French Polynesia: An Overview

French Polynesia is known for its spectacular nature. Razorsharp mountaintops, stunning turquoise lagoons, and abundance of beautiful flowers. Also below the water there is a natures paradise to be found in French Polynesia. 
However prepare for high costs (French Polynesia is 30 to 50% more expansive than most other South Pacific destinations) and the common language is French (you probably find that only some of the younger people will speaking english).

Papeete is the capital of Tahiti, the largest island, nicknamed 'the island of love'. It is a visitor's first port of call because of the international airport of Tahiti-Faa'a which is located here.

Moorea is the sister island, some 17kms north west of Papeete. Here the tranquil waters of Cooks Bay and Opunohu Bay lap at its majestic volcanic peaks which thrust into the sky.

Bora Bora is 240kms north west of Tahiti in the Society Islands, as is Huahine Island, which comprises two islands joined by a narrow isthmus and enclosed by a protective necklace of coral.

Rangiroa with its 42 mile long turquoise lagoon is the largest atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago, and Tikehau atoll in the same archipelago is an almost circular atoll with an interior lagoon, 26km across and a safe pass for small boats through the coral reef.