The island of Tahiti
Tahiti is a mountainous island, one of the peaks of which Orohena reaches 2240 meters. On the northwest coast is the capital of Papete, as well as a port protected from ocean waves by reefs. The city stretches along the coast and along the slopes of the mountains, where luxurious mansions are located among tropical gardens under palm trees. Tahiti consists of two islands connected by a small isthmus. The Big Island of Tahiti Nui (Nui in Tahitian means big) has an almost round shape, the mountains alternate with valleys, and the foliage of the rainforest hides mysterious grottoes, temples, giant waterfalls…
At Tahiti Nui, the high Papenoo Valley crosses the Maroto Gorge and leads to Vaihiria Crater Lake. Driving around the island you admire the magnificent scenery of the coast with its long beaches covered with sand of volcanic origin. Palm trees, hibiscus, and breadfruit grow along the winding road. Your walk through Tahiti is accompanied by the singing of birds of paradise. On Tahiti Iti, the steep slopes of the mountains descend directly into the sea, and not everywhere can be driven by car.
Attractions :
Museum of black pearls, where you will be told about its history, production techniques, its mythological, philosophical and religious significance. You will learn about quality criteria that will allow you to judge for yourself the value of a pearl. Here you can also buy unique jewelry from the private collection of Robert Wang, the king of black pearls.
The Museum of Tahiti and its Islands tells about the history of Polynesia, about world-famous sailors who conquered the Pacific Ocean on fragile boats.
The Paul Gauguin Museum displays the life of this great artist in paintings, letters, memoirs.
The Papete market is of great interest to photography enthusiasts. The stalls are replete with bright bouquets of orchids and other tropical plants. Artisans offer pareos, taifai, mother-of-pearl trinkets and other original products. Here you can see fruits and vegetables, the existence of which you did not even suspect.
Papete City Hall is a copy of the palace of the great Queen Pomare IV, who ruled Tahiti at the end of the 19th century. Religion occupies an important place in the life of Polynesian society. Of particular interest are the Poafai Temple, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Chinese Mamao Temple…
Get to know Tahiti by helicopter or by car. From a height, basalt mountain peaks, canyons and powerful waterfalls appear.
Going around the island of Tahiti by car (115 km) you will rise 600 meters above sea level, from where an incomparable panorama of Papet and Moorea opens. Further, if desired, go to the commune where the last king of Tahiti, Pomare VI, is buried, this historical place will be of interest to lovers of colonial history. Afterwards, stop at Matavai Harbour, where Cook, Bougainville, Wallis and the famous Captain Blythe on the Bounty sailboat landed on their ships in the 18th century. At Cape Venus, where the first missionaries arrived, you will be told about the history of the island. On your way, don’t forget to stop at a small cafe where you will see 1.5-meter eels splashing between boulders and, of course, waterfalls in the rainforest. Here you will be offered coconut water, where the glass will be coconut.
On the coast of Tahiti, there are many sports clubs that offer fishing on the high seas (the international competition of Tahiti attracts famous athletes from all over the world), scuba diving and, of course, surfing. Surfers here will meet Teahupoo waves, recognized as one of the most difficult in the world.
Tourists are waiting for recreation and entertainment on the seashore: diving, surfing and windsurfing, island cruises, fishing, water skiing and much more.
Beaches
There are few good beaches here. The best of them, with white sand, are located between the areas of Punaauia (Punaauia) and Papara (Papara), Pointe Venus, a black sand beach located on the east coast of Tahiti, is also good.
Shopping
Next to the Black Pearl Museum there is a boutique where you can buy unique jewelry from the private collection of the “King of Black Pearls” Robert Wang. The cost of one pearl can reach hundreds of dollars, but there are also inexpensive specimens. At the Le Marché public market, you can buy local arts and crafts, oils and a wide variety of souvenirs.
Excursions
Museum of Black Pearls with a unique exposition of jewelry, Museum of Tahiti (the history of French Polynesia and the world-famous sailors who conquered the Pacific Ocean), Paul Gauguin Museum, Museum of the Ocean (“Lagunarium”). Papeete City Hall, Poafai Temple, Notre Dame Cathedral and Mamao Chinese Temple.
Entertainment
Sport fishing on the high seas (international competitions are held here), diving and surfing.
The waves in Tahiti are some of the most difficult in the world in terms of surfing, so there are always plenty of people who want to cope with them.
Extreme entertainment for the most daring guests of the island is diving with sharks.
BORA-BORA island
On Bora Bora, surrounded by coral reefs 30-50 meters from the coastline, there are more luxury hotels with swimming pools and luxurious beaches, tennis courts and golf courses, dive centers and pleasure boats than on all other islands of French Polynesia. World famous people love to relax here. In general, Bora Bora is an ideal place for a relaxing holiday.
On the island, you can use the beach of any hotel: there are no private beaches here.
Many local motu (“motu”, small islands) have hotels with bungalows standing directly on the water on stilts.
Flight / moving
Regular Air Tahiti flights from the islands of Tahiti (Papeete) and Moorea (~35 minutes), as well as from the islands of Hua Hin and Raiatea (~20 minutes). The local airport is located on one of the mountains of the island of Motu-Mute (Motu Mute). The island’s hotels can be reached by ferry that goes to the port village of Vaitape.
Excursions
The picturesque nature of the island of Bora Bora, the ancient temples of marae, mountains, all this can be seen while walking in a jeep. The tour of the island starts at the Vaitape pier. You are heading to the northern cape, to Faantui, the village where the tribal leaders lived. Many Polynesian mares have been preserved here. Further, the road passes through the ruins of a naval base built by the Americans during the war with the Japanese. The road, lined with coconut palms, leads to the southern point of the island and its amazing beauty of the beach and lagoon. Of course, the island can also be crossed by jeep along the former military road, where fragments of American military equipment are found. Riding in a jeep, on the steep slopes of the mountains in the middle of the rainforest, the sun and the singing of birds – all this is the island of Bora Bora.
The best way to discover the lagoon of this amazing island is during the “shark and ray feeding” excursion, as well as the “coral garden” excursion. The best way to learn about the customs of the island of Bora Bora and meet the locals is to go on a picnic on one of the motus, where they will tell you about plants, the way of cooking, where a charming Tahitian woman will teach you how to put on a pareo (women’s clothing, which is a rectangular piece of fabric ), and a local young tane (man) will teach you how to break a coconut, as they did before. You will also find unforgettable cuisine, fish dishes, breadfruit dishes, pineapples, sweets, dances and songs.
For scuba diving enthusiasts, Tupitupiti is the best place to visit, as large sharks, tuna and barracuda are found in this place.
Of course, the island of Bora Bora is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday. The hotels have white sand beaches and swimming pools. Headlights on the water create a feeling of peace, solitude, and a light splash of water complements it. In the evening you can enjoy the sunset on the terrace with family or friends, and in the morning a beautiful Tahitian woman will bring you breakfast by canoe.
Entertainment
Parasailing, windsurfing (free in almost all hotels), diving.
