Tahiti and her Islands

Stunning natural beauty, rich fascinating culture, blissful cruising, awesome activities, romantic escapes… there truly is something for everyone on Tahiti and her 118 islands. So if you’re planning to stopover in French Polynesia, follow our guide and make your stay every bit as idyllic as your surroundings.

Admire the beauty of French Polynesia

The allure of Tahiti and her islands lies in the natural beauty that makes every beach, lagoon and mountain waterfall a scene straight from a postcard. The Society Islands are a group of high tropical islands encircled by colourful coral reefs and lagoons. Lush vegetation grows high above the lagoons and bays and floral scents permeate the tropical air. The pick of the myriad of tropical flowers growing throughout the Tahitian islands is the national flower, the Tiare, a heavily scented gardenia which forms the basis of the traditional lei necklaces.

Step away from the resorts into an unspoiled natural environment and you really can discover your own secret paradise – a world of crystal clear aquamarine waters and deserted white-sand beaches. All just waiting to be explored.

Adopt the Tahitians love of life

Reflecting their love of life and irrepressible spirit, music and dancing are an integral part of Tahiti’s culture. Dominated by ukuleles and hypnotic drumbeats, traditional Polynesian music can be heard reverberating through the islands and is much more than just a tourist attraction. Not to be missed, Heiva is the high point in the celebrations of Tahitian culture. Every year from late June to late July, islanders from all the archipelagos join together for a seemingly endless programme of festivities in Papeete and on some of the other islands. The emphasis is on traditional dance contests and singing competitions, but there are numerous other activities on offer including craft demonstrations, traditional sports competitions and mesmerising events such as walking over fire.

Tattoos and handicrafts are also important expressions of the cultural mix of these islands. Many Polynesian men and women sport magnificent tattoos (a word which comes from the Tahitian tatau), as symbols of their identity. Local crafts include stone sculptures, rosewood carvings, woven baskets and tifaifai – brilliantly coloured appliquéd or patchwork blankets used as a sign of welcome.

Sail the South Seas

Sailing has a very long tradition in French Polynesia, beginning with the original Polynesians who navigated as far as New Zealand and Hawaii. Then there were the intrepid explorers, Bougainville, Wallis, Cook, and renowned writers and artists like Melville, Maugham, Michener and of course, Paul Gauguin, whose colour-saturated canvases became the icon of the Polynesian myth.

There are many exciting cruise and sailing options to tempt you off dry land. In keeping with Tahiti’s revered sailing heritage, one unforgettable adventure is to climb aboard Star Flyer, a modern-day tall-ship that offers leisurely voyages through the stunning Society Islands. Over seven nights you can visit Huahine, Tahaa, Bora Bora and Moorea, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and listening to stories about the islands and their inhabitants from the enthusiastic crew.

Get Active

Hold onto your hat, your board or saddle – there’s plenty here for adventurous visitors! From world-class surfing and diving thanks to great waves, excellent underwater visibility and water temperatures between 25 and 30ºC year-round, to watching the whales come right up to the shore between July and October at Rurutu in the Australs. You can even enjoy an exhilarating ride through coconut plantations, across rivers and streams on a native Marquesan horse or take a guided hike though deep valleys and majestic mountains to marvel at the panoramic views across Tahiti and Moorea.

Fall in love all over again

From the moment you arrive on Tahiti and her islands, and feel the warm tropical air on your skin, catch the fragrance of frangipani blossom and listen to the lilting strains of Polynesian love songs, romance is in the air. And whether you’re honeymooning, celebrating your wedding anniversary or simply coming to spend time together, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to idyllic places to stay.

Bora Bora has always been the favourite location for honeymooners, and couples can also participate in traditional weddings that are not legally valid, but are truly magical just the same. The unique Polynesian over-water bungalow experience, where you can enjoy state-of-the-art luxury facilities surrounded by turquoise coloured lagoons, should definitely not be missed. As an extra treat, you can watch the dance of the tropical fish while waiting for a traditional canoe to bring your breakfast!

For the ultimate holiday, stay in an over-water bungalow at the very romantic and private 5-star Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa.

Stopover in Tahiti

For those short on time, we recommend staying on the main island of Tahiti to explore the town of Papeete and relax on the stunning beaches.

Getting to Tahiti

You can fly to Tahiti with Air New Zealand and their code share partner Air Tahiti Nui, Tahiti’s international airline. Austravel offers a number of stopover and holiday options throughout The Society Islands archipelago and can tailor-make your itinerary. Ask your Austravel Designer about offers available in Tahiti, including free nights and upgrades