Planning Your Trip?

The Islands of Tahiti – the birthplace of the signature overwater bungalow – are celebrating 50 years of the striking, unique accommodation, sitting above its turquoise lagoon water, that helped put the destination on the travel map.

Get off the beaten track and discover the lesser-known side of The Islands of Tahiti. You could take a Circle Island Tour of Tahiti: you’ll visit the Museum of Tahiti et Ses Îles, the Marae Arahurahu, Maraa Grotto, Harrison Smith Botanical Gardens, Vaipahi Garden, Pointe Venus, the House of James Norman Hall, and Papeete Marketplace. You’ll also have dinner in a local restaurant. On Taha’a, you could visit a traditional vanilla plantation, have a Motu picnic for lunch on a private islet and snorkel the Coral Garden. From Uturoa, the capital city of Raiatea (the second-largest island in The Islands of Tahiti), sail to Fa’aroa Bay, stopping en route at the ancient complex of the legendary Marae Taputapuatea – the largest ancient outdoor temple in all of French Polynesia has recently been made a UNESCO world heritage site. Alternatively, discover Huahine, two separate islands: Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti, which are connected by a small bridge. Only a 35-minute flight from Papeete, this lush, green and quiet island is home to many of Polynesia’s most important archaeological sites. Or, take the 50-minute flight from the island of Tahiti to the atoll of Rangiroa, and enjoy the aerial views as you arrive into the second-largest atoll in the world. You can ‘Shoot the Pass’ and drift dive alongside hundreds of sea creatures, dive deep along the drop-offs and among hammerhead, wrasse, and rays, then end your day watching the sunset at your resort and dining on an island meal featuring the catch of the day. You could also discover French Polynesia’s only winery: Vin de Tahiti, where 50,000 bottles of Tahitian wine, both white and rosé, are cultivated annually. Get planning…