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French Polynesia is a French overseas collection of many islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is a French territory but you will feel like you are in another era and another location altogether because of its rich and exotic beauty. The most famous and most populous island in the French Polynesia is Tahiti.

Following are the Top 5 places to visit within the French Polynesian Island:

Tahiti

On this island is Papeete which is the capital of the territory. Papeete has an airport. At the Faaa airport you are welcomed with songs and flower crowns, there’s nothing much to see in this city apart from the city centre and the VAIMA centre. Here you will find some accidental chain shops, but a closer look among these shops will reveal to you a jewelers shop which specializes in manufacturing black pearls at cheap prices.

You can pay a visit to the north-eastern part of the island by local trucks at a modest sum. But be careful of the come back time as they don’t follow any exact time table. Take a walk along the harbor. Here you’ll find lots of shops and bars.

A visit to the Papeete market is also advisable. It is opened from 5:30 am to 5:30 pm. Here you would find food delicacies, flower based liqueurs, exotic fruits, tourist souvenirs, posters, postcards and many more items for you to store in your collection.

If you are tired, take a walk to the town hall and see a magnificent building surrounded by lush green gardens. This is definitely the perfect place to take rest.

If you get an opportunity to witness a Polynesian wedding, don’t miss it. It will be an unforgettable experience.

Try having a swim. Tahiti has some beautiful beaches where both the water and the fishes are great.

Moorea

It’s 15 kms north-west from Papeete and takes 10 minutes by plane to reach. The island was formed due to a volcanic eruption 2 million years ago.

It is famous for its beaches, coconut trees, rocky corries chiseled by the wind, its lagoons with irregular colors gave it the reputation of most beautiful island of the Pacific. Moorea is especially popular as a honeymoon destination and can be often seen in advertisements in American wedding magazines.

Bora-Bora

Its 240 kms north-west of Papeete and takes around 45 minutes by plane to reach.

This island shows a real harmony of colors, with its dazzling lagoons which appear mixed in blues and turquoises and a barrier reef. Its stylishly erosed volcano remains rising to two peaks and the beat of the local music will satisfy your sense of esthetism. The island is completely dependent on tourism. The island has seven resorts which are built on small islands surrounding the lagoons. These resorts offer luxurious services at par with anywhere in the world. You could also find spacious over-the-water bungalows which offer a dazzling view of the mountains and lagoons.

At Bora Bora you could engage yourself with naval activities, the most famous being the Shark and Ray feeding excursion. You could also try Snorkeling and scuba diving. There are also land excursions up the hills to get a bird’s-eye view of the multicolored lagoon.

Huahine

Huahine is 162 kms north-west of Papeete and it takes 40 minutes to reach there by plane. This island has a surprising appearance built up from two volcanic masses formed into mountains, connected by a bridge. The two mountains Turi and Pu Huerei overlook its archaeological outdoor museum and its beautiful lagoons. Coral reefs along the several emerged small islands of Huahine will certainly satisfy you.

Another famous attraction on Huahine is the bridge that crosses over a stream with 3 to 6 foot long eels. These eels are deemed sacred by the locals. At Huahine you will also find a very good hotel and bungalows on its white sand beaches. On the southern coast of the island, there’s another superb hotel. Here you can take a bath, a sunbath or take a dive in the pool.

Raiatea & Tahaa

Somewhat smaller than Tahiti, Raiatea is the second largest amongst all the Islands. Tahaa is slightly smaller and less populated than Raiatea. Tahaa offers a wonderful lagoon which is rich in sea-life and for water sports activities like yachting, windsurfing, scubadiving. These two islands are some of the French Polynesia’s undiscovered treasurers. These two fascinating islands offer a vacationer the experience of a true and perfect French Polynesia holiday.

Raiatea means bright sky. The chief town on Raiatea is Uturoa. The islands of Raiatea and Tahaa are both connected by the same coral reef, and may have once been a single island.

