One of the world’s most romantic islands, Bora Bora is an ideal sailing destination for honeymoons and wedding anniversaries. Surrounded by golden sands and glistening turquoise waters, it is a genuine premium holiday spot. The best activities are water based and these include scuba diving, snorkelling, jetskiing, paddle-boarding, rafting, jet boating, kayaking, shark diving and many more. Dry land excursions include island tours by quad-bike and 4WD. A boat trip to the Lagoonarium is well worth it. Bora Bora has a number of fine dining restaurants as well as others providing a wide range of food including Sushi, French, European, Asian and other cuisines.
Located in the western Leeward islands of French Polynesia, Maupiti is a beautiful coral atoll with a volcanic island at its centre. It is the ultimate getaway destination, void of tourist exploitation and development. Here you can laze on soft, white sands, explore the perfect turquoise waters and coral gardens by kayak, snorkeling or diving.
Accessed from nearby Raiatea, Tahaa is best known for its vanilla and pearls, both of which are of high quality. It is less modern than other Society Islands and is an excellent venue for jetskiing, snorkelling and scuba diving. Other activities include visiting a vanilla farm, pearl farm and day tours. French and local cuisines and seafood are the main food available but a variety of European dishes can also be had.
Raiatea is known as “Raiatea the Sacred” and is the second largest of the Leeward Islands after Tahiti. It was once the cultural and religious capital of eastern Polynesia, with Taputapuatea, a marae or sacred place and UNESCO World heritage Site situated on the south east of the island. It is thought that Raiatea was the starting point for the major migrations to the Hawaiian Islands and New Zealand. Many tours are available on the island including cultural, historical, 4WD vehicle and archaeology. The crystal sea makes the island ideal for water-sports. French and local cuisines and seafood are the main fare available but a variety of European dishes can also be had.
Located among the Society Islands, Huahine caters for tourists with many activities available and is a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving, 4WD island tours, historic and cultural tours, and a visit to a distillery. Huahine is famous for its sacred eels which guests can feed from a bridge crossing the stream where they live.
Tahiti is the cultural centre of French Polynesia. When people picture the “South Sea Islands”, they are thinking about Tahiti. The hula hoop craze originated there as part of a dance. The beaches and lagoons are more beautiful than many and were the inspiration of paintings by Paul Gaugin. The island offers cruises and tours both on land and sea and include whale watching, day and sunset cruises, historical, 4WD, cultural and glass-bottomed boat tours. The beaches and lagoons offer splendid opportunities for swimming, diving and kayaking. The islanders love sport, most of which will be familiar to those from Europe. The national sport is called Va’a, a form of racing outrigger canoes. Food is available to suit every taste. This includes French, Moroccan, Italian, European, Asian, Polynesian, street and others.
