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At the moment : Prime 10 greatest issues to see & do French Polynesia
Generally known as “The Islands of Tahiti”, French Polynesia is a group of 118 islands and atolls scattered throughout a formidable nautical floor space the scale of Western Europe. The islands – that are house to some fabulous luxurious inns – are located midway between Los Angeles, California and Sydney, Australia. Few locations on the planet have a extra unique really feel to their identify than French Polynesia has. A few of these islands, like Bora Bora and Moorea are amongst probably the most stunning and paradisiac islands on the planet, and it’s no surprise that legendary artists like Paul Gaughin or Jacques Brel as soon as known as them house. Right here’s my high 10 checklist of one of the best issues to see & do in French Polynesia.
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10. FLY WITH AIR TAHITI NUI
If you wish to begin your vacation to French Polynesia earlier than even setting a foot on the islands, I like to recommend to fly with Air Tahitu Nui, the nation’s flagship service. In 2019, Air Tahiti Nui solely renewed its fleet by 4 Boeing 787-9s, which it proudly calls its “Tahitian Dreamliners”. One of many nice issues about flying with Air Tahiti Nui is the tropical ambiance of its plane, which immerses you within the “mana” of the Tahitian island as quickly as you step onboard (learn my assessment right here). For instance, a floor-to-ceiling picture of Bora Bora island takes middle stage within the airplane’s entry galley, a reminder that the airplane is about to move to one of many world’s most stunning paradises. Upon coming into the airplane, the historically dressed and at all times smiling cabin crew additionally fingers out Tiare flowers, the nationwide flower of the islands of Tahiti. All of it evokes a way of vacation, which helps to go away behind the annoyances and stress of attending to and thru the airport. Air Tahiti Nui offers service to Tahiti from Paris, Los Angeles, Seattle, Auckland and Tokyo. By way of partnerships and code share agreements, the airways presents connections from 30+ different locations, together with Sydney, Beijing and New York.
9. EXPLORE THE ISLAND OF MOOREA
Believed to have impressed the legendary Bali Hai from James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific, Moorea is likely one of the most scenically putting islands in French Polynesia. Possessing a relaxed vibe and welcoming spirit, Moorea is simply as heat and alluring because the Tahitians fortunate sufficient to name this island house. Situated solely ten nautical miles from Tahiti, Moorea is definitely accessible by ferry or airplane from Papeete. This proximity, coupled with the island’s receptive and neighborly nature, makes Moorea a favourite vacation spot for vacationers. Nonetheless, Moorea has managed to take care of its small island really feel regardless of this recognition and the presence of some internationally branded resorts. The attraction towards Moorea comes as no shock; the island is a geographical marvel. Eight voluminous mountain peaks rise from its translucent lagoon, creating a particular and rugged silhouette seen from the western coast of Tahiti. Splitting the northern shore are two symmetrical bays: Cook dinner’s (Paopao) and Opunohu Bay. The island is roughly formed like a coronary heart from overhead; and within the theme of affection and romance, Moorea is likely one of the high honeymoon locations in Tahiti -second solely to Bora Bora.
8. WATCH SURFERS AT TEAHUPOO, THE WORLD’S HEAVIEST WAVE
Made up of two components – the bigger a part of the island known as Tahiti Nui and the smaller part known as Tahiti Iti – the island of Tahiti is a paradise for water sports activities of all types. This contains rise up paddle-boarding, canoeing, kayaking and physique boarding, however the browsing here’s a second to none, particularly in case you like your waves heavy. The very best time to surf in Tahiti is from Could to August throughout the dry season. The surf breaks alongside the south and southwest coasts are reef breaks, with giant hole waves just like these present in Hawaii. One other fashionable season for surf is October to March when swells from the north and are usually higher for much less skilled surfers as they’re much less heavy and extra wall-like than the hole waves that hit in the summertime. If you need to learn to surf, Tahiti have a number of good surf colleges you could go to.
