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Six (almost) unknown facts about Tahiti

Six (almost) unknown facts about Tahiti

PUBLISHED ON 04 APRIL 2023

The Islands of Tahiti stand for the dream of the South Seas: the famous overwater bungalows of Bora Bora, the perfect honeymoon, crystal clear water on pristine palm-fringed beaches and the relaxed Polynesian lifestyle.

That’s what the Islands of Tahiti stands for, but not only that.

 

Tahiti Tourism reveals six facts about The Islands of Tahiti that are still (almost) unknown.

 

1.       Heiva i Tahiti – The biggest festival in Polynesia and one of the oldest in the world.

From 6 to 22 July 2023, the Heiva i Tahiti festival will take place in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. Since 1881, people have gathered here for traditional sporting competitions and performances of Polynesian dance and music. At Heiva, more than 3,000 artists from all over French Polynesia perform colourful, traditional Polynesian performances on stage. During the sports competitions, athletes compete in javelin throwing, stone lifting and boat racing, among other disciplines. The Heiva i Tahiti is a meeting full of emotions and living traditions and is considered the most beautiful expression of Polynesian culture. More information at

https://www.heiva.org/en/homepage/

 

2.       Polynesian hospitality up close – the guesthouses of The Islands of Tahiti

For the authentic South Seas dream, The Islands of Tahiti also offer holidays in traditional guesthouses. These typically family-run accommodations are hidden treasures that offer visitors a unique opportunity to tour the islands in a more authentic way and experience Polynesian life. These include shared meals with the hosts or excursions with local guides for pearl diving in Fakarava, snorkelling or hiking tours. Very special experiences with all senses.

 

3.       The Tuamotu Archipelago – one of the best places in the world.

Every year, the renowned “Time Magazine” chooses the 50 most recommended travel destinations worldwide with “The World’s Greatest Places of 2023”. This year, the Tuamotu Archipelago made it into the coveted list in the Asia and Pacific/Oceania category, based on suggestions from the magazine’s authors.

The Tuamotu Archipelago is the largest group of coral atolls in the world and comprises 78 atolls of varying sizes with countless individual islands (motu) as well as three high coral islands. The archipelago is inhabited by only 17,000 people.

Rangiroa, the second largest atoll in the world and part of the archipelago, stretches over 177 kilometres and is one of the world’s most important diving destinations with its deep lagoon. Whether taking a first diving lesson or just exploring the lagoon, passes and reefs for fun, beginners and advanced divers alike are enraptured by the diversity and colours of the underwater world. Schools of colourful butterfly fish, turtles, dolphins and sharks swim just below the surface as if waiting for the divers. The beautiful ring of islands is surrounded by two distinct seas: Moana-tea, the peaceful one, characterises the lagoon while Moana-uri, the wild ocean, delights the few visitors with a rich marine fauna.

 

4.       More than honeymoons and dream beaches: a colourful bouquet of activities from whale watching to mountain biking.

The turquoise sea and pristine lagoons are undoubtedly the main reasons to The Islands of Tahiti! But beyond that, there is a multitude of activities and experiences that may surprise travellers: be it visits to millennia-old archaeological sites, nature explorations by mountain bike or off-road vehicle, hikes through wild valleys and the undergrowth in the shade of the mape trees to great vantage points, a horseback ride through the spectacular landscapes of Marquesas or along the sandy beaches and trails of Tahiti, Huahine or Moorea.

But there is also a lot to experience on the water, from sailing and yacht charter to all kinds of water sports and tours to the peaceful giants of the sea – the observation of humpback whales from June to October.

 

5.       Raiatea – the island of the unique flower:

The wonderfully fragrant plant Tiare Apetahi grows on Raiatea. It is endemic to the island, which is only 194 square kilometres in size, i.e. it is found nowhere else in the world. Strictly speaking, its range is even smaller, because it only thrives on Mount Temehani. That is why the flower with its yellow-white blossom is highly endangered, but of course strictly protected. And the special thing: There is a beautiful but at the same time sad legend associated with the Tiare Apetahi: A princess was dying. In the arms of her beloved, she promised him before she died that she would always tenderly hold out her hand to him when he climbed Mount Temehani. The next morning, the prince climbed the mountain and saw wonderfully fragrant flowers growing everywhere. All of them had five petals that stretched out towards him like hands. He dug up a plant to plant in the garden in memory of his beloved. But there it withered after a few days.

 

6.       The Islands of Tahiti: as big as Europe.

Tahiti is part of French Polynesia and thus belongs to the French Estate despite the 15,700 kilometres as the crow flies between Paris and the capital Papeete, which is located on the island of Tahiti. The 118 islands of French Polynesia are made up of the Society Islands, to which Tahiti belongs, the Tuamotu Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Austral Islands and the Gambier Islands. And what is impressive: French Polynesia covers a sea maritime area of around 4 millions square kilometres. That is almost as large as Europe. If you project the map of French Polynesia onto the European one, the Marquesas Islands are about the same size as Finland and the Society Islands are on the Iberian Peninsula.

 

About The Islands of Tahiti

Surrounded by pristine, crystal-clear blue waters, the 118 islands and atolls offer natural beauty, authentic island culture, and unique French Polynesian style. Located in the South Pacific, The Islands of Tahiti are just eight hours by air from California, on the same side of the International Date Line as North America, and are in the same time zone as Hawaii. The Islands of Tahiti are world-renowned for their white-sand beaches, stunning turquoise lagoons and varied landscapes ranging from coral atolls to volcanic mountain peaks. Each island offers a variety of accommodation experiences from luxurious resorts with overwater villas, to family guesthouses, to sailing via private charter or scheduled cruise. Privacy comes naturally in The Islands of Tahiti, one of the few untouched sanctuaries left in the world where visitors can relax, reconnect, and experience Mana, the life force and spirit that flows through everything. Whether you come for adventure, romance, or relaxation, you will discover that the spirit of Mana that flows through our land, sea, culture, and people will make you Feel Treasured.

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