About Tahiti

French Polynesia consists of five great Archipelagos, the Society, Austral, Tuamotu, Gambier, and Marquesas islands, running from northwest to southeast. It is the Society Islands that the majority of visitors visit as Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora are situated in the Society isles. The total land area of these 118 islands and atolls adds up to only 1,544 square miles, and yet they are scattered over more than 3 million square miles of Pacific Ocean. Papeete, capital of French Polynesia, is located on Tahiti, the largest island, at 17 degrees 32 min. S. Latitude and 149 degrees 34 min. W. Longitude. It is 4,050 miles from California and 3,350 miles from Australia. There is a wonderful geological diversity to French Polynesia, from dramatic, jagged volcanic outlines of the Society Islands to the 400 meter high hills of the Australs and Gambiers, to the low coral atolls of the Tuamotus.


Weather
French Polynesia is an all year round detination. The hotter and more humid season runs from November thru to April whilst the rest of the year is somewhat drier and cooler. Rainfall is greatest in the mountains and along the windward shores of the high islands. There can be long, sunny weather anytime of year and seasonal variations should not be a pivotal factor in deciding when to travel.

Yearly average temperature at Tahiti-Faaa International Airport: 25.9° Celsius, 79° Fahrenheit.

 
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
26.9°C 27°C 27.2°C 27°C 26.2°C 25.1°C
 80F 80F 80F 80F 79F 77F
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
 24.6°C 24.4°C 24.8°C 25.5°C 26.1°C 26.5°C
76F  76F 77F 77F 79F 79F

  Flora & Fauna
Here is Tahiti and French Polynesia the air is sweet with the bouquet of tropical blossoms such as bursting bougainvillea, camellia, frangipani, ginger, orchids, poinsettia, and pitate jasmine. The fragrant tiare Tahiti is the national flower and can be seen everywhere worn by the locals behind the ear. Behind the left ear if you are happily taken and the right ear if you are still available. Of the 90 species of birds in French Polynesia 59 are found in Tahiti and the other Society Islands, of which 33 are native.

Tahiti Highlights
Tahiti and French Polynesia abound in things to see and do, including many of the “not to be misses” category. Papeete’s colorful morning market and captivating waterfront welcome you to Tahiti, the territory’s largest by far. The 73 mile road around Tahiti passes historic monuments, museums, temple ruins, beaches, waterfalls, cliffs, gardens and countless scenic views. You should not pass up the opportunity to take the ferry to Moorea and see the islands stunning Opunohu Valley, replete with splendid scenery, lush vegetation, and fascinating archaeological sites. Moorea has the long white beach and brilliant reefs Tahiti lacks, and accommodations are abundant. The soaring peaks and blue-green lagoon at Bora Bora have been applauded many times and quite rightly so, they truly are captivating. The Shark feeding and Mant Ray viewing in Bora Bora is extraordinary and the dolphin encounters on Moorea very memorable.

Activities
As elsewhere in the South Pacific, scuba diving is the most popular sport among visitors. The best coral and marine-life viewing by far is available in the Tuamotus and serious divers won’t go wrong by choosing Rangiroa, the shark-viewing capital of Polynesia. In the warm waters of Polynesia, wetsuits are not required. There’s good surfing around Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, and Raiatea, usually hurricane swells on the north shores from October to March and Antarctic swells on the south shores from April to September. The October to March swells are the same ones that hit Hawaii three or four days earlier and the reef breaks off the north shore of Moorea work better than Tahiti’s beach breaks. The most powerful, hollow waves are in the winter (April to September).

Practicalities
All passengers entering French Polynesia must be in possession of a valid passport and outbound ticket. Passports may be obtained from your local Clerk/Recorders Office. If you need more information please ask your Journey Pacific Travel Specialist. This process can take 6-8 weeks so do not delay.

Citizens of the United States, Canada and 13 other countries are granted a one-month stay free upon arrival in Tahiti.
All passengers embarking from Fiji and Pago Pago must have their baggage, except hand luggage, fumigated upon arrival in Tahiti. Since fumigation takes about 2 hours, passengers should prepare for their first night’s stay in Tahiti by packing sufficient clothing and toilet articles in their hand luggage.

The French Pacific Franc is legal tender in Tahiti. The value of the CFP is linked to the Euro, so it’s a stable currency.
All banks levy a stiff commission on foreign currency transactions but traveler’s checks attract a rate of exchange about 1.5% higher than cash. An alternative is the ATM machines that give a rate slightly higher than traveler’s checks without commission.

Getting Hitched
Weddings in Tahiti are legally non-binding and can be simple elegant events or large festive occasions, either way they will be days to remember. All are based on an authentic time honored Polynesian practice, as was performed by a priest or tohua with costumes, music and dance and flowers. The Tahiti Specialists at Journey Pacific will be able to get you quotes for your wedding and arrange everything for you. Just pick up the phone and lets start planning the start of the rest of your life together.

Getting There
Air Tahiti Nui, Qantas and Air New Zealand will all take you to Papeete, and the staff at Journey Pacific will help you arrange this. There is no airport departure tax at Papeete.

Getting Around
The domestic air carrier, Air Tahiti, flies to 37 airstrips in every corner of French Polynesia. The Moorea ferry leaves Papeete five or six times a day. Taxis are overpriced throughout Tahiti so we recommend you book hotel/Airport transfers.

Minors
Minors traveling with one parent or a guardian MUST have a notarized letter of consent from the other/both parents to take the minor out of the country.

Insurance
Although every effort is made to insure a safe trip for all, we strongly recommend that you protect yourself, your belongings, and your vacation through the purchase of a short-term traveler's policy. A trip cancellation policy covers your non-refundable payments in most cases, should you have to cancel your trip at the last minute due to illness or injury. Trip participants should realize that in the event of illness or injury on a trip, evacuation could be prolonged, difficult and expensive. Participants are responsible for the cost of evacuation. Personal belongings and cameras are carried entirely at the owner's risk, and Journey Pacific LLC. accepts no responsibility for lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen property. Click here for a free quote.