Entry
Requirements
U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. If your passport is
other than U.S. or Canadian, check with the French Consulate. No
immunization certificates are required.
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Climate
French Polynesia enjoys warm, tropical weather year-round. The climate
is divided into two seasons: a "summer" that spans from
November through March, when the daily temperature is about 86 degrees
Fahrenheit, and most of the rain falls; and a drier "winter"
that spans from April through October, when the daily temperature is
about 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The year-round low is about 70 degrees
Fahrenheit. The average water temperature is in the low 80s.
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Time
Difference
Tahiti is in the same time zone as Hawaii, making it two hours behind
the West Coast during Pacific Standard Time, and three hours behind
during Pacific Daylight Time.
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Language
Tahitian and French are the main languages spoken throughout French
Polynesia. English is spoken at all major hotels and most shops and
restaurants.
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Currency
and Exchange
The Pacific French franc (CFP) is the currency used in French
Polynesia. It is different from the French franc. Banks are located at
Tahiti's International Airport and on each island. Generally a higher
exchange rate is given for travelers' cheques than for cash. Hotels
also exchange money but give a less favorable rate than banks. U.S.
currency may be accepted in most hotels, restaurants and other large
establishments.
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No
Tipping!
Tipping is contrary to Tahitian custom and may actually offend.
Consider this savings when comparing Tahiti with other destinations.
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Health
Tips
While tap water is generally safe, we suggest using bottled water sold
by all hotels. A good sun screen is essential (sun block is suggested
for the first few days) to prevent burning. As in all tropical
locales, French Polynesia has its share of mosquitoes; the hotels do
their part to keep this problem to a minimum, but it is still wise to
pack an insect repellent. Hospitals or medical clinics are available
for emergencies on most islands. Medications, even aspirin, should be
brought from home, as pharmacies are not always convenient to the
hotels.
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Electrical
Equipment
Most hotels have 110v outlets for electric shavers. For other
appliances such as hair dryers, a converter/adapter kit will usually
be needed. Hotels may have either 110v or 220v systems. It's wise to
always inquire at the hotel desk about the compatibility of your
appliances before you attempt to use them.
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Churches
The Polynesians are a very religious people. The church, whether
Protestant or Roman Catholic, is the center of activity in all
villages. No matter what your religion, you will find the Polynesians'
unaccompanied singing beautiful and moving. Guests are certainly
welcome in places of worship as long as they adhere to the usual
decorum; men should wear long pants and shirts, and women should wear
subdued dresses.
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Clothing
Tahiti is very informal. Lightweight, washable cottons will serve
well. Men will be comfortable in shorts, slacks for dinner, sport
shirts and sandals, while ladies may wear shorts, skirts and sun
dresses. We recommend at least two swimsuits per person, comfortable
rubber-soled shoes for walking on coral (a necessity on the shark
feeding excursion), a hat or visor, sunglasses
and a waterproof bag to protect your camera equipment from salt and
spray.
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Sports
Activities
Snorkeling, diving, tennis, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing,
outrigger canoeing, para-sailing, horseback riding, biking, hiking and
climbing are activities available on most islands in French Polynesia.
Game fishing is also widely available, though true aficionados
recommend December through July as the best months for this sport.
Golfers will find a spectacular course on the island of Tahiti; there
are no other courses in French Polynesia at this time. Many hotels
offer snorkeling equipment free, but it is advisable to pack your own
snorkel, fins and mask (and regulator if you are a serious scuba
diver).
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Shopping
Hand-blocked pareos (the traditional wraparound garment of Tahiti),
original gold jewelry, local shell craft, baskets, wood carvings and
vanilla beans can all be purchased in the markets and shops of Tahiti.
French imports, such as perfumes, are available in duty free shops,
while specialty shops within Papeete offer French fashions. Stores are
normally closed daily for a long lunch, on Saturday afternoon and all
day Sunday.
