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Today: A journey information to French Polynesia
My journey weblog incorporates a part that includes a collection of vacation spot & journey guides. You can discover these journey guides beneath ‘destinations‘ in the blog’s header menu (indicated by the blue arrow within the screenshot under).
I hope these on-line journey guides – primarily based by myself journey experiences – could provide help to to get probably the most out of your (luxurious) journeys. So far, I’ve revealed journey guides on the next locations:
Today, I’m including a brand new journey information to my weblog about French Polynesia.
Located within the southern a part of the Pacific Ocean, midway between California and Australia, the Islands of Tahiti are a legendary vacation spot. Also often called French Polynesia, the nation is comprised of 118 islands dispersed throughout a big nautical space the scale of Western Europe. The smattering of coral-fringed islands and atolls stretches south of the Equator slightly below Hawaii and is in the identical time zone. The point out of Tahiti calls to thoughts visions of an idyllic island paradise and when you go to, you’ll uncover that your creativeness isn’t too off the mark. With sheltered blue lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, an imposing, mountainous inside, and 5 star overwater inns, French Polynesia is an idyllic tropical paradise that pulls guests from everywhere in the world. The archipelago’s legendary locations embody Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and the distant and untouched Marquesas Islands.
Get probably the most out of your (luxurious) journey to French Polynesia with my journey information. Find out extra about:
TRAVEL GUIDE TO FRENCH POLYNESIA: BEST TIME TO VISIT
French Polynesia enjoys a tropical local weather that’s excellent year-round for a getaway. In truth, the archipelago’s Tuamotu Islands delight in virtually 3,000 hours of sunshine per yr, one of many highest on the planet! The temperatures in French Polynesia are gentle and comparatively fixed, and the islands are cooled by the commerce winds of the Pacific that blow all year long. On the northern islands, the common ambient temperature is round 78°F/25°C, which is about the identical because the tranquil waters of the nation’s turquoise lagoons. While farther away from the equator, the archipelagos down south (the Austral Islands and the Gambier Islands) get pleasure from cooler climate.
At the Polynesian latitudes, it’s summer time year-round. However, you may distinguish two most important Tahitian climate patterns: the dry season and the humid season.
- The dry season lasts from May to October, has balmy temperatures between 71°F and 80°F/21°C and 27°C, and is marked by principally clear skies (with the occasional passing bathe). The dry season although additionally brings robust commerce winds, which may make water actions like snorkeling tough and rattle Bora Bora’s overwater bungalows.
- The humid season sometimes lasts from November to April, is slightly hotter (between 77°F and 95°F/25°C and 35°C), and topic to tropical showers. The frequent showers often don’t last more than half-hour and are sometimes adopted by vibrant rainbows and gorgeous sunsets. However, there’s all the time an opportunity that the downpours could final for a number of days. You’ll even be in danger for cyclones, so it’s vital to remain alert. Flights can be cancelled because of dangerous climate or lack of passengers.
The greatest time to go to Tahiti is the one which coincides with the actions you want to expertise:
- The greatest season for a seashore vacation is in fact the dry season, which lasts from May to October. If you’re in search of probably the most comfy seashore trip potential, you’ll need to keep away from the moist season of November by way of April.
- With technicolor reefs that teem with tropical fish, the islands of French Polynesia are world-renowned for scuba diving and snorkeling. The greatest time of yr to discover the islands’ underwater gardens is between April and October. This is the dry season and the shortage of rain makes for clear, calm waters and wonderful visibility. During the moist season, rain and wind can have an effect on visibility, however that is much less problematic within the islands’ shallow, sheltered lagoons.
- Outdoor actions similar to climbing and browsing are additionally greatest loved within the dry season when trails are straightforward to navigate and waves peel as completely as a slice of orange. However, for those who’re seeking to dangle ten on large barrels, the wet season brings excessive waves that may problem even probably the most seasoned surfers.
- To expertise the jungle-clad pure surroundings of French Polynesia, go to in the course of the moist season, or “Season of Plenty,” between November and April when the vegetation in French Polynesia is especially luxuriant. This can be the very best time for individuals who like to pattern new tastes as all of the tropical fruit are ripe.
