Tahiti What You Might Not Know About French Polynesia JESS@FriendsTravel.com

 

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Tahiti What You Might Not Know About French Polynesia

French Polynesia, the “Islands of Tahiti.” Both refer to the same geographic region comprising 118 islands and five archipelagos spread over four million square kilometers of ocean in the eastern #SouthPacific. Technically, the country is French Polynesia. Tahiti, by itself, is just one of the islands within French Polynesia, but the two are often used interchangeably.
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More than Honeymoons!
The biggest misconception travelers have about French Polynesia is that it’s only a honeymoon destination.

“I am constantly surprised how many people have the misconception that the islands of Tahiti is for honeymooners only”. “While it is an #amazing #honeymoon destination, there are 118 islands and each archipelago and island offers a unique experience.”

Active travelers, for instance, can spend their days #snorkeling, #kayaking, and doing jeep rides around the island. #Foodies will love the many flavors that come from the islands’ multicultural heritage.

“I have had wine groups and also booked dance groups to Tahiti”. “I am seeing many more families traveling to the islands of Tahiti in the last two years. There is so much to do, #see, #explore and #experience.”

The growth in family travel to French Polynesia even spurred year-round cruise operator Paul Gauguin to add kids’ programming to select 2022 summer sailings.

To help combat this misconception, Tahiti Tourisme North America is actively working to reach the family and adventure travel markets, as well as green travelers, reduced mobility travelers, and the LGBT community.
Beyond the Society Islands!

The most visited islands in #FrenchPolynesia are what are commonly referred to as the #SocietyIslands. These include #Tahiti, #BoraBora, #Moorea, #Raiatea, and #Huahine. But there are many more islands that can be visited, including in the Society Islands, as well as the #TuamotuIslands and the #MarquesasIslands. As with Hawaii, you can fly between the French Polynesian islands. Alternatively, there are also some ferries clients can use to get around.

However, generally speaking, the best way to get around French Polynesia and see islands outside of the big three (Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea) is to be on one of the smaller cruise ships in the region.
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To visit some of the more far-flung islands, such as Fatu Hiva or Ua Hoka in the Marquesas, you need to fly or try out the one-of-a-kind itineraries on hybrid cargo/passenger line Aranui.

To make the most out of a trip to the region, most Tahiti specialists recommend combining land and cruise, something many cruisers are already doing. According to Tahiti Tourisme North America, the average stay for clients who visit by cruise is 10 days at sea and five on land.
“When traveling to the islands of Tahiti, getting a taste of two of the five archipelagos enriches the experience,” adding she’s seeing more of demand to pair destinations in the Society Islands with those in the Tuamotu Islands.

Cruise Capacity Restraints
Like many other places in the world, French Polynesia is trying to maintain its pristine landscapes, and protect the few cities it has from being overrun with tourists. As part of this, the country enacted cruise ship capacity restraints as of January 1, 2022.

Ships that sail year-round in the region are limited to 700 passengers, while transpacific ships that turn around in Tahiti may carry up to 2,500 (the capacity of the future Papeete cruise terminal). Transpacific ships that stop in Tahiti but don’t begin or end journeys there may carry up to 3,500 guests. The islands of Tahiti (Papeete), Moorea and Raiatea are preferred for those stops.

French Polynesia, Bora Bora, island and lagoon, aerial view

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In Bora Bora, specifically, the number of cumulative passengers cannot exceed 1,200 passengers per day. That means two ships of 1,000 passengers each cannot stop in Bora Bora on the same day.

No ships carrying more than 3,500 passengers may stop in any French Polynesian port.

Furthermore, the country is actively working to achieve a total of 1,000 calls per year with 90% of them being ships with less than 600 passengers.

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Diverse Accommodations
Picturing a gorgeous overwater bungalow when you think of French Polynesian accommodations! You’re not alone, but the region has more than overwater accommodations.

