Explore French Polynesia magical islands and relax on secluded beaches, take a dip in
a cerulean lagoon and trek through lush rainforest on one of it's
islands.
Tahiti
Better known by the name of its main island, Tahiti,
French Polynesia is a mesmerising wonderland of reef-fringed islands
and translucent aqua lagoons. Shamelessly chic and seductive, it's the
kind of place where the rich and famous come to play and hedonistic
honeymoon fantasies are realised. The epitome of the Pacific dream, this
is one Garden of Eden so damn beautiful it's hard to believe it really
exists.
Tahiti is the most famous island in the South Seas – Queen of the
Pacific. The island has the 2 highest mountain peaks in Polynesia, one
reaching over 7,000 feet. Often called the “Land of Double Rainbows”,
“Romantic Island” or “Island of Love”, Tahiti is in fact the largest and
most populated of the 118 islands and atolls that comprise Polynesia.
The island is historically known as O’tahiti and is divided into 2 parts
known as Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti (Big Tahiti & Little Tahiti).
The largest is Mount Orohena, the lesser is Mount Roonui, connected to
each other by an isthmus creating one island.
Bora-Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora is unquestionably the most famous island in the South Pacific
and is the island that inspired romantic movies such as “South Pacific”
and most recently as seen on "Couples Retreat"
filmed at St Regis Bora Bora. It’s ancient name “Pora Pora” meaning
‘first born” came from legends describing this as the first island to
rise when Taaroa, the supreme god, fished it out of the waters after the
mythical creation of Havaii now known as Raiatea.
Moorea, French Polynesia
The majestic island of Moorea is only 12 miles across what locals call the Sea of Moons from its sister island of Tahiti Nui.
Only 30 minutes by boat or 10 minutes by air, this island covers an
area of 53 square miles and is 36 miles around. It can easily be
circled by rental car or scooter. With only 12,000 inhabitants, the
pace of life is much slower here than on the big island of Tahiti Nui
and is everyone’s dream of rural paradise.
Huahine, French Polynesia
Huahine is truly an undiscovered paradise among the Society Islands.
The island itself is actually 2 islands known as Huahine Nui &
Huahine Iti (Big and Little Huahine) It is located 110 miles northwest
of Tahiti
and is 28 square miles in size. A bridge connects the 2 islands and
can be easily explored in a day or two or more. Huahine sits just
opposite Raiatea and Taha’a from Bora Bora,
and is larger, greener, more pristine, more culturally rich and pure
than most of the Leeward Islands. It boasts the most archeological &
sacred sites and the nicest people anywhere in French Polynesia.
French Polynesia is a French overseas territory located in the Pacific
Ocean. It is made up of several groups of islands,
the largest and most populated of which is
Tahiti. Tourist facilities are well developed and are available on the
major islands.
There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in French Polynesia. However, there is a U.S. Consular Agent in French Polynesia who can provide assistance.
Centre Tamanu Iti, 1er etage
Punaauia, B.P. 381616, 98718 Punaauia, Polynesie Francaise
Telephone: (689) 42 65 35
U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji
158 Princes Road, Suva, Fiji
Telephone: 679-331-4466
Faa'a International Airport on Tahiti,
is the only international airport in French Polynesia. It's on the
outskirts of Pape'ete, about 5km west of the capital. International
check-in desks are at the east end of the terminal.
Coming from the USA you can either fly direct from Los Angeles to Pape'ete or go via Honolulu (there's no difference in the fare). Air New Zealand and Air Tahiti Nui serve this route, and Air France and Corsair flights from Paris to Pape'ete go via Los Angeles (Corsair flights are also available via San Francisco). Return fares from Los Angeles to Pape'ete range from around US$800 to US$1500. If you are starting your trip in Honolulu, return fares from Honolulu to Pape'ete start from US$700 in the low season (January to May) and US$900 in the high season (November to December).
There are no direct flights from Canada, so you will need to go via Honolulu or the US West Coast. Return fares from Vancouver via Los Angeles start from C$2200 in the low season.
Grand hotel Mykonos
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