French Polynesia

Made up of 5 different archipelagoes - each distinct and unique in its own right - French Polynesia is a vacation destination par excellence. A picture perfect paradise with unspoilt beaches and towering mountains, this tiny Pacific Island Group is home to some of the most stunning locations on the planet. Pristine and rugged, the landscape here is phenomenally beautiful and is unlike anyplace else on earth!

Located half way between Los Angeles and Sydney in the Southern Pacific Ocean, French Polynesia’s nearest neighbors are the Cook Islands, which sit some 900 km to the west. Spread out across an area of 2 million square miles, French Polynesia is largely uninhabited and is the perfect escape for those who want some quiet time alone.

The most popular of the archipelagoes here has to be the Society Islands, which comprise of Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Tahaa as well as a few other islands. Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia and plays host to the only international airport in the region. A popular stopover while exploring the rest of the islands, Tahiti offers some accommodations, restaurants and museums to enjoy. The Society Islands are also most frequented and gorgeous of all the five archipelagoes.

East of Tahiti lies the Tuamotu Archipelago, made up of some 77 atolls that stretch some 500 km from east to west. Life is idyllic here with some superb snorkeling and diving opportunities as well as some good fishing. Rangiroa has some of the best scuba-diving in the area, while the Manihi atoll is worth seeing for its world famous black pearls.

The Marquesas Islands lie some 1,208 km northeast of Tahiti and boast a wealth of archaeological remains. The first islands to be inhabited by the Polynesians during the ‘great migration’, the Marquesas today have a number of interesting ancient sights that are definitely worth seeing.

South of Tahiti lie the Austral Islands that are rarely visited but equally beautiful. Quite remote, these islands offer some good spelunking opportunities as well as some excellent whale watching.

Far south of Tuamotu, the Gambier Islands is the most remote island group. Relatively isolated, the first Catholic mission in French Polynesia was established here in 1834, of which the Cathedral of St. Michael still stands today.

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