We can offer our clients luxury resort hotels, beach bungalows, lodges, and even bed and breakfasts.
“One of the myths in traveling to French Polynesia is it has to be all luxury all the way”. “We can mix up the itinerary and work with budgets including charming boutique Polynesian feel properties, which enhance the experience and also bring the cost down.”

#FriendsTravelWestHollywoodCa90069 likes to build up our clients’ experience by having them stay in more than one type of accommodations, starting with a garden pool bungalow, beach bungalow or villa and ending in an overwater bungalow.

“Each of these room categories has a unique feature… if you are looking for more privacy, beach bungalows and villas can offer the most seclusion.”
Hotel capacity continues to grow with new hotels scheduled to come online through the end of 2027, according to Tahiti Tourisme North America.

Not “Just Another Tropical Island”
Tahiti and French Polynesia are famous for beautiful lagoons and white sandy beaches, but there’s more to the islands than pristine nature. There’s a diverse multicultural backdrop that might surprise more than a few clients. In one trip, visitors can interact with a wide variety cultures including Polynesian, French, and Asian, particularly Chinese.

#Foodies with multicultural tastes, in particular, will be in heaven. One night they can be indulging at a #Tahitian tamara’a, or Tahitian feast and the next night taking in the finest #French cuisine, followed by authentic #Chinese on a subsequent night. Even better? Unique fusions of the three.

“I cringe when I hear people say ‘Tahiti is just like any other island destination’”. “The culinary experience alone is unique to the islands of Tahiti. Fresh fruit and fish you would expect from an island destination is abundant, along with French-inspired sauces and styles of cooking. Then you have a strong #Asian influence of spices, soy, ginger and peppers. The blending flavors are uniquely Tahitian.”

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Tahiti Islands Polynesia JESS@FriendsTravel.com

 

Reasons to Choose the Islands of Tahiti

Ia orana, everyone! I’ve just returned from 8 days in paradise in the islands of Tahiti. While December is considered to be low season and rainy season, the weather was fabulous. It was quite hot during the day, but you can just jump in the beautiful blue water to cool off. At night it cools down, so you can sip a cocktail and watch the sunset. Many of our clients feel that the islands of Tahiti are too expensive and too far for a 7-10 day vacation. Here are 7 reasons I think you should reconsider:

The islands of Tahiti are only an 8-hour flight from LAX, and they’re only 4 hours behind CST. It’s easy to get there with daily flights on Air Tahiti Nui.
You will never see water more blue and beautiful than you see in Bora Bora. I have seen the water in the Maldives and Fiji and while those are very beautiful, Bora Bora is just on another level.
The islands of Tahiti are the original location of the overwater bungalows. I know that this is on a lot of bucket lists. And yes, they can be pricey in Bora Bora, but you can consider doing an overwater bungalow on the islands of Raiatea, Huahine, or Moorea, where they are a bit less expensive. Alternatively, you could stay in Bora Bora in a garden or beach bungalow and then move to an overwater bungalow for the last 2 nights.
The islands of Huahine and Raiatea only have a handful of 3-star properties and family-run houses, which are less expensive than a luxury property. But the charm of these islands are the people, who have a deep sense of culture and family. I would highly recommend a few nights on one of these islands and an excursion with a local guide (motu picnics are fun).
Don’t want to lie on a beach for a week? No worries! There’s no reason to be bored in Tahiti. Consider all of the activities available to you: ziplining, snorkeling, scuba diving, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, biking, liquor tasting, cooking instruction, quad bike touring, and much more. I recommend 4-5 excursions or activities during a week-long stay, which still gives you plenty of time to relax.
What about the food? There are many things that you can eat in the islands of Tahiti that you cannot get anywhere else in the world: poisson cru, uru, taro, fei, and much more. All of the food is prepared fresh and is very healthy. I would highly recommend trying some local restaurants and the roulottes to get a local flavor. Oh, and they have a wonderful selection of French wine (it is French Polynesia, after all).
Lastly, and probably most importantly, the people of islands of Tahiti are kind and warm. They are also very proud of their heritage and culture. On one excursion, our group was on a boat while a local woman told us of the history of her island while the captain of the boat played the spoons and another man played the ukulele and sang. The staff at many of the hotels are wonderful and helpful, however, I would urge you to get outside of the resort and interact with the locals. It is there where you will find the true charm and beauty of these gorgeous islands.

