Tahiti

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Tahiti is the largest island of French Polynesia.  French Polynesia is an archipelago of islands that is an overseas dependent territory of France in the South Pacific Ocean about one-half of the way from South America to Australia.  It includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru.

Country name

Conventional short form: French Polynesia

Conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia

Quick Facts

Capital: Papeete

Government: French oversea land

Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc, or the Pacific French Franc (XPF) - may adopt the euro in 2007, 1 USD = 93.1622 XPF (August 2006)

Area: total = 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls), water = 507 sq km, land = 3.660 sq km

Population: 257,847 (July 2002 estimate)

Language: French and Tahitian

Calling Code: +689

Internet TLD: .pf

Weather and Climate

Tropical, but moderate.  Very humid.  "Summer" runs from November through March, with an average daily temperature of about 86 degrees F.  "Winter" runs from April through October, is much drier than the summer, with an average temperature of 82 degrees F.  The average water temperature year-round, is in the low 80s.

Terrain

Mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs.

Passports and Visas

Holders of a passport from the EU, and most countries of North or South America don't need to apply for a visa for a stay of one month.  US and Canadian citizens need a passport valid for 6 months beyond their date of return.  No immunization certificates are required.

Regions

• Marquesa Islands - northeastern archipelago, comprised of about 1 dozen islands
• Tuamotu Islands - vast central archipelago of coral reefs (includes Acteon Group and Gambier Islands)
• Society Islands - most-inhabited western island group (divided administratively into Windward Islands and Leeward Islands), includes the islands of:
• Bora Bora - one of the more beautiful islands in the Society group.  A popular destination, Bora Bora is known for the beauty of its lagoon, the most beautiful in the group.
• Tahiti
• Moorea - the most beautiful island in the Societies. It's a "high island", which means it's mountainous, as are most of this group. It's easily accessible from Tahiti by ferry.
• Raiatea and Taha'a - a pair of islands. Taha'a has a beautiful lagoon with lots of motus, and a couple of high-end resorts.  Raiatea is more known by yachters.  It is considered the cradle of Polynesian civilization, and contains an important archaeological site, the Taputapuatea marae.
• Austral Islands - small southern archipelagos (includes Tubuai Islands and Bass Islands)

Major cities

Papeete is the largest city in, and capital of, French Polynesia.  It is on the island of Tahiti.

Popular sightseeing destinations

• Bora Bora - highly regarded as the most beautiful island in the South Pacific.  See it's volcanic peaks, lagoon, and sandy beaches
• Papeete - French Polynesia's capital, port city on the island of Tahiti.  Visit the beautiful waterfront and go shopping in the exciting market, Marched u Papeete
• Rangiroa - the world's second-largest atoll, great for diving
• Cathedral of St Michael - on the upper part of Rikitea, has a mother-of pearl altar
• Fare Potee and Hiva Oa - home to archaeological sites and a museum
• Musee de Tahiti et des Isles - museum on South Pacific’s geology, history, culture, and art
• Point Venus - site of Cook's observatory to record the transit of Venus, now a black-sand beach with an notable lighthouse

Popular sports activities

Snorkeling, diving, tennis, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, outrigger canoeing, para-sailing, horseback riding, biking, hiking, and climbing are available on most islands.  December through July is considered the best time for game fishing.  Tahiti has an 18-hole golf course.

Time difference

Tahiti is in the same time zone as Hawaii - 2 hours behind Pacific Standard Time, 3 behind Pacific Daylight Time.

Money matters

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc, or the Pacific French Franc (XPF), is the currency of French Polynesia.  Banks are located at Tahiti's International Airport and on each island.  ATMs are available on Tahiti and Moorea.  However, US currency may be accepted in some hotels and restaurants.

Tipping is not customary in Tahiti, though appreciated.

Shopping

Hand-blocked pareaos (the traditional wraparound clothing of Tahiti), gold jewelry, baskets, wood carvings, and vanilla beans are local French Polynesia handicrafts and goods that can be purchased in markets and shops.  Black pearls are a unique and memorable souvenir.  Also check out the French fashion shops in Papeete.

Get in

The flagcarrier of French Polynesia is Air Tahiti Nui, and the main airport and regional hub is Papeete.  Air Tahiti Nui flies internationally to Tokyo, Osaka, Los Angeles, New York, Auckland, Sydney and Paris.  They cooperate with Air France, Japan Airlines and Qantas.  Air New Zealand also has regular flights to Papeete.

Tahiti is served by Faaa International Airport, which is close to the main city of Papeete (Papy - et - tay).  Flights often arrive in the middle of the night.  Expect to be greeted by a small band, ladies handing out flowers, and a long line up at customs, regardless of the hour of your arrival.

Get around

The territory of French Polynesia has about the same surface as the European Union but the combined land area (all islands and atolls) is just about the size of Mallorca.  Most people live on the two islands Tahiti and Moorea.  These islands have street networks and public transport (including good touristic infrastructure).  To jump from island to island there are two options:

1. Air Tahiti offers domestic flights to other destinations in French Polynesia, and Air Moorea makes the short hop to Moorea several times daily.
2. Ferries (sometimes combined cargo and passenger boats, like the Aranui) travel between most islands.

History

The Polynesians inhabited these islands for several hundred years before their discovery by western explorers.  Several marae still exist scattered throughout the islands as evidence of this inhabitation.

The British discovered Tahiti in the mid 1760's and Captain Cook visited there in 1769 to observe the Transit of Venus before sailing on to the south and west in search of the fabled Terra Australus Incognita with the assistance of a Polynesian navigator.

The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century.

During the 1960's and 1970's, the French conducted atmospheric nuclear tests in the islands, primarily at Mururoa atoll.  Testing later moved underground after international protests from other Pacific countries, including a flotilla of yachts and a warship from New Zealand to monitor tests in 1974.  Testing continued into the early 1990's, despite attempts to disrupt them by enviromental activists.  In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium.  The tests were suspended in January 1996.

In recent years the islanders have been working towards autonomy and economic independence from France.  However, the process is a gradual one and is expected to take a decade or two to occur.