5 best islands to visit in French Polynesia

While you say “French Polynesia”, most individuals instantly consider the enduring Bora Bora. However this archipelago is made up of 117 different islands, every with its personal distinctive magnificence. On this weblog, we’ll check out 5 of French Polynesia’s greatest islands to go to in your subsequent journey overseas.

1. Raiatea

Referred to as the “Sacred Island,” Raiatea holds a particular place in Polynesian historical past and mythology. Nestled inside the Society Islands, Raiatea was the cultural and non secular centre of historical Polynesia. Remnants of temples (often called marae) and stone constructions are a testomony to their historic and cultural significance. Guests can discover these sacred websites, gaining perception into the island’s cultural heritage.

Raiatea embraces its Polynesian roots, providing guests alternatives to interact with native traditions. Conventional dance performances, artisan markets, and the nice and cozy hospitality of the locals present an genuine glimpse into Raiatea’s vibrant tradition. Guests are invited to take part in cultural actions, fostering a deeper reference to the island’s traditions.

Raiatea is definitely accessible by air from Tahiti, making it a handy place to begin for exploring the Society Islands. As soon as on the island, guests can navigate its magnificence by boat, automobile, and even on a guided tour. Raiatea’s compact dimension permits for a complete exploration of its points of interest, making certain that each nook reveals a brand new side of its attraction.

2. Taha’a

Also called the “Vanilla Island”, Taha’a is situated only a quick boat trip away from its sister island, Raiatea. and is famend for its lush landscapes, aromatic vanilla plantations, and serene, unspoiled magnificence.

What makes Taha’a very distinctive is its culinary scene. Influenced by its prized vanilla, many native dishes typically incorporate the island’s signature spice, providing guests a novel and flavorful gastronomic expertise. From vanilla-infused seafood to pleasant desserts, the native delicacies displays the island’s agricultural richness.

Lots of the island’s resorts present unique entry to the lagoon and showcase breathtaking views of the encompassing landscapes. Staying in an overwater bungalow permits friends to get up to the mild lapping of the lagoon in opposition to their doorstep.

Whereas Taha’a just isn’t as broadly often called a few of the extra fashionable islands in French Polynesia, its seclusion provides to the attraction.

Guests can get to the Vanilla Island by taking a brief flight to Raiatea after which a ship switch. Taha’a has a laid-back environment and unhurried tempo that makes it a super vacation spot for these in search of a tranquil and intimate escape.

3. Fakarava

Only a quick flight away from Tahiti, Fakarava is a hidden paradise within the Tuamotu Archipelago. This island is an expansive coral atoll, providing breathtaking landscapes that seamlessly mix turquoise lagoons and palm-fringed islets.

Fakarava is famend for its unimaginable underwater world – and its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve standing is a testomony to its wealthy marine biodiversity. The Garuae Go, one of many largest passes on the planet, is a hotspot for thrilling diving adventures.

However the island doesn’t simply boast vibrant underwater scenes. Its shores are adorned with secluded delicate, pink sandy seashores. These stretches provide an ideal setting for rest and quiet contemplation.

Lodging in Fakarava vary from charming guesthouses to luxurious overwater bungalows, offering a wide range of choices to swimsuit completely different preferences and budgets.

Accessing Fakarava is comparatively easy. A brief flight from Tahiti brings you to this distant atoll, the place you’ll be able to then discover its wonders by foot, bicycle, or boat. The journey to Fakarava turns into a part of the journey, including to the sense of discovery that awaits.

4. Huahine

Huahine is also known as the “Backyard of Eden” for its unspoiled pure magnificence. This location is definitely made up of two foremost islands, Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti. The Backyard of Edene vacation spot gives a harmonious mix of emerald-green peaks, crystal-clear lagoons, and stretches of white sand seashores.

Huahine is iconic for its pearl farms. These farms primarily focus on cultivating black pearls, recognized for his or her rarity and distinctive magnificence. Also called Tahitian pearls, these beauties are available in varied shades starting from silver-gray to peacock inexperienced and are extremely coveted within the international market.

Guests can witness the complete pearl cultivation course of. This contains the fragile artwork of grafting, the place technicians fastidiously implant a nucleus into the oyster, stimulating the formation of a pearl. The oysters are then nurtured and monitored till the pearls are prepared for harvesting.

From the inviting heat of family-run guesthouses to the sheer opulence of overwater bungalows, Huahine’s lodging choices are as numerous because the island itself, making certain a keep that aligns seamlessly together with your preferences and finances.

Huahine may be simply accessed by taking a brief flight from Tahiti, making it straightforward to entry. Right here exploration is greatest performed at a leisurely tempo, whether or not by bicycle, scooter, or on a guided tour. The intimate dimension of this location ensures that every nook reveals a brand new side of its pure wonders.

5. Tahiti

Also called the “Queen of the Pacific,” Tahiti is the biggest and most well-known island in French Polynesia. Located within the South Pacific Ocean, Tahiti isn’t only a vacation spot; it’s the cultural and financial hub for the complete French Polynesian archipelago.

The island is characterised by lush mountains, volcanic peaks, and a shocking shoreline. Mount Orohena, the best peak in French Polynesia, provides to the dramatic and picturesque landscapes.

Tahiti boasts lovely black sand seashores, corresponding to La Plage de Maui and Pointe Venus, the place guests can loosen up and benefit from the tropical environment. The island can be adorned with spectacular waterfalls, together with the Faarumai Waterfalls and the three-tiered Vaipahi Waterfalls, offering alternatives for refreshing dips and scenic hikes.

From luxurious resorts to cozy guesthouses, Tahiti supplies a variety of lodging choices. Overwater bungalows, an emblem of tropical luxurious, are a well-liked selection for these in search of a very immersive expertise within the crystal-clear lagoons

Because the gateway to French Polynesia, Tahiti’s Faa’a Worldwide Airport serves as a significant transportation hub for worldwide flights. From Tahiti, travellers can simply entry different islands inside the archipelago through home flights or ferries.

Tell us within the feedback which island you propose on visiting first.

Efrat Sagi-Ofir

Efrat Sagi-Ofir is CRO & Founding father of Air Physician. Air Physician is a startup that connects vacationers to a worldwide community of 20,000 native medical docs by an easy-to-use app, to obtain acceptable medical care from anyplace on the planet. If you want to be a visitor blogger on A Luxurious Journey Weblog with a purpose to elevate your profile, please contact us.