- The greatest time to see whales in French Polynesia is from mid-August till the tip of October. This is when humpbacks migrate from Antarctica to mate and provides beginning. Average day and night time temperatures begin to rise, however humidity ranges are nonetheless low sufficient so that you can get pleasure from being exterior for longer intervals. Come to Tahiti in October to see the whales, swim with them, and revel in clear skies, sunny climate, and fewer folks on vacation. Although it’s the wettest month of the dry season, it nonetheless has solely half the rainfall in November.
TRAVEL GUIDE TO FRENCH POLYNESIA: HOW TO GET THERE
There’s little doubt that attending to Tahiti takes some effort, however the payoff is properly price it. Most vacationers headed to this tropical paradise arrive by air. The Tahiti-Faa’a International Airport is positioned on Tahiti’s most important island and is near the archipelago’s capital metropolis Papeete. This is the one worldwide airport in French Polynesia and it’s shut and handy to all the key inns and resorts on Tahiti. From right here, you may hop on connecting flights through Air Tahiti to discover the various areas that make up this pristine island nation, together with stunning Bora Bora identified for its turquoise lagoon and white sand seashores.
French Polynesia is well accessible by air from the United States, and a flight from Los Angeles to Tahiti is round 7 hours and half-hour in period. Many airways fly direct to Tahiti from the US mainland, together with:
- United Airlines affords 5 nonstop flights per week and French Bee affords three nonstop flights per week from San Francisco to Tahiti’ International airport in Faa’a.
- Air Tahiti Nui flights depart nonstop from Los Angeles 9 to 12 instances per week with a number of flights per day. Nonstop flights from Seattle can be found twice per week.
- Air France affords direct flights from Los Angeles to Papeete 5 instances per week.
- Delta Airlines affords nonstop flights from Los Angeles thrice per week.
If you need to break up the journey to French Polynesia with a cease in Hawaii, you’re in luck: Hawaiian Airlines affords common flights to Tahiti from Honolulu as soon as every week. Leaving each Friday, flights arrive in Papeete and return on Saturdays, so it’s straightforward to schedule a one or two-week journey to French Polynesia and spend a couple of days in Hawaii as properly.
Flights to the island of Tahiti depart from everywhere in the globe, together with direct flights from Japan, New Zealand, Chile, and Australia. Flight time varies relying in your departure location. Here is a complete listing of flight durations from fashionable worldwide airport hubs to French Polynesia:
- Paris – Papeete: 22h00 (with a brief stopover in Los Angeles, Seattle or San Francisco)
- Los Angeles – Papeete: 08h00
- Seattle – Papeete: 10h00
- San Francisco – Papeete: 08h00
- Honolulu – Papeete: 05h00
- Nouméa – Papeete: 06h20
- Tokyo – Papeete: 11h00
- Shanghai – Papeete: 12h30
- Hong Kong – Papeete: 11h30
- Sydney – Papeete: 09h05
- Auckland – Papeete: 05h00
- Rarotonga – Papeete: 02h30
- Santiago du Chili – Papeete: 11h00
- Hanga Roa (Easter Island) – Papeete: 04h50
Before you purchase a airplane ticket, take into account studying my suggestions & methods for purchasing the most cost effective airplane ticket.
TRAVEL GUIDE TO FRENCH POLYNESIA: ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Requirements for entry into French Polynesia differ from nation to nation, and are topic to alter. Prior to departure, all the time test together with your authorities and your nearest French embassy or consulate what paperwork you want for journey to French Polynesia. Some vital factors:
- First, test to see for those who want a visa for French Polynesia by visiting the official visa web site for France. Take a fast take a look at to find out whether or not you want a visa.
- Visitors holding a residence allow from one of many nations of the European Union or the Schengen Area are exempt from the requirement to acquire a visa offered that their residence allow is legitimate in the course of their keep in French Polynesia.
- For U.S. and Canadian Citizens: your passport have to be legitimate for no less than three months after the return date. No visa is required for stays of as much as 90 days.
- Any foreigner who needs to remain greater than three months in French Polynesia should apply for a long-term French Polynesia visa except residents of the exempt nations.
- Chinese vacationers can e book a visit with out visa to French Polynesia by way of a journey company accredited by the visa workplace of the French embassy, the visa free coverage is barely relevant to ADS tour teams with lower than 15 days keep.
Make certain you learn my 10 tricks to plan a worry-free journey.
