Part of the Society Islands, the island of Taha'a is the premier place for Polynesian exports, including impeccable black pearls and fragrant vanilla.
Taha'a —
Part of the Society Islands, the island of Taha'a is the premier place for Polynesian exports, including impeccable black pearls and fragrant vanilla.
courtesy le taha'a island resort & spa
Also part of the Society Islands, Rangiroa is called the "infinite lagoon" -- it's one of the largest atolls in the world. Divers around Rangiroa can spot tiger and hammerhead sharks, as well as dolphins, green turtles and eagle rays.
Rangiroa —
Also part of the Society Islands, Rangiroa is called the "infinite lagoon" -- it's one of the largest atolls in the world. Divers around Rangiroa can spot tiger and hammerhead sharks, as well as dolphins, green turtles and eagle rays.
T. Zysman
The word tattoo originated in Polynesia, and its best artists come from Fatu Hiva. In fact, Captain James Cook brought the Polynesian art form to the West after he and other explorers were influenced by the traditional tattoos they saw in the Marquesas.
Fatu Hiva —
The word tattoo originated in Polynesia, and its best artists come from Fatu Hiva. In fact, Captain James Cook brought the Polynesian art form to the West after he and other explorers were influenced by the traditional tattoos they saw in the Marquesas.
Marcel Isy-Schwart
Moorea is gaining on Bora Bora as the region's best honeymoon location. Many say it rivals Bora Bora for natural splendor.
Moorea —
Moorea is gaining on Bora Bora as the region's best honeymoon location. Many say it rivals Bora Bora for natural splendor.
Philippe Bacchet
Better known as the Island of Whales, Rurutu is encircled by tall cliffs of ancient coral. The natural arena attracts mating humpback whales every year from July to August.
Rurutu —
Better known as the Island of Whales, Rurutu is encircled by tall cliffs of ancient coral. The natural arena attracts mating humpback whales every year from July to August.
Gilles Diraimondo
The Marquesas bring an authentic Polynesian experience to the island experience, as opposed to say, a honeymoon resort so big you need a golf cart to get around. The islands remain mostly untouched by modern tourism, with raw beauty that's influenced Herman Melville and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Hiva Oa —
The Marquesas bring an authentic Polynesian experience to the island experience, as opposed to say, a honeymoon resort so big you need a golf cart to get around. The islands remain mostly untouched by modern tourism, with raw beauty that's influenced Herman Melville and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Gregoire Le Bacon
Nuku Hiva is suited for those who like hiking through jungle or horseback riding across unspoiled land. It has volcanic cliffs and thousand-foot waterfalls, with water that evaporates before it touches the ground.
Nuku Hiva —
Nuku Hiva is suited for those who like hiking through jungle or horseback riding across unspoiled land. It has volcanic cliffs and thousand-foot waterfalls, with water that evaporates before it touches the ground.
Isabelle Ozan
Huahine's lush vegetation includes giant bananas and melons. Bike tours run through fragrant vanilla plantations. Lakeside villas atop lily pads and palm trees at the Maitai Lapita Village provide serene accommodations.
Huahine —
Huahine's lush vegetation includes giant bananas and melons. Bike tours run through fragrant vanilla plantations. Lakeside villas atop lily pads and palm trees at the Maitai Lapita Village provide serene accommodations.
Lucien Pesquie
Another large coral atoll, Manihi offers a true castaway vacation, where few venture. If you're the type who doesn't mind the occasional power outage and lack of imported food, you'll love this place. The airport is a simple straw hut, with an airstrip that doubles as the site of the best stargazing in the area.
Manihi —
Another large coral atoll, Manihi offers a true castaway vacation, where few venture. If you're the type who doesn't mind the occasional power outage and lack of imported food, you'll love this place. The airport is a simple straw hut, with an airstrip that doubles as the site of the best stargazing in the area.
Philipe Bacchet
With its own high peaks, Maupiti is like a mini Bora Bora, without all the glitz. Its five islets are perfect for boat rides and beachside picnics. Mount Teurufaaitu is the highest point on the island, with incredible views of Raiatea, Bora Bora and Taha'a.
Maupiti —
With its own high peaks, Maupiti is like a mini Bora Bora, without all the glitz. Its five islets are perfect for boat rides and beachside picnics. Mount Teurufaaitu is the highest point on the island, with incredible views of Raiatea, Bora Bora and Taha'a.
Zoltan Lengyel
After scouting locations for his film "Mutiny on the Bounty" in 1960, Marlon Brando fell in love with the French Polynesian lifestyle. He bought the island of Tetiaroa, a previous vacation spot for Tahitian royalty. After years of planning, the Brando Resort is opening in July 2014.
Tetiaroa —
After scouting locations for his film "Mutiny on the Bounty" in 1960, Marlon Brando fell in love with the French Polynesian lifestyle. He bought the island of Tetiaroa, a previous vacation spot for Tahitian royalty. After years of planning, the Brando Resort is opening in July 2014.
R. SAHUQUET
A hub for Catholic missionaries in the 19th century, Mangareva's village of Rikitea is home to the neo-Gothic 1848 St. Michael's Cathedral, constructed of fired limestone and inlaid with mother of pearl. The hike up Mount Duff offers the best panoramic views of the island.
Mangareva —
A hub for Catholic missionaries in the 19th century, Mangareva's village of Rikitea is home to the neo-Gothic 1848 St. Michael's Cathedral, constructed of fired limestone and inlaid with mother of pearl. The hike up Mount Duff offers the best panoramic views of the island.
J. Benhamza
Fakarava is known for its diverse ecosystem, marked by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve to preserve rare species. With only about 400 people living on the island, its atolls are virtually untouched. The diving is spectacular.
Fakarava —
Fakarava is known for its diverse ecosystem, marked by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve to preserve rare species. With only about 400 people living on the island, its atolls are virtually untouched. The diving is spectacular.
Gregoire Le Bacon
Ancient legends are still a daily part of Raiatea, Tahiti's religious and cultural capital a thousands years ago. The sacred island is home to Taputapuatea, French Polynesia's best-preserved historical site, full of religious artifacts and shrines. Here you can learn about how South Pacific civilization took shape.
Raiatea —
Ancient legends are still a daily part of Raiatea, Tahiti's religious and cultural capital a thousands years ago. The sacred island is home to Taputapuatea, French Polynesia's best-preserved historical site, full of religious artifacts and shrines. Here you can learn about how South Pacific civilization took shape.
G. LE BACON
An oval-shaped island covered in pink sand and surrounded by marine-rich waters, Tikehua has the best beaches in French Polynesia. Jacques Cousteau's research group declared it to be the most fish-abundant atoll in Polynesia, which makes for incredible snorkeling just a few feet into the water.
Tikehau —
An oval-shaped island covered in pink sand and surrounded by marine-rich waters, Tikehua has the best beaches in French Polynesia. Jacques Cousteau's research group declared it to be the most fish-abundant atoll in Polynesia, which makes for incredible snorkeling just a few feet into the water.
Benjamin Thouard