Tahiti
Tahiti is a collection a small volcanic islands in the South Pacific and is known for its beaches, coral reefs, luxury hotels, and scuba diving. Tahiti is an ideal honeymoon and vacation location, and this website will provide all the information that you need to get started on planning your vacation.
Famous for their magnificent natural beauty, the 118 islands and atolls comprising Tahiti and Her Islands cover a land area of 40,145sq km. There are five archipelagoes altogether - the Society Islands (including Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora), the Austral Islands, the Marquesas, the Tuamotu atolls and the Gambier Islands. The islands of Tahiti are known for their intriguing blend of Polynesian, French and Asian culture. Papeete, on the island of Tahiti, is the capital.
The native population is Polynesian, and is estimated to have settled on the island sometime between AD 300 and 800, although some estimates place the date earlier.
The fertile island soil combined with fishing provided ample food for the population with ease. The perceived relaxed and contented nature of the local people and the characterization of the island as a paradise much impressed early European visitors, planting the seed for a romanticization by the West that endures to this day.
Although the islands were first spotted by a Spanish ship in 1606, Spain made no effort to trade with or colonize the island. Samuel Wallis, an English sea captain, sighted Tahiti on June 18, 1767, and is considered the first European visitor to the island.
Wallis was followed in April 1768 by the French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville who was completing the first French circumnavigation. Bougainville made Tahiti famous in Europe when he published the account of his travel in Voyage autour du Monde. He described the island as an earthly paradise where men and women live happily in innocence, away from the corruption of civilization. His account of the island powerfully illustrated the concept of the noble savage, and influenced the utopian thoughts of philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau before the advent of the French Revolution.
In 1774 Captain James Cook visited the island, and estimated the population at that time to be some 200,000. This was probably too high; another estimate from the same period was 121,500. After Cook's visit, European ships landed on the island with ever greater frequency. The best-known of these ships was HMS Bounty, whose crew mutinied shortly after leaving Tahiti in 1789. The European influence caused significant disruption to the traditional society, by bringing prostitution, venereal diseases, and alcohol to the island. Introduced diseases including typhus and smallpox killed so many Tahitians that by 1797, the island's population was only about 16,000. Later it was to drop as low as 6,000.
In 1842, a European crisis involving Morocco escalated between France and Great Britain when Admiral Dupetit-Thouars, acting independently of the French government, was able to convince Tahiti's Queen Pomare IV to accept a French protectorate. George Pritchard, a Birmingham-born missionary and acting British Consul, had been away at the time of the agreement. However he returned to work towards indoctrinating the locals against the Roman Catholic French. In November 1843, Dupetit-Thouars (again completely on his own initiative) landed sailors on the island, formally annexing it to France. He then proceeded to throw Pritchard into prison, subsequently sending him unceremoniously back to Britain.
News of the events in Tahiti had reached Europe in early 1844. The French statesman François Guizot, supported by King Louis-Philippe of France, had strongly disclaimed the annexation of the island. However, war between the French and the Tahitians continued until 1847. The island remained a French protectorate until June 29, 1880, when King Pomare V (1842–1891) was forced to cede the sovereignty of Tahiti and its dependencies to France. He was given the titular position of Officer of the Orders of the Legion of Honour and Agricultural Merit of France. In 1946, Tahiti and the whole of French Polynesia became a Territoire d'outre-mer (French overseas territory). In 2003, this status was changed to that of Pays d'outre-mer.
French painter Paul Gauguin lived on Tahiti in the 1890s and painted many Tahitian subjects. Papeari has a small Gauguin museum.
Population: 245,405. 86% live in the Society Islands, 7% in Tuamotu-Gambier, 4% in the Marquesas and 3% in the Austral Islands
Capital city: Papeete on the island of Tahiti
Area: The central Pacific Ocean , 5700km from Sydney (8hrs flying time), 3,900km from Auckland (5hrs flying time), and 5000km from Noumea (6hrs flying time)
Climate: Sunny and pleasant year-round. Average daytime temperatures are about 26ºC.
Hot season: November to March.
Rainy season: Most rain falls during the most humid months from December to February.
Cooler season: April to October.
Time zone: GMT minus 11 hours. The Marquesas are half an hour ahead of the rest of French Polynesia
Major attractions: Society Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, Austral Islands, Beaches & Lagoons, Gambier Islands, The Marquesas, fishing, snorkelling, diving, cruises, surfing, golf, horseriding, walking, historic sites and buildings, culture
The main island of French Polynesia is Tahiti Island in the Society Islands. Tahiti has fantastic tropical scenery and mountain ranges and lots of organized day tours to visit the waterfalls and rainforests of the interior and great hiking trails. A string of beach resorts line the sunny west coast although there are few good swimming beaches apart from several unusual black sand beaches which have excellent surfing. The capital Papeete, on the north west coast a few minutes drive north of the international airport is a busy town with a distinct French flavour.
Of the other Society Islands, the main destination for tourism is Moorea Island which is clearly visible from Tahiti and just a 15-minute flight or hour ferry ride. Moorea is much more laid back than Tahiti, has some nice beaches along its north and west coasts and spectacular sightseeing along its coastal road including the delightful Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay.