TRAVEL GUIDE TO FRENCH POLYNESIA: GETTING AROUND
Once you’ve arrived in Tahiti, it’s possible you’ll need to head straight to your lodge or resort, or it’s possible you’ll be certain for a special island such because the ever-enchanting Bora Bora and Moorea islands. Regardless of the place you’re certain, you may simply e book connecting flights and different modes of transportation round the Islands of Tahiti.
- Air journey is the most well-liked technique of island hopping. While Faa’a International Airport welcomes giant worldwide wide-body jets, many airports all through the archipelago will see only a handful of small passenger planes every week. The home airline Air Tahiti is the first mode of transportation between islands. Regular flights depart each day to and from the worldwide airport in Papeete. Flight time between Tahiti and Moorea is barely 10 minutes, whereas the flight time between Tahiti and Bora Bora is 50 minutes.
- for those who’re headed to Moorea, there’s a each day ferry service from Tahiti that takes about half-hour a technique.
- Public transportation is extensively obtainable on the Tahiti most important island. There is a bus system and taxis for transport to your lodge, the airport, and the ferry terminal. On the outer islands, public transportation is much less widespread. Rental automobiles and bikes can be found in Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha’a. However, apart from your personal two toes or an area boat, it’s possible you’ll not even want transportation when you’re in paradise.
- Cruise ships depart from inside Tahiti and island hop throughout the nationwide borders. Papeete serves because the gateway for cruises to the French Polynesian archipelagos. To embark on an inter-island cruise, vacationers should fly into Tahiti-Faa’a International Airport in Papeete, which is the leaping off level for ocean odysseys. From there, you may simply hop on Tahitian cruise ships and discover the enchanted isles through Tahiti’s blue waterways.
- Paul Guaguin Cruises are among the many most luxurious and fashionable inter-island cruises. The firm’s modern ship carries as much as 332 passengers and options comfy cabins, an expansive deck, and an out of doors pool. Guests even have entry to a large number of watersports similar to kayaking, paddle boarding and scuba diving.
- If you’ve ever dreamed of crusing the Pacific, a visit aboard Tahiti’s Windstar Cruises affords the prospect to discover the tropical archipelago beneath billowing white sails. While the ship is smaller than a standard cruise liner, the intimacy and romance of a Windstar cruise is miles away from abnormal.
- Additionally, you may expertise the wonders of French Polynesia on cargo cruise ships such because the Aranui 5, which affords 14-day live-aboard excursions, or the Tuhaa Pae IV, which cruises bi-monthly to the oft-undiscovered Astral Islands.
TRAVEL GUIDE TO FRENCH POLYNESIA: INSPIRATION, HIGHLIGHTS & TRAVEL TIPS
French Polynesia is a vacation spot composed of 118 islands and atolls in 5 archipelagos. The nation’s three hottest island places are Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Moorea:
- Crowned by a circle of majestic peaks, the island of Tahiti, the most important of islands in French Polynesia, towers over the South Pacific ocean. The mountainous inside and coast of Tahiti a is adorned with mystical valleys, coral reefs, crystal clear waters, and excessive waterfalls. Most of the island’s inhabitants resides close to the shore, leaving the inside of the island feeling virtually untouched and historic, regardless of such proximity to the bustling capital of Papeete. Papeete, that means “water basket,” was as soon as a gathering place the place Tahitians got here to fill their calabashes with contemporary water. Now, Papeete, the touchstone of this island nation, boasts a number of inns, spas, eating places, nightclubs, vibrant markets, museums, pearl outlets, and boutiques.
- With a form like a coronary heart wanting down on the island from above, it’s no shock that Moorea island – a 30 min ferry experience or 10min flight from Tahiti – is the second hottest honeymoon vacation spot on French Polynesia (after Bora Bora). Eight mountain peaks rise magically out of the ocean like a cathedral. Pastel-painted homes, surrounded by gardens of hibiscus and birds of paradise, circle the island in a necklace of completely happy, easy villages that may elevate your senses and remind you that that is what Polynesian life-style is all about. Moorea affords guests an genuine expertise, boasting “la vie heureuse,” as they are saying in Tahiti, a contented life.
- The south pacific island of Bora Bora might simply be outlined as the middle of the romantic universe, the place luxurious, seashore resorts, and spas dot the island with overwater bungalows, thatched-roof villas, and a fabled ambiance. Bora Bora is positioned on a dormant volcano island, set on one of many world’s most stunning and crystal-clear lagoons, coloured in one million shades of blue. The legendary island is positioned a short 50-minute flight from Tahiti or Moorea.