Each August, Tahiti Iti turns into the house to the Tahiti Professional Teahupoo surf occasion hosted by the World Surf League. Skilled surfers come from everywhere in the world to compete within the crushing swell and ominous coral reef of Teahupoo, positioned on the southeast coast of Tahiti. Often known as the “heaviest” wave on the planet, Teahupoo or “Chopes” as it’s generally known as, is an final surf spot for a lot of skilled surfers. It’s well-known for constant barrels and whereas the waves are heavy, it’s also shallow so this spot is taken into account too harmful for all however probably the most skilled surfers. Vacationers with none browsing expertise can nonetheless exit on a ship with Teahupoo Adventures for a one hour tour, watching the well-known Teahupoo waves and its surfers at shut vary.
7. DISCOVER THE ARCHIPELAGO’S MOUNAINEOUS INLAND SCENERY
The Islands of Tahiti are famed for his or her crystal-clear turquoise lagoons, beautiful seashores and picturesque overwater bungalows. However though a big a part of a tropical island’s attraction lies round its coast, it’s completely value venturing into the rugged interiors of French Polynesia’s bigger mountainous islands corresponding to Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea. Residence to spectacular waterfalls, putting mountain peaks, lush valleys, and historic ruins, there may be a lot to be explored and appreciated. Whether or not you’re a newbie or extra superior, there are many alternatives for mountain climbing in French Polynesia. Most mountain climbing trails result in lookouts with sweeping views, river slides, volcanic valleys and swimmable rock swimming pools. On the distant Marquesas Islands, you possibly can even mix mountain climbing with a horseback trip throughout the plateaus and valleys that really feel untouched by human contact. A native information is really useful, as entry to most of the trailheads may be tough; sure areas require hikers to acquire permits beforehand, and others can solely be accessed by 4 wheel drive.
6. RELAX ON A TROPICAL BEACH
With 118 islands dotted within the mighty blue South Pacific Ocean, French Polynesia has, as you in all probability anticipate, some fairly superior seashores. From the black sand seashores on Tahiti’s east coast to the pristine white sand seashores on Bora Bora, guests will take pleasure in turquoise water and luxurious vegetation irrespective of which seaside they select. Besides within the Marquesas, that are nearly devoid of coral, most islands in French Polynesia have bathtub-like lagoons that lap on white-coral sands draped by coconut palms. A number of the archipelago’s greatest seashores are Matira Seaside (Bora Bora), La Plage De Maui (Tahiti), and Temae Plage Publique (Moorea). It doesn’t matter what seaside you go to in French Polynesia, at all times be respectful, pack out what you pack in and look after them like an area. Now seize a towel, some sunscreen and a very good ebook to arrange to lounge within the solar on among the greatest seashores on the planet.
5. EXPLORE BORA BORA’S VIBRANT LAGOON
Simply 12 miles (19 km lengthy), the plush little slipper of land known as Bora Bora lies in one of many world’s most stunning lagoons. The lagoon’s clear, turquoise waters and the encircling coral reef make for some memorable snorkeling with tropical-colored fish, innocent reef sharks and large manta rays gliding leisurely by the coral gardens. Quite a few firms provide day-trip excursions, however Lagoon Service is really useful for its well-maintained boats, pleasant ukulele-playing guides, and glorious Polynesian fare. Visitors get to cruise across the islands and make stops to snorkel in coral gardens, swim amongst playful rays, and expertise the fun of swimming with docile sharks. The journey concludes with a lunch, loved at a desk arrange within the shallow aquamarine water. The picnic contains the whole lot from poisson cru to coconut bread and all types of contemporary fruits.
4. STAY AT THE BRANDO
The Brando is the last word luxurious resort in French Polynesia and one of many world’s most unique personal island resorts. Simply 30 miles (50 km) north of Tahiti, the resort is positioned within the breathtakingly stunning personal atoll of Tetiaroa, which is comprised of a dozen idyllic islands surrounding a spectacular lagoon. With entry offered by personal airplane, the atoll presents carefree luxurious within the midst of pristine nature and is a particular place of uncommon biodiversity and a pure sanctuary for birds and marine life. The all-inclusive The Brando Resort options 35 deluxe villas every with its personal personal seaside space and plunge pool, eating places showcasing Polynesian and French delicacies, an opulent Polynesian spa, a seaside bar & pool, natural backyard, library, boutique, water sports activities, and an environmental analysis station with visitor applications. It was on this pure wonderland that the legendary actor Marlon Brando settled down, and eventually discovered his house. Learn my assessment of The Brando right here (or watch my YouTube video beneath).