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Black
Pearls
French Polynesia is one of the few places in the world where cultured
black pearls are grown, and they can make a unique and exquisite
souvenir. The Pinctada margaritifera, the oyster species common in
Polynesia, produces a dark pearl which varies from pale (least
expensive) to dark gray with touches of green or pink (rarest and most
expensive). The two islands with the best selection of pearl stores
are Moorea and Tahiti. Good quality pearls range from $500 to $10,000
or more, though slightly flawed mementos can be had for much less. On
Moorea, we recommend the Black Pearl Gem Company. You will
receive a certificate with your documents. Present it at the store for
your complimentary gift, a Tahitian Pearl Keshi Pendant.
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Knowing
which Islands to Choose
When people refer to Tahiti, they're usually referring to a group of
islands known as the Society Islands in French Polynesia . . . Tahiti,
Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine and Raiatea; and the Tuamotu Archipelago
atolls of Rangiroa, Manihi and Tikehau. Each island is strikingly
different, and all are miraculously beautiful. Our island descriptions
on the following pages will help you choose the island combinations
that bring to life the Tahitian vacation you've always dreamed about.
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Selecting
the Resort That's Perfect for You
How you experience French Polynesia will depend to a great degree on
the hotels you select. This is especially true on the outer islands,
where your hotel is most likely to be the center of your activities.
To assist you in choosing the hotels that best suit your personal
tastes and desires, we have provided detailed descriptions of each
hotel. We encourage you to read these thoroughly.
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The
Unique Charm of Tahiti's Hotels
Rarely do we use such standard descriptions as "deluxe" or
"first class." The reason is that French Polynesia is not a
standard place: on these islands, you may elect to stay in a village
on an otherwise deserted atoll; in an overwater bungalow, cooled
naturally by the tropical trade winds; or in an air-conditioned high
rise near cosmopolitan Papeete. Even a modest hotel may offer a
setting of such incomparable beauty, the experience of staying there
may exceed that of staying in a deluxe hotel elsewhere in the world.
What strikes you as "deluxe" will depend entirely on your
own picture of paradise. The goal we set for ourselves is to make that
picture as clear as possible for you, so that you can choose with
confidence.
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A
Thatched-Roof Bungalow and a Beautiful Blue Lagoon . . .
Much of the fun of coming to the islands of French Polynesia is being
able to stay in thatched roof bungalows located in a tropical garden
setting, on a beautiful palm-fringed beach or over a crystal clear
lagoon. For the ultimate "escape," choose a vacation that
features these traditional Tahitian accommodations.
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Romantic
Treats
Add your own romance to our "Tried & True" or
"Inclusive" packages. Picture yourself on a secluded motu
with a private picnic lunch, on a sunset cruise sipping champagne, or
enjoying a romantic dinner on the beach. Ask for details.
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Early
Flight Arrivals and Pre-registration
With many international flights arriving in Tahiti in the very early
morning hours and inter-island flights arriving early, it is suggested
that you pre-register your hotel room for immediate occupancy where
appropriate. If it is already included, this will be indicated in the
"Included Features" as "includes
pre-registration." In most hotels in French Polynesia, check-in
time is 1 p.m. or later.
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Diving
French Polynesia 
Diving in French Polynesia is colorful, varied, and among the best
anywhere. You'll encounter a myriad
of colorful reef fish, moray eels, turtles, even manta rays and
sharks. The translucent waters are warm (generally 80 degrees and
above year 'round) and clear (visibility to over 150 feet) and full of
colorful, exciting marine life . . . no matter which island you choose
to explore.
Moorea specializes in
hand-feeding sharks and dives with rays and dolphins, along with a myriad
of reef fish and low-growing corals. Bora Bora generally offers
beautiful, graceful manta rays in its plankton-rich multi-hued lagoon.
Huahine and Raiatea offer more brilliant displays of coral ledges and
cliffs, along with varieties of colorful reef fish. However, it's the
Tuamotu atolls - Rangiroa, Manihi and Tikehau - where more experienced
divers will enjoy the fullest diversity of marine life, with dives
starting along the outer reefs, drifting through the passes, and into
the lagoons. It's high-excitement diving with black-tip and white-tip
sharks everywhere-and occasionally silver-tip or hammerhead.
Our Dive Coupon program can
offer you savings, while you enjoy some of the best diving available.
Look for this symbol and ask for details.
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Tahiti is only 7-1/2 hours from Los Angeles
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