French Polynesia

Located in the south-central Pacific Ocean just below the equator, the five archipelagos of French Polynesia include clusters of 118 islands. Explore turquoise and blue lagoons, beautiful palm-fringed beaches, the lush green valleys of the islands, and experience rich Polynesian culture.

Explore Society Islands
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French Polynesia/The Islands of Tahiti

French Polynesia, also known as The Islands of Tahiti, is a territory of the French Republic which includes five archipelago clusters – Society, Tuamotu, Austral, Gambier, and Marquesas. The most visited are the Society Islands, a group islands that includes Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Taha’a, and Tetiaroa. The Society Islands are divided into two volcanic and coral clusters known as the Windward Islands (Îles du Vent) in the eastern part of the archipelago and the Leeward Islands (Îles Sous-le-vent) in the western part. Tahiti, the biggest island of the Society Islands is located in the Windward Islands cluster and is called the gateway to French Polynesia, as most start and finish their adventures here due to the location of the international airport, Tahiti-Faaa (PPT).

The Society Islands, French Polynesia

TidBits Tabs

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Travel TidBits:

  • Location: Pacific Ocean
  • Time Zone: 3 time zones
    UTC-10 – Tahiti Time
    UTC-9:30 – Marquesas Time
    UTC-9 – Gambier Time
  • International Airport: Tahiti-Faaa (PPT)
  • Language: Official languages are French and Tahitian
  • Currency used: CFP franc XPF
  • Electricity – 220 volts, 60Hz  

Phone: SIM card – Main companies are Vini and Vodafone

Data Option: Tahiti WiFi

  • A data hotspot to share is available for purchase at Tahiti international airport (next to car rental). https://www.tahitiwifi.com/

Inner-Island Flights:


History TidBits:

It is believed that the Society Islands were settled by the Polynesians by 800 AD.

1767 – Captain Samuel Wallis claimed the islands for Great Britain.

1768 – The French navigator Louis Antoine de Bougainville claimed the islands for France.

1769 – English explorer Captain James Cook reached Tahiti and named the islands for the Royal Society of Britain, a sponsor of his expedition. In April 1769, Cook watched the transit of Venus.

1843 – The Society Islands became a territory of France.

1880 – The islands became a French colony of the French Establishments of Oceania.

1940– Aiding Charles de Gaulle many islanders fought alongside Allied armies during World War II.

1946 – The Windward and Leeward Islands of the Society Islands were made an overseas territory of France known as French Polynesia and provided with a territorial assembly.

  • National Dish:
    Poisson cru au lait de coco – Fresh raw fish marinated in coconut milk (i’a ota ha’ari) with a zest of lime juice.

  • National Flower:
    The tiare Tahiti, the Tahitian gardenia (Gardenia taitensis)

  • Fun Fact: Tattoo word derives from the Tahitian tatau.
    Tattooing was significant to the Ma’ohi civilization that originated in Raiatea and it is an integral part of Polynesian culture now. Each design carry its own particular meaning.

Things To Do

Best Snorkeling on Bora Bora

Discover exceptional snorkeling spots with crystal-clear turquoise waters and colorful coral reefs full of marine life.

Best Snorkeling on Tahiti

Discover exceptional snorkeling spots with crystal-clear turquoise waters and colorful coral reefs full of marine life.

Best Snorkeling on Huahine

Discover a snorkeling paradise in crystal-clear turquoise waters vibrant with colorful coral gardens and full of marine life.  

Best Snorkeling on Raiatea and Taha’a

Raiatea and Taha’a share the same lagoon that is popular for snorkeling with crystal-clear turquoise waters and colorful coral reefs full of marine life.


With warm and crystal-clear waters French Polynesia is a world-renowned destination for diving. The prime time for diving is during the dry season (July-August) but shoulder seasons, May-June and September-October, are great as well.

Diving Clubs of the Islands of Tahiti:
https://www.tahititourisme.com/activities/diving/diving-clubs/

Hiking in Tahiti:
Tahiti with its towering mountain, lush rainforest, rivers, and spectacular waterfalls is a perfect island for hiking. There are hiking trials for all levels from easy to needing experience. Be respectful as the nature is central to Polynesians beliefs, providing a connection with the spirits of their ancestors.

