FRENCH POLYNESIA - ISLANDS OF TAHITI
YOUR GUIDE TO FRENCH POLYNESIA
Find Your Piece of Paradise Above or Under The Crystalline Waters of the South Pacific
Home to hundreds of breathtaking islands with diverse marine life, pristine beaches and unparalleled views, French Polynesia is the epitome of heaven on earth. Located in the South Pacific Ocean between Australia and South America, visitors will be left speechless from the moment they arrive by the islands’ untouched nature and authentic culture. Whether you choose to go diving and explore the stunning underwater world or bask in the tranquility of the more secluded islands of Maupiti and Tikehau, French Polynesia is a tropical playground for all.
Top Attractions & Activities:
Diving
Belvedere Lookout (Moorea)
Arahoho Blowhole (Tahiti)
Matira Beach (Bora Bora)
Faarumai Waterfalls (Tahiti)
Snorkeling
Coral Gardens (Bora Bora)
Papeete Market
Maupiti Island
'Ōpūnohu Bay (Moorea)
Point Venus (Tahiti)
Capital and Population:
Located on the island of Tahiti, Papeete, is the capital city of French Polynesia. The current population is over 282,000.
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Language Spoken:
Although each island group has its own language, French and Tahitian are the official languages of French Polynesia. English is spoken in all hotels, but you will also find that in the majority of the larger islands, English is spoken in most shops and restaurants. English is less spoken on the more remote islands.
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Currency:
The CFP franc (XPF or CFP) is the currency used in French Polynesia.
With international hotels having a higher exchange rate and banks being closed on Sunday and with limited hours on Saturday, it’s a good idea to exchange money upon arrival at the bank and ATM at Faa’a International Airport. If you plan to stay on the main islands, credit cards are widely used with the most common being Mastercard and Visa. On the more isolated islands such as Fakarava and Manihi, you will need to carry cash. You can find ATMs or “billetterie” on the main islands as well as in some post offices.
Best Time to Visit and Weather:
There is no bad time to visit when it comes to experiencing all of the natural beauty the islands have to offer, but you may find some months are better than others. July and August are considered peak season but this is the best time to experience ideal beach weather with low humidity. The wettest time of the year is during French Polynesia’s long summer- November to April. Dry season is from May to October with balmy temperatures ranging from low 70s to high 80s.
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Interesting Facts:
French Polynesia consists of 118 islands, 5 archipelagos and spans over two million square miles in the South Pacific Ocean!
The national flower of Tahiti is the Tiare- when tucked behind the left ear, it means you’re taken and when worn behind the right ear, it means you’re single.
The overwater bungalow was first created on the island of Moorea in the 1960’s.
There is no residential mail delivery. Instead, Tahitian letterboxes are used for bread which is delivered twice daily!
There are only 13 letters in the Tahitian alphabet- a, e, i, o, u, f, h, m, n, p, r, t and v. If you’re wondering how Bora Bora got its name since the letter “B” doesn’t exist, it’s because it’s actually Pora Pora, but early visitors most likely misheard it as Bora Bora.
