| Tahiti | Moorea | Tetiaroa | Bora Bora |
| Huahine | Raiatea /Tahaa | Maupiti |
With a superficy of 1042 km2, Tahiti is the largest of the Polynesian islands. Tahiti population is also the most concentrated especially in Papeete.
Even though her beaches are not really the most beautiful ones in French Polynesia, you will find some beautiful white sand beaches between the districts of Punaauia and Papara. The black sand beach of the Pointe Vénus is the most famous of the black sand beaches located on the East coast of Tahiti.
The interior of the island offers splendid and unforgettable opportunities for hiking or safari 4x4 excursions, with impressive waterfalls, archeological sites, grottoes, etc...
To visit:thePapeete Public Market; the art galleries in Papeete and in the districts of Papara and Afaahiti; the museums; the churches like the Cathedrale of Papeete; the Botanical Garden in Papeari and the Mataoa Gardens in Papara; the different town halls like in Papeete, Arue, Faaa; the historical Pointe Vénus lighthouse; the tomb of the royal family Pomare in Arue; the marae Arahurahu; the lake Vaihiria with its eels that have ears; the different valleys and mountains of Tahiti like the Aorai, the Mont Marau; the 3 cascades (waterfalls) of Tiarei; the lavatubes of Hitiaa; and of course the peninsula and the cliffs of the "Pari", paradise for hikers looking for adventure...
Do not hesitate to circle the island. In Taravao, you can reach the peninsula of Tahiti iti by crossing the small isthm.
Papeete is also the place to browse for the famous Tahitian Black Pearl!
The sister island of Tahiti, well visible from the West Coast of Tahiti and at a distance of only 17 km, has a superficy of 135 km2 and counts among her 8 mountains the Rotui at an altitude of 900m and the fascinating Moua Puta (pierced mountain) that you can admire when you arrive via ferry in the Port of Vaiare.
At only 5 mn from Tahiti by plane, Moorea is an ideal destination for the Tahitians willing to escape the faster pace of Tahiti. The main ressources of Moorea are the plantation of pineapple and of course the hotel industry.
To visit: The 2 majestuous bays of Cook and of Opunohu, the Belvédère with its panoramic view of the 2 bays, the distillery and fruit juice factory, the plantations of pineapple, the waterfalls of Afareiatu, the Dolphin Quest to snorkle with dolphins, the Tiki Theatre that recreates a traditional polynesian village, the art galleries and the magnificent "motu"(islets).
Dolphin Quest
Photo courtesy of Pacific promotions
Located at 44 km North of Tahiti and most visible from the hills of the district of Mahina, this atoll administered by the district of Arue, is, since 1965, the property of Marlon Brando who fell in love with these islets when filming the Mutiny of the Bounty. With only one small canoe pass, this atoll is mainly accessible by plane. Marlon Brando built there a small hotel called Tetiaroa Village.
To visit with care: The Bird island
At a distance of 260km from Tahiti, these 40 km2 of superficy were once paradise for the US Navy in the Pacific during World War II. Bora Bora is recognizable by the flat profile of her mountain Otemanu and above all known for the beauty of her turquoise waters.
To visit: the motus especially Motu Tapu; the raised stones of the royal Farerua marae;the former US naval base; the summit of Mt Pahia for its breathtaking view...
Composed of 2 islands linked by a bridge, Huahine lies on a superficy of 80 km2, 170km away from Tahiti. Many archeological sites have been discovered there and Huahine is still intact in many aspects.
Do not miss visiting the interior of the island, the numerous marae and the vanilla plantations!
Also good surfing spots!
Located 220 km North West of Tahiti, Raiatea is the largest and the administrative center of the Leeward Islands (Iles Sous Le Vent) with a superficy of 200 km2. She shares her lagoon with the neighbour island of Tahaa (88km2), at a distance of only 5 km.
In the past named Havaii, original land of the Maohi, Raiatea is a sacred island and she proves it by the number of her marae including the largest in Polynesia and the most famous one of Taputapuatea. She also has the deepest bay in Polynesia: the bay of Faaroa.
On the mont Temehani, and nowhere else in the world (it resists transplantation), grows a unique and protected flower: the Tiare Apetahi, white flower with four petals, bigger and more open than the ones of the Tiare Tahiti, and that only opens at dawn with a slight poping sound. Many locals sleep overnight on the mountain to be able to hear that sound...
To visit: the "bassin de la Reine"; the marae Taputapuatea, the mountain Tapioi, the mountain Temehani with its tiare apetahi, the site Te Puhapa, the vanilla plantations...
In Tahaa: the Foundation Hibiscus for the protection of sea turtles, the pearl farms...
Located at only 40 km from Bora Bora, Maupiti is a small island with a superficy of a little less than 20 km2. With only 1 difficult pass, the access by sea of this island is limited. This island, which has been inhabited since at least 850 A.C, has at least 60 marae including the impressive marae Vaiahu.
