Rate it. French Polynesia, a true paradise on earth, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. With only porous, coral-based soils and with no permanent streams, they have no agricultural potential aside from the ever-present coconut trees. The initials CFP stand for Communauté française du Pacifique and we use the ISO 4217 currency code of XPF (placed before the amount with no intervening space). Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of French Polynesia may be poor. Indeed, these islands are ideal for handholding, with their lush landscapes and mood-setting features like lagoons and grottos. French Polynesia, an archipelago that is located in the South Pacific Ocean, lies nearly midway between the Australian and South American landmasses. What an incredible experience. Here are some Tahitian words that you may pick up from a conversation: Tahitians have a tendency to mix up French and Tahitian words in their conversation, so don't be surprised. Schooners and cargo boats serve all the inhabited islands from Papeete. They are a very welcoming and warm people. this webpage of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, https://wikitravel.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=French_Polynesia&oldid=2672995, Pages linked to a data item for a disambiguation, French overseas country (pays d'outre-mer). Rangiroa, the largest coral atoll in French Polynesia, is famed for its natural beauty, and remains a favorite of travellers from across the globe. The Museum of Tahiti and her Islands, about 15km from Papeete, contains really great displays of Polynesian history, culture and ethnology. Learn more about Tahiti & French Polynesia … French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France and comprises of 118 small islands and atolls, scattered across the south-central Pacific Ocean. The island groups are geographically scattered over an area of more than 2,000 km in the South Pacific Ocean. The territory of French Polynesia has about the same surface as the European Union but the combined land area (all islands and atolls) is just about the size of Mallorca. The capital, Papeete, is on Tahiti, French Polynesia’s largest island (403 square miles [1,043 square km]), in the Society group. The following facts apply to French Polynesia in general. The top rated dishes are raw fish a la tahitienne which is marinated in lemon juice and coconut milk and the very popular Chinese ma'a tinito (which is a mixture of pork, kidney beans, Chinese cabbage and macaroni.). The COVID-19 lockdown has led Tahiti to take stock of the impact cruise ships have on the environment and infrastructure of French Polynesia. The search_hotel_count Best Luxury French Polynesia Hotels . All of the islands are of volcanic origin but are relatively low (rising to elevations of 270 to 1,440 feet [80 to 440 metres]) and rounded. French Polynesia has a coastline of 2,525 km and does not border any other country of the world. The Best Parts of French Polynesia are Outside of Tahiti. Like the Marquesas and the Tuamotu-Gambiers, the Tubuai Islands have poor connections with Tahiti. During the 1960's and 1970's, the French conducted atmospheric nuclear tests in the islands, primarily at Mururoa atoll. The situation is so dire that recently, France extended a … In French Polynesia more than one voltage is being used (110 / 220 V). Although the islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora provide over 80% of hotel capacity, the lesser known islands are also opening top-of-the-range establishments. Ate it? Rotations vary according to the destinations: from three times a week to the Society Islands to once monthly to the Island of Mangareva. French Polynesia is a sprawling possession of France in the Pacific Ocean, made up of 118 volcanic and coral islands and atolls, including Tahiti. Read the Fodor's reviews, or post your own. Passengers arriving on international flights must collect their baggage, go through customs and then recheck-in at the domestic flight counters some 50m to the right of the International arrivals area. Approaching the islands from the sea is difficult. In just two months, cases there have skyrocketed, pushing their health care systems to the brink. Sailing French Polynesia’s Society Islands. French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity or country of the French Republic that is comprised of many groups of Polynesian islands. However, be aware of moray eels which hide deep in the corals and are generally curious. It can depend on the region, the city or even the hotel which voltage you will come across. Being a French territory, wine is common and easy to find. A transit (less than 24 hours) with a flight number change is considered as stopover. Latest travel advice for French Polynesia including how coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting travel and entry requirements at this time as well as safety and security and local laws and customs French Polynesia — History and Culture. A beautiful beach on Huahine, with Bora Bora in the distance. We’re going to need more than 90 days to do it any justice. The British discovered Tahiti in the mid 1760's and Captain Cook visited there in 1769 to observe the Transit of Venus before sailing on to the south and west in search of the fabled Terra Australus Incognita with the assistance of a Polynesian navigator. Most of the inter-islands flights in the Marquesas are operated with Twin Otter. For travelers who prefer the simplicity and authenticity of the local experience, family