Things to Do in Tahiti

French Polynesia is a tropical destination with lots of sun and just enough rain for its luxuriant vegetation and its colorful flowers. It receives in average 2,500 to 2,900 of sunshine per year. (ie : 8 hours of sun per day). Temperatures range between 24°C and 30°C all year through and lagoon water temperature varies between 23°C and 26°C.

Tahiti covers over two million square miles of the South Pacific Ocean and is comprised of 118 islands spread over five great archipelagos.

Many islands are crowned with jagged peaks while others appear to barely float above the breaking waves. Spread over an area 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.

The three archipelagos most sought by visitors are the Society Islands, comprised of Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a; The Tuamotu Atolls or "Tahiti's Strand of Pearls", include the atolls of Rangiroa, Manihi, Tikehau, and Fakarava; and the Marquesas, or "The Mysterious Islands."

The two other archipelagos, the Austral Islands and the Gambier Islands, lie to the south and the southeast, respectively, of the Society Islands. While very few travelers venture to these remote islands, those that do are not disappointed by the pristine environment.

Queen of the Pacific

Tahiti, the largest island throughout the country, towering over the ocean like a proud and royal Queen 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 iridescence of Mother Nature's light. The coastal lands, edged with a rugged coastline, are home to fields of tropical flowers and most of the island's population.

Papeete, meaning the " water basket, " 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, spas, fine dining and unique restaurants, nightclubs, vibrant markets, pearl shops, and boutiques.

Tahiti... The world's definition of paradise.

TAHITI-NUI MARE' ARE' A

Polynesian songs and legends have bestowed this famous South Pacific island many names such as ' Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze,' ' Mounting Place of the Sun,' ' Land of the Double Rainbow,' and ' The Gathering Place.'

Legends describe Tahiti-Nui and Tahiti-Iti as a great fish that swam away fron the sacred waters of Havai'i, now known as the lagoon shared by Raiatea and Taha'a.

Closer Than You Think

Easier to travel to than you might imagine, Tahiti's Faa'a Airport is under 8 hours by air from Los Angeles LAX airport, with daily nonstop flights and starting in the summer of 2005 – 3 non-stop flights a week from New York’s JFK airport. As far south of the equator as Hawaii is north, Tahiti is halfway 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 April-October and two hours behind California November-March).