But apart from Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, French Polynesia can be house to a number of different much less identified island gems. Here are some examples:
- The island of Taha’a may be seen from Bora Bora, and like its world-well-known neighbor, it affords astoundingly clear waters and a soothing break from trendy life. This charming and quiet island sweeps you deep into the everyday Polynesians’ straightforward going life. Tiny motus with luminous white sand seashores encompass the flower-shaped island with a delicate mountain rising from the calm waters of a lagoon.
- Formerly named Hava’i, Raiatea is positioned subsequent to Taha’a and is called the gods’ cradle, internet hosting archeological treasures (marae, petroglyphs…) and eons of historical past and tradition. As the primary Polynesian island to be populated, Raiatea shelters probably the most spectacular and first marae of the Polynesian triangle, known as Taputapuatea. Raiatea is the highest yachting location because the island hosts a lot of moorings, bays (deep and calm) in a pristine and wonderful setting.
- Surrounding one of many world’s biggest locations for scuba diving, the 240 islets of Rangiroa string collectively within the ocean for greater than 110 miles (177 km), utterly encircling a deep lagoon and forming the world’s second largest atoll. The stunning loop of islands is surrounded by completely different sorts of ocean: Moana-tea (Peaceful Ocean), which defines the lagoon, and Moana-uri (Wild Ocean), the place whales, manta rays, dolphins and sharks placed on a present for the fortunate few who come to expertise their world.
- About a 3 hour flight from Tahiti are the Marquesas Islands. These rugged, quiet islands are famend inside French Polynesia for his or her wealthy tradition and breathtaking nature. Surrounded by cliffs, the coasts of the Marquesas Islands are a mixture of black sand seashores and lovely bays. In the plush rain forest, the place 1000’s of pre-European artifacts lie, you’ll uncover wild horses, goats, boars, and different wildlife. Nuku Hiva, the most important of the Marquesas, lures guests with its lush valleys, historic spiritual websites, and towering waterfalls. The island of Hiva Oa additionally receives tourism because of its wild panorama, big stone tiki, and wealthy historical past (it’s the ultimate resting place of the performer Jacques Brel and artist Paul Gauguin).
There are so many issues to do when visiting the Islands of Tahiti, you’ll be hard-pressed to perform all of them. Highlights embody:
- Exploring white sand seashores (the very best seashores are discovered on Bora Bora)
- Swimming with humback whales (Moorea, Tahiti)
- Swimming with sharks and manta rays (Bora Bora)
- Staying in an overwater bungalow
- Admiring the island’s spectacular surroundings from a hen’s eye view by helicopter
- Watching surfers experience Teahupo’o in southern Tahiti, one of many heaviest waves on the planet
TRAVEL GUIDE TO FRENCH POLYNESIA: SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
It’s unattainable to recommend one itinerary for French Polynesia on this journey information, however I hereby share with you a schedule primarily based by myself expertise, which is nice if you wish to see the nation in a timeframe of two weeks:
- Day 1 & 2 (2 nights): arrive in Tahiti and chill out after the lengthy journey to the island
- Day 3 to five (3 nights): take the ferry to Moorea and discover the island
- Day 6 to 10 (5 nights): take a flight to Bora Bora and chill out in an overwater villa
- Days 11 to 14 (4 nights): take a personal flight to The Brando and discover the Tetiaroa Atoll
- Day 15: fly again to Tahiti to your worldwide return flight
Some remarks:
- If you arrive early morning in Tahiti, it’s possible you’ll as properly skip the (considerably overdevelopped) island of Tahiti and immmediately proceed to the island of Bora Bora or Moorea which have extra to supply when it comes to vacationer sights and accomodations.
- If you might have just one week, I recommend you keep 3 nights in Moorea and 4 nights in Bora Bora, or alternatively, 7 nights in Bora Bora.
- If you might have greater than two weeks, you may get off the crushed observe and discover among the archipelago’s extra distant locations, similar to Rangiroa and the Marquesas Islands.
For extra concepts, I recommend the superb French Polynesia itineraries as offered by the Frommer’s.
TRAVEL GUIDE TO FRENCH POLYNESIA: RECOMMENDED HOTELS (+ REVIEWS)
Below, you discover my detailed evaluations of inns in French Polynesia (with professionals, cons, & suggestions to economize per lodge).
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