Every trip is curated based on the wants, needs desires and expectations of the travelers. Personally tailored!  

Tahiti is a French Territory and all French laws apply. We can arrange for anyone to be married in Tahiti in any venue one would want. 

 

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The Best way to experience Tahiti… Air, Land, and Sea.

Sailing vessels are seasonal. Inquire when you would like to travel and we will check if one is available.

They say it’s the most alluring destination on earth. Where romance was born, beauty amazes the senses and adventure beckons on every horizon. Tahiti and French Polynesia, the legendary siren of the South Pacific. Now the new seasonal home of the consummate mega-yacht sailing experience.
What a happy combination! Sailing has a very long tradition in French Polynesia, beginning with the original Polynesians, who navigated as far as New Zealand and Hawaii, perhaps even to South America, in quest of new lands to colonize. Then there were the explorers, Bougainville, Wallis, Cook, and writers and artists like Melville, Maugham, Michener and of course, Paul Gauguin, whose color-saturated canvases became the icon of the Polynesian myth.

In keeping with this revered sailing heritage, Star Flyer will be the first modern-day tall-ship to make its home year-round in French Polynesia, voyaging to the legendary Society Islands and the remote Tuomotus, the home of Polynesian cultural traditions. Star Flyer will offer intensely rewarding personal explorations of islands bearing magical names like Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine and Rangiroa. Even more noteworthy, as she glides through these pristine archipelagos of unsurpassing loveliness, she will leave no sign of her passaging.

Reserve before September 30, 2008 to take advantage of FREE airfare offer.

 

 

THE SOCIETY ISLANDS : #Tahiti, #SocietyIslands Normally a no-nonsense guy, even taciturn Captain Cook fell madly in love with Tahiti . When Cook and botanist Joseph Banks landed in Matavai Bay in 1769, they found an untouched Eden . But it was the glowing tales of French explorer Compte Antoine de Bougainville that forever perpetuated the image of Tahiti as a voluptuous paradise of nature, attracting a bevy of followers, notably artist Paul Gauguin and writer Robert Louis Stevenson. Nearly 400 miles square, and almost bisected by the sea, Tahiti is skirted by miles of white and black sands. In the lushly forested mountains, waterfalls gleam and a sacred lake hides the spirits of the gods. #Huahine, #Society #Islands A laid back haven for surfers, ex-pats and others who prefer the road less traveled, Huahine offers an authentic example of what the islands used to be. Tahitian, rather than French, is the lingua franca and the island’s numerous archaeological digs offer a fascinating window into the past. In sacred maraes reminiscent of Stonehenge , giant stones looking like gravestones remind you that human sacrifices were part of the Polynesian religious rituals. Near the settlement of Faie, ogle six-foot blue-eyed eels undulating in the water. #Raiatea, #SocietyIslands When you venture up the jungle-clad shores of Raiatea ‘s Faaroa River you could well believe you’d been transported to pre-European times. A hike up Mt. Temehani might lead you to the sacred Tiare Apetahi flower, found only on Raiatea , while a walk through the sacred Marae Taputapuatea takes you to the place where the ancient Polynesians set out to explore the vast reaches of the Pacifac, ranging from New Zealand to Hawaii and Easter Island . Raiatea is also birthplace of the legendary god, Hiro, father of the Polynesians. The hibiscus tree, or purau , is the wood used since time immemorial for outriggers of Polynesian proas. #Taha’a, Society Islands Just a kiss away from Raiatea is the island of Tahaa . Site of Vanilla plantations, pearl farms and not much else, it’s a delightfully quiet reminder of the old island ways. From the invitingly named little fishing village of Patio , take a boat out to a local pearl farm to see how pearl oysters are cultivated or savor an afternoon of basking in the shade of a palm tree on one of the tiny motus that dot the lagoon. The sunset view of Bora Bora in the distance will keep your camera very busy.   Are you aware that the USA is the only major country in the world not on the metric system!!!!

