The Queen of the Pacific and the heart of French Polynesia, Tahiti is a melting pot of Polynesian, Chinese and European culture. Comprising of five archipelagos in the South Pacific, Tahiti is known for its friendly locals, its award winning destination spas, its black pearls, its stunning natural beauty and iconic overwater bungalows.
Here are five iconic Tahiti activities.
Moorea Island
Moorea
Moorea is a heart-shaped island, fragrant with tropical flowers that bloom year-round, located just 30 minutes from Tahiti's vibrant capital, Papeete. Indulge in a traditional Polynesian massage after a pleasant day of swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. For something different, try Helmet Diving and walk across the bottom of the sea, amongst stingrays and reef fish. Opt for dinner and a show at the Tiki Village Theatre, Tahiti's spectacular live show, comprising singing, traditional dancing and fire dancing.
Overwater Bungalows
Imagine seeing colourful reef fish at your feet while you enjoy your morning coffee. In Tahiti you can, at any number of overwater bungalow resorts, from the largest standard overwater rooms in Tahiti, which can be found at the luxurious St Regis Resort on Bora Bora, to the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa's two-storey villas, to the more intimate surrounds of the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa. Overlooking the water within most Tahitian resorts, you'll discover a world-class destination spa, offering an array of exotic face and body treatments. Enjoy flower treatments, herbal rain showers or a banana leaf body wrap.
Black Pearls
Tahitian - "Black" - Pearls are Tahiti's most successful export and are exclusively produced in French Polynesia. Stunning specimens of various sizes and shapes have high quality nacre layers, which reflect an array of iridescent colours, including pink, green, blue, bronze and aubergine. Take a Pearl Farm Tour at Manaihi, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Tikehau or Taha'a, learn about the process of pearl cultivation and visit the pearl shops to select a unique cultured pearl of your choice; the perfect, most precious Tahitian souvenir.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora is possibly the world's most famous island and with its natural beauty and romantic ambience it's no wonder. Bora Bora's lagoon offers pristine conditions for swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, jet skiing, windsurfing and relaxing. Get up close and personal with Tahitian sea creatures, including turtles, rays and sharks at the Lagoonarium, and book a motu picnic on one of the lagoon's tiny islets; enjoy a gourmet meal of grilled mahi-mahi and yams, fresh fruit and coconut bread, all served on hand-woven palm leaf plates.
