Picture courtesy of Héléne Havard / Tahiti Tourisme
Welcome to Tahiti
Tahiti, a chain of 118 islands within the South Pacific, is understood for its white sand seashores, overwater bungalows and impressive sunsets. However there’s extra to this French Polynesian vacation spot than the idyllic pictures conjured up in our shuttle daydreams. Come alongside as we take a more in-depth take a look at the Islands of Tahiti via 20 shocking pictures.
Picture courtesy of Stéphane Mailion Pictures / Tahiti Tourisme
The interior isles
Whilst the islands of the South Pacific are rightfully identified for his or her seashores and turquoise waters, there’s various journey inland as neatly. ATVs and quad motorcycles permit guests to discover the mountainous internal isles. 8 summits tower above Moorea, an island well liked by journey vacationers for its mountain climbing, horseback using and four-wheeling alternatives.
Picture courtesy of Jim Wintry weather / Tahiti Tourisme
Fakarava Atoll
The Tuamotu Islands contain 77 atolls unfold throughout 930 miles, making them the most important chain of atolls in the world. Islets shape a hoop across the lagoon of Fakarava, a chosen UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This stress-free atoll, the second one biggest in French Polynesia, is a land of white and purple sand, coconut fingers and mythical snorkeling.
Picture courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
Mount Tohivea
The Society Islands are house to the rustic’s 3 most famed islands: Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea. The emerald inexperienced spires of Moorea had been likened to a cathedral. And Mount Tohivea, the very best level at the island at 3,960 ft, will also be observed from as a ways away as Papeete on Tahiti.
Picture courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
A tropical lawn
Tropical climate all through the yr permits farmers in French Polynesia to develop all kinds of end result, greens and spices all through the yr. Seek advice from a fruit marketplace on one of the most islands to pattern coconuts, dozens of kinds of bananas, breadfruit, watermelon, pineapples, mangoes, grapefruit and limes.
Search for Tahitian vanilla to characteristic in cakes around the island.
Picture courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
Sacred Raiatea
Raiatea, additionally a part of the Society Islands, used to be the purpose from which Polynesians prompt on outriggers to discover the Pacific, settling as a ways away as Hawaii and New Zealand. The fairway-blanketed island is thought of as some of the maximum sacred within the area, the religious heart of Polynesia.
Picture courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
Hearth knife dance
The custom of fireplace knife dancing originates in Samoa, when it used to be a part of a ritual birthday celebration right through wartime. Hearth wasn’t added till 1946, when Samoan dancer Freddie Letuli took inspiration from a Hindu fire-eater and made up our minds to include hearth into his personal efficiency. Nowadays, the hearth knife dance is usually practiced right through presentations and competitions.
Picture courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
Tahitian waterfalls
The island of Tahiti is the most important island in French Polynesia and the web site of its capital, Papeete. A lot of the island’s inhabitants lives close to the coast; the pristine inside is ruled by means of inexperienced peaks and waterfall-filled valleys.
Picture courtesy of Stéphane Mailion Pictures / Tahiti Tourisme
Bounty of the ocean
The oceans and lagoons of French Polynesia serve up a bounty of seafood, with perch, parrot fish, grouper and mahi mahi continuously making an look on dinner plates. Poisson Cru, the nationwide dish, options pink tuna marinated in lime juice and coconut milk – a South Pacific tackle ceviche.
Picture courtesy of Kim Lawson / Tahiti Tourisme
Black sand seashores
The island of Tahiti options one of the most global’s maximum impressive black sand seashores. The lengthy Plage de Taharuu at the South Coast caters to households and beginner surfers with its delicate breaks and just right swimming stipulations. Lafayette Seaside, a narrower stretch of black sand, seems to be towards Moorea throughout Matavai Bay.
Picture courtesy of Héléne Havard / Tahiti Tourisme
Tahitian dance
Track and dance grasp a outstanding place in Tahitian tradition. Whilst very similar to Hawaiian hula in the beginning look, Tahitian dance is usually very athletic, with speedy, vigorous hip actions and little higher frame motion. Each women and men take part, every so often one after the other and every so often in combination, relying at the dance.
Picture courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
Abundance of seashells
A lot of the tradition of Tahiti facilities across the sea, and that incorporates the jewellery. The citizens of the Tuamotu Islands are specifically talented at making pieces from shells and mother-of-pearl. They have got various fabrics to paintings with because the islands produce some 9.7 lots of pearls every yr.
Picture courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
Basket weaving
Artists from the Austral Islands, usually girls, are identified for his or her plaiting. Those artists take fibers from screw pine, reed or coconut, and weave them into baskets, baggage, hats and mats. Many islanders right here make a dwelling from their art work.
Picture courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
Rurutu caves
Rurutu, one of the most southernmost islands in French Polynesia, enjoys a cooler local weather than different islands. It additionally has a reasonably distinctive geological function: a chain of about 30 limestone caves stuffed with stalactites and stalagmites.
Picture courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
Hiva Oa
Six of the 12 Marquesas Islands are inhabited, however the inhabitants is underneath 10,000 general citizens. The island of Hiva Oa, continuously referred to as the Lawn of Marquesas, served as the foundation for lots of of Paul Gauguin’s easiest works.
Picture courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
Tahitian chestnut mountain climbing
Mountaineering trails lead into the interiors of many Tahitian islands, continuously passing underneath the colour of the majestic mape (Tahitian chestnut) tree.
Picture courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
Birthplace of the Tiki
Hiva Oa and the opposite Marquesas Islands are house to a lot of archaeological websites, together with the most important Tiki statue in French Polynesia. The Tiki, a type of sculpture believed to be endowed with religious power, originated within the Marquesas Islands, with the primary identified examples courting again to the 13th century.
Picture courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
Catching a wave
Surfers having a look to catch a wave have greater than 30 browsing spots to make a choice from in French Polynesia, together with 3 world-famous breaks (Teahupo’o, Taapuna and Maraa). Whilst the precise historical past of browsing is unknown, it used to be first recorded by means of Europeans who sailed to Tahiti in 1767.
Picture courtesy of Mark Fitz / Tahiti Tourisme
Tahiti underwater
The nice and cozy waters of Tahiti teem with existence, attracting divers and snorkelers from world wide. Visibility continuously reaches 100 ft, and the waters supply a habitat to greater than 1,000 species of fish (over 20 species of sharks). Humpback whales migrate to Tahiti from July to November, nevertheless it’s additionally conceivable to identify sea turtles, rays, dolphins and colourful fish.
Picture courtesy of Lei Tao / Tahiti Tourisme
Bora Bora sundown
White sand seashores, overwater bungalows and stellar sunsets make Bora Bora the stuff of honeymoon legends. This quiet island within the Society Islands, best 15 sq. miles, is the place you’ll to find one of the most most opulent hotels and unique retreats.