Tahiti

Capital City: Papeete

Population: Approx. 180,000

Language: French, Tahitian

Flight time from UK: 23 hours with stopover

Time difference to UK: -10 hours GMT

Stopovers: Los Angeles

Currency: French Pacific Franc (CFP)

Climate: Mild tropical climate – Dry season May – October with average temperatures between 20 – 30 degrees Celsius.

Covering an area the size of Europe and scattered across the South Pacific Ocean, Tahiti and her islands make up the 118 picture-perfect paradise islands of French Polynesia. The epitome of a heaven that can only be found in South Pacific holidays, Tahiti is described by many as the ‘Last Paradise on Earth’, a hopelessly romantic and luxuriously indulgent heart of the ocean.

Tahiti’s unspoilt beauty has long-inspired many filmmakers, writers and artists, most notably Paul Gauguin, the famous post-impressionist French painter. Read our blog from one of our team Nicola about her fantastic experience on the Paul Gauguin Cruise on our website.

Tahiti is the largest and most populous of the Society Islands, with 68% of the group’s entire population living here. It was, like many South Pacific islands, sculpted into existence from hundreds of years of volcanic activity, and is lavished with soaring jagged mountain ranges, deep, magnificent valleys and breathtaking coastal bays.

A holiday to Tahiti is one of pure indulgence – travellers come here to be pampered and sample a life of luxury and opulence. Protected from the ocean by a coral ring that forms a beautiful barrier reef, Tahiti’s shores are lapped by sparkling emerald and turquoise lagoons that contrast with the dark blues of the deeper ocean.

The islands that surround Tahiti are just as spellbinding, if not more so, and offer a true ‘Robinson Crusoe’ exploration experience. The best way to travel between the islands is by plane and/or boat; the international airport touches travellers down in Tahiti’s capital city Papeete.

Moorea 
A few kilometres northwest of Tahiti lies the idyllic and picture-perfect island of Moorea. You can get here in just 15 minutes via an Air Tahiti flight from Papeete, and it is more than worth the visit during your Tahiti holiday. Moorea is a mountainous island, with craggy volcanic peaks and deep lush valleys, unspoilt sandy beaches and crystal clear water lapping its shores.

With no built up areas, Moorea really is every inch the island paradise, with most of its small lazy villages clinging to the coast. Enjoy this beautiful coast and its waters by diving among schools of fish, rays and baby sharks, or snorkel among its vibrant coral reef. The Moorea Dolphin Centre is a main attraction on the island, and if you’re feeling energetic you can learn to kite surf, or go hiking or biking in the mountains.

Cook’s Bay is one of the most famous pulls on the island, against the impressive mountain backdrop, perfect for boat rides and kayaking to enjoy the sights.

Bora Bora
Another of Tahiti’s fairytale islands, couple a trip to Tahiti with Bora Bora and you’ll be on your way to paradise. Dominated by an enormous volcano massif, and also languished with beautiful coral reefs beneath turquoise lagoon waters, there is no place on earth more tranquil than these islands.

On Bora Bora’s beaches you can swim with dolphins, turtles, baby sharks and rays, and snorkel among an abundance of brightly coloured tropical fish. Fill your days lazily and luxuriously with mouthwatering gourmet cuisine in Bora Bora’s resort restaurants, be pampered and enjoy the romance of its dazzling beaches and spectacular scenery.

As well as enjoying Bora Bora and Moorea, you can also take short boat rides from these and other islands to the several tiny uninhabited islets (motu) dotted around their shores.