hotels are the ideal type of accommodation. Air Tahiti Nui flies to Paris via Los Angeles and nonstop to Tokyo & Auckland. Edouard Fritch says there is no other way to deal with the pandemic, and Tahiti cannot afford to close the border for a third time as the territory is financially dead. Do note that tipping is not a custom in Tahiti and her Islands. You can make the connection with the following information: LAN Chile [6] flies once a week to/from Easter Island and Santiago de Chile. Bora Bora (10) Moorea (3) Tahiti (4) Display all hotel names view. Some of them are volcanic islands rising above 4,000 feet (1,200 metres), with sharp and twisting contours. The archipelagoes of French Polynesia are the Society Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, Gambier Islands, Marquesas Islands, and Tubuai Islands. French Polynesia Travel Guide. Scattered across this endless blue, are 118 islands and atolls, some with names you’ll likely steal for your future newborns. Accessibility is a requirement, however, for new construction. French Polynesia is at its best between June and August when the climate is at its driest and the weather is balmy, sitting comfortably in the high 20s to mid 30s Celsius. The beauty of the islands, the culture, and the people make a lasting impression on travelers from everywhere. French Polynesia consists of five archipelagos - the Austral Islands, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Society Islands, and the Tuamotu Archipelago. Covering a total land area of 4,167 sq.km (1,609 sq mi) and spread over a vast area about the size of Europe, the widely scattered 118 islands and atolls of French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France and are divided into 5 island groups: the Austral, Gambier, Marquesas, Society and Tuamotu archipelagos; in the south-central Pacific Ocean. I was so freaking excited to get to Tahiti, because even just the name made it sound like this mystical, magical, tropical island paradise. Catamarans and ferry boats cross between Tahiti and Moorea several times a day. The islands of one archipelago must be visited before moving to the next archipelago (eg islands of the Society archipelago must be visited before those of the Tuamotu archipelago). French Polynesia includes 121 islands scattered across more than 1,930,500 square miles (five million square kilometers) in the southern Pacific Ocean between Australia and South America. Tahiti, formed of two ancient volcanic cones, is particularly striking because of its dramatic silhouette, which rises 7,352 feet (2,241 metres) above sea level. Tahiti is the largest island and home to the international airport (PPT) in its capital, Papeete, and the popular resort island of Moorea is just a short ferry ride away. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe … Family hotels: offers full board meal service and. Chinese people has arrived long time ago in French Polynesia. French Polynesia (officially, the collectivity of French Polynesia) is divided into 5 administrative subdivisions (subdivisions administratives, sing. French Polynesia subscribes to laws that require disability accommodations, and many new buildings with public or community space are accessible. 183. Historic Sites • Bodies of Water. About French Polynesia. There are lots of inexpensive mother-of-pearl jewellery that make very nice gifts. Helpful Tips Before You Go. Testing later moved underground after international protests from other Pacific countries, including a flotilla of yachts and a warship from New Zealand to monitor tests in 1974. Plus, the scuba diving is outstanding, and it makes Tahiti a dream destination for divers of all skill levels. Air Tahiti suggests the following multi-island itineraries: Check-in at the airports begins 1 hour and closes 20 min before departure time (except for flights to Rarotonga where check-in begins 2 hrs and closes 45 min before departure time). Consequently, besides your camera and your extra memory cards, do not forget to pack lightweight cotton clothes, sunscreen lotion and a baseball cap or a wide brimmed hat. Encounters with sharks in the lagoon will be most likely when scuba diving or even snorkelling but they are harmless. Two local chains, Maitai and South Pacific Management, complete the hotel scene. As elsewhere, the hard living conditions cause many people to migrate to Tahiti and Papeete. The ATR42 and ATR72 reach a cruising speed of about 500km/h. However, they are often interspersed with periods of sunshine. Please also respect the land and its diversity. This is especially true for those of us earning the embattled U.S. dollar, whose recent all-time low has added 25% or more to a visit here. Sailing, Snorkeling, and Exploring. This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. French Polynesia’s tourism-dominated service sector accounted for 85% of total value added for the economy in 2012. French Polynesia - French Polynesia - Government and society: French Polynesia has greater autonomy than many other French possessions. In French Polynesia, a vast archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, the climate is tropical, influenced by the south-east trade winds, with a hot and humid season from November to April and a cooler season from May to October.The hot season is also the rainiest, in addition, from December to April, there's the risk of cyclones (except on the Marquesas Islands). We have reviews of the best places to see in French Polynesia. 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