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Tahiti and Her Islands comprise an area officially known as French Polynesia, a French overseas possession, claimed in 1843. Settled by the Polynesians in 850, Tahiti is the largest of the Society Islands, so named by Captain Cook in 1769.
The islands are scattered over four million square kilometers of ocean in the eastern South Pacific and consists of five archipelagoes: the Society Islands, Austral Islands, Marquesas Islands, Tuamotu Atolls and the Mangareva Islands. Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia.
In many people's eyes, these are the most beautiful tropical islands in the world, thanks to their geography, the lush vegetation and their unique multicolored lagoons. Then there are the flowers, lots of them, and all the lovely people (wearing the flowers in their hair, as leis, or behind their ears) and their culture, political stability and a constant currency. There are close to 250,000 people living in French Polynesia, 74 percent of which live in the Windward Islands, 12 percent in the Leeward Islands, 7.5 percent in the Tuamotu Archipelago, 3.5 percent in the Marquesas Islands, and 3 percent in the Austral Islands. The Tahitians are a handsome people noted for their hospitality, friendliness and easygoing approach to life.
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If you want big hotels, lots of people around and an ordinary vacation, then Tahiti is not for you. Tahiti receives fewer tourists in 1 year than Hawaii gets in 10 days. There are no mega resorts in Tahiti, few tourists to be seen, and you will have the entire magical environment basically to yourself. But Tahiti is expensive, very expensive - I guess paradise has its price… |
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All visitors entering French Polynesia must have a valid return airline ticket and a passport that is valid for a period of six months after the date of their return. Citizens of the European Union and the following countries may spend up to three months in French Polynesia without a visa: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, San Marin, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Vatican.
Citizens of the following countries may spend one month in French Polynesia without a visa: Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brunei, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, the United States of America, and Uruguay.
Citizens of all other countries in South America, Africa, and Asia must request a visa before arriving in French Polynesia. An entry visa for France is not considered valid for entering French Polynesia.
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French (official), Tahitian (official), English in tourist places. |
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Tahita is approximately 2,700 miles south of Hawaii, and about 3,600 miles northeast of Australia, Latitude/Longitude is 17° 52S, 149° 56W.
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Rangiroa, with its 42 mile long by 16 mile wide turquoise and jade-green lagoon, is the largest atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago and the second largest in the world. From the air, the atoll seems to be a giant pearl necklace laid upon the water. Here is a world where 240 tiny islets, or Motus, each no more than three feet in elevation, lay upon the ocean for more than 110 miles completely encircling an infinitely deep lagoon.
Only an hour's flight from Tahiti, Rangiroa offers sunshine, white coral beaches and an immense playground for water sports and activities. Lagoon excursions include amazing snorkeling amongst thousands of colorful fish of all shapes and sizes together with 3 or 4 varieties of sharks. They elegantly - and harmlessly - cruise by, but close enough to make the heart beat just a little faster. The Rangiroa lagoon and the pass are also world famous for unsurpassed scuba diving which is available through professional diving centers and can be prearranged.
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Rangiroa's lagoon carries an astounding assortment of marine life, which makes it a prime spot for snorkeling. L'Ile aux Recifs Beach, Papiro Point, and the Mahuta area are all known for their superb snorkeling. However, you don't have to go anywhere in particular to snorkel on the atoll of Rangiroa. Just grab your mask and fins, walk down to the closest beach and jump in! |
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To "shoot the pass" is to experience what many have called "the world's greatest adrenaline rush!" Divers, snorkelers, and even those aboard a glass-bottomed boat are carried in a rush of water between the ocean and lagoon surrounded by seemingly millions of fish. Outside the reefs is a breathtaking array of large species along the walls of the drop-offs, including squadrons of eagle rays and schools of sharks and tuna. |
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Cooled by the gentle breezes of the Pacific, the climate in French Polynesia is sunny and pleasant. Although Tahiti is a tropical environment, the rainfalls do not follow the "monsoon" type of weather. This means that there is no real pattern of rainfalls and that it can be sunny for many days in a row, or has intermittent showers any time of the year. But there is usually far more sunshine than rain in any period. There are no real seasons in Tahiti, although there is supposedly a "rainier" and "drier" season. I have never noticed much of a difference between the two, either in rainfalls or temperatures. So, the weather is not that relevant when deciding your vacation date. There is no "hurricane season" as these islands are outside the hurricane zones of the Pacific. |
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During daylight saving time, French Polynesia is:
- 10 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time
- 2 hours behind US Pacific Standard Time
- 20 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.
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When calling overseas, dial 00+ the country and area code + the telephone number. Visitors wishing to have someone overseas call while they are visiting French Polynesia should instruct the caller to dial 689, Tahiti's country code, and then the six figures of the local number. French Polynesia has an increasingly growing cell (mobile) telephone network that covers Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea/Taha'a, Huahine and parts of Rangiroa. Most overseas cell phones may be used here once a connection kit has been obtained from the local cell phone system "Vini". At Motu Tetaraire, there is NO cell phone reception. |
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The official local currency is the French Pacific franc, or XPF, which has a fixed exchange rate with the Euro (1 Euro = 119.33 XPF). Bank exchange rates for all other currencies fluctuate daily. The average bank exchange rate for 1 US dollar last year was 105 French Pacific francs.
It is easy to exchange your currency in French Polynesia. Tahiti's Automatic Currency Exchange has an office at the Tahiti-Faa'a International Airport where visitors may exchange money upon arrival or before leaving Tahiti. Hotels and some stores will accept foreign currency, but not always at the official exchange rate.
There are bank notes in denominations of 10,000 XPF, 5,000 XPF, 1,000 XPF and 500 XPF, and coins exist in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 XPF. Visitors might receive as change coins stamped 'Nouvelle Caledonie' (New Caledonia), a French Pacific territory where the XPF is also used.
Most international credit cards are accepted by tourist industry business as well as traveler's checks in US dollars or Euro. French Polynesia remains one of the most risk-free places for visitors to carry cash with them. As for valuable objects, visitors are advised to put them in a hotel or room safe when they are not being used.
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No vaccinations are necessary before visiting French Polynesia, which has an excellent sanitary and medical system.
French Polynesia enjoys a high standard of health, with excellent medical and dental services, pharmacies, private clinics, and a large government hospital in Tahiti, which is open 24 hours. The outer islands have hospitals or dispensaries and a few private practitioners (Rangiroa has two doctors).
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All published prices include service since welcoming people and providing service is a tradition in Tahiti and Her Islands. However, there's nothing preventing visitors from leaving a tip for exceptional service, but visitors are not obliged to tip. |
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There are no sales taxes and no airport taxes. |
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Tap water in the hotels and restaurants is safe to drink. Local mineral waters and all sorts of French mineral waters are available. On the Motu water is collected from rainfall. Although it is safe to drink, we recommend using bottled water for drinking. |
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French Polynesia operates on 220-volt alternating current. Electrical sockets are the same as in France. |
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Visitors are advised to remember that the sun is extremely strong in this part of the world. They should always protect themselves properly and frequently with a suntan lotion and wear appropriate clothing, even when going swimming.
UV Index Category Sunburn Time
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over 9 |
extreme |
less than 15 minutes |
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7-9 |
high |
about 20 minutes |
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4-7 |
medium |
about 30 minutes |
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0-4 |
low |
more than 1 hour |
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Flies and mosquitoes and perhaps 'nonos' (sand flies) are the most common insects in French Polynesia. Insecticides and skin sprays offer the best protection.
There are no snakes, poisonous spiders or dangerous animals living in Tahiti and Her Islands. There are a variety of sharks, usually no larger than a big fish and very often timid.
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