Best islands for Humpback Whale-Watching & swimming with Humpback Whales: Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti.

French Polynesia is dedicated to marine conservation and provides a legal sanctuary for whales, sharks, and dolphins in the warm and vast waters of the region. Each year in July humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to French Polynesia. Whale watching tours are only permitted from August to November.  

Rules for observing and approaching all cetacean mammals:

Va’a (outrigger canoe) – Va’a racing is Tahiti’s national sport.

Discover Treasures of French Polynesia

The Islands of Tahiti are also well-known for cultivating the highly valued Tahitian vanilla (Vanilla tahitensis) renowned for its powerful aroma and distinctive flavor. Vanilla farming is a complex process involving hand-pollination of flowers and gentle curing of the beans. Vanilla is exported as powder, paste and oil in addition to its unprocessed bean form. It has been nicknamed the black gold of Tahiti due to its high demand and price.
https://www.polynesiaparadise.com/french-polynesia/tahitian-vanilla/

The Islands of Tahiti are also well-known for cultivating the highly valued Tahitian vanilla (Vanilla tahitensis) renowned for its powerful aroma and distinctive flavor. Vanilla farming is a complex process involving hand-pollination of flowers and gentle curing of the beans. Vanilla is exported as powder, paste and oil in addition to its unprocessed bean form. It has been nicknamed the black gold of Tahiti due to its high demand and prize.
https://www.polynesiaparadise.com/french-polynesia/tahitian-vanilla/

Visit Vanilla Farm in Raiatea:

Visit Vanilla Farm in Huahine:

https://tahititourisme.pf/en-pf/islands-and-archipelagos/the-society-islands/tahaa/what-to-do-in-tahaa/discover-the-vanilla-from-tahaa/

Vanilla originally came from Mexico. In 1841, a 12 year-old slave on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean invented the method of hand pollination. Tahitian vanilla is a hybrid of two varieties and is only grown in French Polynesia.

Tahiti Is Famous for Its Black Pearls.

Tahitian black pearls, poerava, are valued for a variety of distinctive colors from black and shades of charcoal grey to many shades of blues, green, gold, silver, and purple. They are farmed deep down in the warm lagoon waters from Pinctada margaritifera, the black-lipped oyster native to French Polynesia, the world’s only oyster that produces black pearls. The farming process takes 5 years and involves highly skillful grafting of a round nucleus (bead) from a hard Mississippi mussel shell (donor) into the gonad of the black-lipped oyster (recipient). Each cultivated pearl is truly one of a kind. Pearls are classified into 4 grades (A, B, C, and D) based on sheen, smoothness, color, size and shape.
https://www.tahititourisme.com/tahitian-black-pearls/

Visit Black Pearls Farms in Taha’a.

Visit Black Pearls Farm in Huahine.

Visit Black Pearls Farms in Raiatea.

Discover a Rich Polynesian Culture

  • The marae –archeological sites of ceremonial centers are central to the Polynesian heritage.
    https://www.tahititourisme.ca/top-10-sacred-sites-to-visit-in-the-islands-of-tahiti/
  • Ori Tahiti, a traditional dance that is deep-rooted in ancient rituals is a significant aspect of Tahitian culture. The dance is a means of telling stories with a range of emotions, flowing gestures, expressive energetic movements, and rhythmic drumming and ukulele playing. It is usually performed during ceremonies, festivals, and shows.
    https://www.tahititourisme.com/the-history-of-tahitian-dance/
  • The Heiva i Tahiti is the most important cultural festival, honoring Polynesian heritage and identity through music and dance competitions, traditional sports showcasing physical strength like outrigger canoe racing, javelin throwing, and stone lifting and includes exhibitions of local crafts as well. The vibrant festival dates back to 1881, usually starts in the first week of July with a fire walking ceremony and lasts the whole month. The majority of Heiva festival takes place on the main island of Tahiti.  
    https://www.tahititourisme.com/event/heiva-i-tahiti/
The Society Islands, French Polynesia
The Windward Islands & Leeward Islands
Tahiti
Bora Bora
Raiatea
Huahine
Taha’a
Snorkeling/Diving
Sample Photos from the Society Islands
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