How many tahitian islands

Coconut plantations cover the motu islet of the coral barrier reef. There are 14 Gambier islands in the South Pacific, the largest being Mangareva. Located miles 1,km away from Papeete, they offer the traveler a trip of a lifetime. Austral Islands As their name implies, the Austral islands, located south of the island of Tahiti, on the Tropic of Capricorn, represent the southernmost boundary of French Polynesia.

The island itself is actually a volcano, set in a stunning lagoon surrounded by gleaming white sand beaches. The lagoon is filled with marine life well worth donning a snorkel mask and fins to explore, or you can spend a day aimlessly wandering the main town of Viatape, browsing shops and taking breaks at local bars and cafes.

Located just northwest of Tahiti, Bora Bora is less than an hour away by plane from Papeete. Best for : romance, shopping, snorkelling. The tiny atoll consists of countless white and pink sand islets perfect for getting away from it all.

Tikehau, which means "peaceful landing," is home to a lagoon formed by a ring of coral, meaning it's filled with marine life just waiting to be explored on a snorkel or dive trip.

You can also take a boat into the middle of the lagoon and visit Motu Puarua at the northeastern end, a small islet known as Bird Island and a natural aviary for numerous colonies of nesting sea birds including the rare Blue Footed Booby.

An afternoon on Bird Island is a bird watchers dream so bring your camera, as well as sturdy shoes for traversing the rocky terrain.

Best for : total seclusion, beach-hopping, relaxation. Known as the Vanilla Island, Taha'a grows close to 80 percent of all vanilla produced in French Polynesia. Arrange a trip to Vallee de la Vanille vanilla farm through your accommodation to see how the fragrant spice is grown and harvested and buy some to take home with you. There are free daily tours from 8 a. Best for: learning about vanilla and pearls, snorkeling, relaxation. Raiatea, known as the Sacred Island, is the second largest island in French Polynesia next to Tahiti.

The name Raiatea translates to "faraway heaven" and it is said to be the first Polynesian island to be populated. If you plan on seeing the islands of Tahiti by boat, the island is home to many sailboat and yacht charter companies, including Tahiti Yacht Charter.

Best for : boating, fishing, scuba diving. Moorea, along with Bora Bora, is one of the top honeymoon destinations in Tahiti. Known as the Island of Artists due to the many artists live on the island including painters, carvers, jewelers and tattooists. Moorea is also ideal for water sports, from paddle boarding to canoeing to kite surfing, thanks to the April to October trade winds. Best for : water sports, romance, art and culture. Known as the Endless Sky, Rangiroa is one of the largest atolls in the world and the largest in French Polynesia.

There is a small hotel with 7 rustic bungalows. Rangiroa, a one-hour flight from Tahiti, is part of the Tuamotu Archipelago and is the world's second largest atoll.

From the air it appears that a large pearl necklace was gently placed on the water. This ring of low land created an unbelievable lagoon of deep turquoise and lapis blue. Because there's no island runoff, the visibility in the lagoon is over feet and a constant 80 degrees. The famous Tiputa Pass, which provides an opening to the ocean, is rich with sea life.

It's known as one of the world's greatest shark dives, and those who "shoot the pass" find themselves in the deep blue with literally hundreds of gray, black-tip, white-tip, lemon and nurse sharks.

Non-divers can try some world class snorkeling and see schools of dolphins that gather in the pass. For the true adventurer, a two-hour boat ride across the lagoon leads to the Kia Ora Sauvage, a luxurious way to rough it. There's no electricity at this remote property, but offers spectacular scenery and complete solitude. Also in the Tuamotu Archipelago, this atoll only has residents.

Visitors come to enjoy the plentiful lagoon activities and explore the many black pearl farms. The black-lipped oysters, found only in French Polynesia, are cultivated for their prized black pearls. The Marquesas is an island group about miles northeast of Tahiti. Its six inhabited islands and six unpopulated islands offer some of the most dramatic scenery and true Polynesian experiences to be found. These islands have no lagoons, but offer dense jungles with 1,foot-high waterfalls and sheer cliffs.

The Marquesas is where Herman Melville jumped ship, Paul Gauguin came to paint and retire and numerous authors attempted to convey the riches of this rugged paradise. The most populated islands of Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa offer lodging in small hotels and pensions.

At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy to navigate travel information section dedicated to Tahiti. Learn about the history and culture of Tahiti, the must-try food and drink , and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Tahiti's nature and wildlife , weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips , as well as our visa and health information will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip.

The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Tahiti for yourself. Start exploring Consider an additional stopover after or before your Tahiti vacation at one of Goway's other South Pacific destinations.

You can choose from our selection of Australian vacations , New Zealand vacation packages , one of our Fiji resorts or perhaps take a Cook Island vacation. Relax with a romantic tropical island stay , enjoy a luxury cruise through turquoise blue waters, escape on a air-land getaway and more. We want to be your first choice when next you go globetrotting to Tahiti.

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