The other popular island to visit is glamourous Bora Bora known as the jewel of the Society Islands with spectacular panoramas, exceptional snorkelling and lots of tours to keep you busy. Bora has over 20 large beach resorts, and over 500 overwater bungalows in the lagoon; many consider the island too commercialized for a peaceful romantic holiday. More down to earth and equally spectacular is Maupiti, a smaller version of Bora Bora further west with just a few small guesthouses and lots of lovely beaches.
Huahine is the most traditional in the Society Islands with a large Polynesian population and lots of interesting archaeological sites. The rugged twin islands of Raiatea & Tahaa are exceptional sailing destinations and offer some good scuba diving sites as well as lots of gorgeous uninhabited coral islands in the lagoon to visit on a day tour.
The Tuamotu Islands to the east of Tahiti and the Society Islands is a large expanse of tiny coral islands with palm fringed beaches, great snorkelling and scuba diving and some of the largest lagoons in the world. These islands are ideal for those looking for absolute rest and relaxation in secluded environments.
For those who like off the beaten track exploring, both the Marquesas Islands in the far north of French Polynesia and the Austral Islands in the far south are stunning wild islands with amazing coastlines and rich in history. These islands have little accommodation and few tourists, and remain the best islands in Tahiti to experience traditional Polynesian life.
Love luscious tropical fruits? How about your choice of seafood caught just hours before dinner? And what about a European cheese plate with a crusty baguette and good French wine? If this sounds like your idea of paradise, then Tahiti is for you!
Food in Tahiti is a delicious fusion of French, Asian, and Pacific Island cuisine. Fresh, good food is abundant and diverse. And, as both the French and the Tahitians are known for their passion for vanilla, it’s been incorporated into their cuisine more than in any other vanilla-growing region I’ve visited.
The big event of the year is the two-week-long Heiva i Tahiti, which runs from the end of June to Bastille Day (14 July). Formerly known as La Fête du Juillet or the Tiurai Festival (the Tahitian word tiurai comes from the English July), the Heiva originated way back in 1882. Today contestants and participants from all over the territory travel to Tahiti to take part in elaborate processions, competitive dancing and singing, feasting, and partying. There are bicycle, car, horse, and outrigger-canoe races, petanque, archery, and javelin-throwing contests, fire walking, sidewalk bazaars, arts and crafts exhibitions, tattooing, games, and joyous carnivals. Bastille Day itself, which marks the fall of the Bastille in Paris on 14 July 1789 at the height of the French Revolution, features a military parade in the capital. You'll see historical reenactments at Marae Arahurahu, a canoe race along the Papeete waterfront, horse racing at the Pirae track, and traditional dance competitions.
The Moorea Blue Marathon has been held every February since 1988. A traditional Maohi sports festival in late April features javelin throwing, rock lifting, coconut tree climbing, coconut husking, races while carrying loads of fruit, etc. The Te Aito individual outrigger canoe race is held on Tahiti around the end of July. The Hawaiki Nui Va'a outrigger canoe race in early November is a stirring three-day event with canoe teams crossing from Huahine to Raiatea the first day, Raiatea to Taha'a the second, and Taha'a to Bora Bora the third.
Diving & Snorkelling The clear waters are ideal for scuba diving with lagoons, oceanic reef slopes and reef passes to explore. Divers can see schools of manta rays and sharks which forage in the warm waters, and Morea and Bora Bora offer shark and ray feeding excursions. Inside the reefs there is excellent swimming and snorkelling.
Cruises
More than 20 companies offers cruises throughout Tahiti and the islands, including honeymoon, sunset, lagoon and dive cruises. Options include half-day and day trips, with longer cruises on request. Boats can be chartered with or without crew. Many of the yachts are based in Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea and the Marquesas.
Surfing
The islands are a surfing Mecca famous for their excellent beaches, and attracting some of the world's top surfers. Tahiti is a key centre for international competitions.
Horse Riding
Horse treks are a good way to explore the interior of the islands. The Australes and Marquesas are ideal spots for trekking, and some of their beautiful forests contain paved paths for riding. Other islands offer beach riding.
Golf
Tahiti has the country's only golf course - the Olivier Breaud International green. This 18-hole course is built on the site of a former plantation and rum factory.
Walking & 4WD Tours
A chance to explore the unspoilt interior of the islands, with their secluded valleys, cascading waterfalls, lush rainforests and secret caves. Scenery is particularly spectacular in the rugged volcanic groups, such as the Society Islands and Marquesas.
Historic Sites
Tahiti and her islands have many preserved archaeological sites, known as 'Marae'. These sacred religious sites are usually built of raised and aligned stones.
Historic Buildings
Many of the islands have historic chapels, in particular the Gambier group. Known as the Cradle of Polynesian Catholicism, the Gambier group hold more than 100 stone buildings dating from the 19th century.
Warm tropical weather year-round. Climate divided into two seasons: November - March is summer, daily temp is 86F. Rainy & Humid. Rain comes in the form of warm tropical storms that usually arrives quickly, and disappears just as fast. The months of April - October is Tahiti's winter. The daily temp is 86F/70F and is pleasantly cooler. The best time to travel is between June & October . Water temps are in the low 80's. June - August are the most popular times to travel and are busy times with flights hard to get. There is no hurricane season as these islands are outside the hurricane zones of the Pacific.