3. FLY OVER BORA BORA’S STUNNING LANDSCAPE IN A HELICOPTER
Top-of-the-line methods to discover the island of Bora Bora – and its an infinite palette of blues and greens – is from the sky throughout a panoramic helicopter flight between steep mountains and probably the most stunning lagoon on the planet! Tahiti Nui Helicopters, specialist in panoramic helicopter flights over French Polynesia and a subsidiary of Air Tahiti Nui – presents unique excursions over Bora Bora on board their helicopters. After a security briefing along with your pilot, you’ll be outfitted with a headset with microphones and luxuriate in a guided tour of this magnificent island with fowl’s eye views of the lagoon, the overwater bungalows, Mt Otemanu and the varied motus that encompass the island. The ten, 20 or 30-minute helicopter flights may be booked on a shared- or private-flight foundation. The 30-minute tour reaches so far as the well-known island of Tupai, the guts formed island positioned subsequent to Bora Bora.
2. STAY IN AN OVERWATER BUNGALOW IN BORA BORA
Image of exoticism, romanticism, and an absolute dream for 1000’s of vacationers, nothing says rest and luxurious like an overwater bungalow. It’s the place you possibly can really immerse your self within the seascape with out truly being at sea. Whilst you would suppose that this fashion of lodging has existed for hundreds of years, and positively many cultures nonetheless reside in floating homes, the idea of overwater bungalows truly originated within the Sixties in French Polynesia. Again in 1967, three Californians, Hugh Kelley, Muk McCallum, and Jay Carlisle, later generally known as the “Bali Hai Boys”, constructed their very first resort in Moorea. With no seashores or sand to fulfill vacationers, they developed an concept that might profoundly remodel tourism on the planet: why not enable direct entry to the lagoon and observe marine life from a room constructed above the water. The overwater bungalow was thus born. The resort’s recognition rocketed after an opportunity function within the December 1962 challenge of Life journal, and the idea unfold all through Tahiti.
From the second they opened, Marlon Brando stayed within the overwater bungalows, and immediately, the romance of Robinson Crusoe remains to be a success with the celebs. Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyoncé, Keanu Reeves, Ellen Degeneres, Justin Bieber, Catherine Deneuve and Vincent Cassel, to call however a couple of, have all stayed in an over water bungalow within the turquoise waters of Tahiti and its islands. At the moment there are a whole bunch of over water bungalows in French Polynesia, unfold throughout 22 inns discovered on seven islands. All however one are discovered within the Society Islands, and Bora Bora particularly, which presents probably the most unique overwater inns. The 4 Seasons Bora Bora, St Regis Bora Bora, Conrad Bora Bora Nui and the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa all present luxurious overwater lodging with a backdrop of lush, verdant mountains and peaks.
1. SWIM WITH HUMBACK WHALES
Humpback whales are seasonal guests to French Polynesia. From early August to the top of October, the enormous animals are ample within the clear and heat waters across the archipelago as they seek for a mate or nurse their younger. French Polynesia declared itself a Marine Mammal Sanctuary in 2002 providing safety to all the 20 species of whales and dolphins discovered right here. It’s also one of many few international locations on the planet the place it’s allowed to swim with whales. A number of tour operators provide whale watch boat excursions, hosted by a group of marine biologists and naturalist guides. Vacationers are solely allowed to enter the water with humpback whales after a biologist on board has noticed their floor exercise and deems it secure and non-invasive for each the friends and the whales. Though sightings are by no means assured, your greatest possibilities for recognizing (and swimming with) whales is on the island of Moorea.
Beneath you possibly can watch a video in 4K documenting my whale watch journey in Tahiti (which I booked with an organization known as Topdive, primarily based on the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa). Wanting humpback whales within the eye whereas swimming with them is a very unforgettable journey that touched my soul in an unimaginable approach. I used to be extraordinarily fortunate to have an unbelievable shut encounter with a household of three magnificent whales who stayed with our small group for a couple of hour! I recorded the complete expertise in 4K with my GoPro.
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