf is actually in the winter, where there are big waves caused from storms in Antarctica and New Zealand. The southern coast of the island has the most breaks, with the exception of the Papara waves. Some of the popular reef breaks are Taapuna Pass, Paea, and Papara.

Coincide your visit with a surf competition. The dates of surfing competitions depend on the size of the waves during a specified period of time. Check the local newspaper, ask the desk clerk, or call a surf shop for the latest dates and times. The Billabong Tahiti Pro is normally held each May. This is the Top 44 World Competition Tour and takes place on the west side of Tahiti in the mythic waves of Teahupoo.

Tee off at the international golf course of Atimaono. The Olivier Breaud International Golf Course is a 6,944-yard, par 72 course and is Tahiti's only 18-hole golf course. It's a real pleasure to play golf in the extraordinary beauty of this site.

Deep sea fishing is a very popular recreational activity for visitors to French Polynesia. Game fish include marlin, yellow fin tuna, sailfish, swordfish, mahi mahi, barracuda and other pelagic fish. Why not book yourself a tour and give it a try. You just might catch that big one!

Tahiti has a variety of sites for all levels of scuba divers and is a good place to get certified. There are a variety of dive sites in Tahiti, with subjects ranging from wrecks to sharks. The Aquarium is where you can go to feed fish by hand. Fish come in such abundance that it is sometimes difficult to see a few yards ahead of you, so keep your wits about you.

Whatever you decide to do in Tahiti, you will return home refreshed and inspired by this idyllic paradise.