#BoraBora, Society Islands Even if you’ve never been there, most people recognize the chiseled peak of Mt. Otemanu on Bora Bora . This is where James Michener was stationed as a young naval officer, which later inspired him to write ‘Tales of the South Pacific’ . You can find remains of rusting WWII gun batteries hidden in the jungle-choked hillsides. Then quench your thirst at a bar called Bloody Mary’s. In pre-European times, Bora Bora was the launching place for fierce war parties to other islands. Today the peaceful lagoon is a favorite snorkeling place where you can hand feed harmless black-tipped sharks.Moorea, Society Islands Beloved by yachtsmen, Moorea’s heart-stopping beauty is a vision of paradise that takes your breath away. This was the real-life site of Michener’s longed for “special island,” Bali Hai. Star Flyer anchors in both Cook’s Bay and Opunahu Bay , so you’ll have two opportunities to savor every glorious view of this spectacular island. Take a 4X4 ride to the old Kellum Stop Estate and the top of Belvedere, where your Polynesian guide picks a fresh fruit from a tree to refresh your palate as you drink in the stunning panorama. THE TUOMOTUS: #Fakarava, #Tuomotus Islands More than 250km from bustling #Papeete, and contrasting markedly with the Society Islands’ volcanic peaks, the far-flung Tuomotus are low-lying coral atolls scattered in palm-topped leis on a languid sea, seldom visited by tourists and cruise ships. Lucky for you! For this is a naturalist’s nirvana and diver’s delight. On Fakarava Lagoon, the Garuae Pass ‘ 150 foot visibility offers in-your-face encounters with enormous schools of dolphins, rays, sharks and rainbows of reef fish. An old Catholic mission, dating from the 1850’s, watches over Fakarava’s 250 inhabitants, who support themselves mainly by pearl farming. #Tiputa, #Rangiroa, #Tuomotus Islands The village of Tiputa has the charming ambience of a faded French colonial town that remembers grander times. Perhaps that’s because the main attractions are not on shore but in the water. Rangiroa, the world’s second largest lagoon, is a center of Polynesian pearl culture, where the frilly-shelled pinctada margaritifera oyster produces lustrous black pearls of eye-popping size. At a local pearl farm, see how oysters suspended in the lagoon are implanted with tiny “seeds,” later harvested as the legendary South Seas pearls. A drift dive or snorkeling in cave-lined Tiputa Pass is an effortless passage through pelagic paradise! Rangiroa Lagoon Rangiroa Lagoon is so large, 392 square miles, that you can’t see from one side to the other. After a leisurely cruise from Tiputa, Star Flyer will anchor for an afternoon and night in the remote and seldom seen southeastern part of the Lagoon. Here visitors can explore a ghost town on a deserted motu where the lonely spire of a tiny church is the only remaining landmark. At Sables Roses, you’re in the pink (literally!) when you dig your toes into the glowing coral sands – and you won’t need rose-colored glasses!

The sights, sounds and food of Tahiti will touch all of your senses: Sight, Hearing, Smell, and Taste. Not to mention the truly incredible weather. The warmth of the sunshine, the rain showers, and the sea breezes will enthrall you!

French Polynesia, Bora Bora, island and lagoon, aerial view

 

JESS@FriendsTravel.com

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Space subject to availability, so please reserve soon get guarantee your cabins on the ships, chartering a yacht or catamaran, chartering a helicopter, and getting an incredible “VALUE” at a truly amazing resort. French Polynesia is one of those trips that one confirms as many months in advance as possible. Do not procrastinate!

Sailing Tahiti’s Islands is a amazing choice for a Honeymoon, Destination Wedding, if you are patient, [tons of paperwork], Birthdays, Anniversaries, Celebrations of any kind!