The Islands of Raiatea and Tahaa hold a lot of fascinating history and myth as well as Tahiti’s most significant archeological sites. Both Islands are also flooded with Pearl farms which are known for their superb quality, high artistic appeal, and value.

Spread over an area approximately the same size as Europe, the island in the French Polynesia (also known as Tahiti) is a photographer’s delight as much as they are for visitors looking for a break from the usual travel destinations. This beautiful collection of 118 islands scattered like gleaming jewels over the azure blue sea invite you to visit them and take back memories for a lifetime.

Here are the top 5 must-see destinations in the French Polynesia:

1) Tahiti – The largest of the 118 island chain, Tahiti is a lush green island with mountainous heights of 7,353 ft., disappearing in the clouds. Deep green valleys covered with rainforests and ferns, with waterfalls and serene rivers leading into the flat coastal land, fields of taro and flowers and pristine white sand beaches, welcome you to nature’s paradise. Take a walk along the tree-lined waterfront promenade in Papeete or just go out on the street to taste freshly made sea food from any of the licensed food trucks, popularly called “roulettes”. For those who are more interested in adventure sports, you can dive in the air with a hand glider and see the panoramic beauty of Tahiti from air.

2) Bora-Bora – Also known as the island of dreams, Bora Bora is unquestionably the most mythical of all the islands in the French Polynesia. As seen from the air, Bora Bora has been described as “a tiny emerald in a setting of turquoise, encircled by a sheltering necklace of sparkling pearls” Honeymooners and lovers from all over the world visit this island to soak in the beauty of Mount Otemanu, as it stands proud, piercing the sky. Stunning tropical slopes and valleys with blooming hibiscus and palm-covered motu, encircle the lagoon like a delicate diamond necklace. Virgin white sand beaches, pave way for emerald waters where the wonders of rainbow colored fish inhabit the coral gardens. With plenty of activities like snorkeling and scuba diving and trips all around the lagoon, this is a true delight for nature lovers.

3) Moorea – Less than 10 minutes by air from the main island of Tahiti, Moorea is home to white sand beaches and spectacular bays. Striking volcanic peaks, reflecting in the calm Cook’s Bay and Oponohu Bay rise towering from the base of this basaltic island. With mountain slopes covered with rainforest and several pineapple plantations, and white sand beaches bordering on crystalline lagoons, Moorea is home to a host of flora and fauna. While you can go out in the sea on a whale or a dolphin view, a highly recommended place to visit is the Belvedere Lookout, arguably the most spectacular lookout in the world. Located between Cook’s and Oponohu Bay in the lush interior of the island, the Belvedere offers a stunning view of the ocean beyond. While you’re on your way to discovering the island, don’t forget to buy a few black pearls from many of the infamous pearl shops here.

4) Huahine – Visible from the islands of Bora Bora, this delightful island is located some 110 miles northwest of Tahiti. Consisting of two islands – Huahine Nu and Huahine Iti, this island is held together with a narrow isthmus and is protected with a coral reef. The entire island is covered with lush green rainforests and tall trees adding to its natural character. Watermelon and Cantaloupes grow in abandon on the barrier reef as the inhabitants live in small colorful settlements. The lagoon which is bordered by an expanse of white sand has an extensive undersea life. Huahine is perfect for all those looking to discover a destination at their leisure and reveling in nature’s beauty.

5) Raiataa & Tahaa – Sharing a common lagoon amongst themselves, the islands of Raiataa & Tahaa produce almost 80% of all vanilla in the French Polynesia. Tahaa is an ideal escape from the 20th century. Discover the beauty of the coral reef and its multi colored lagoon, or enjoy a picnic in a deserted motu or just go hiking in the mountains as the vanilla plantations surround you. And if it’s mysteries that attract you, go on a nature hunt to learn about mythical orchids. With only a handful of guest houses and two hotels, Tahaa is a destinations till untouched by commercialism. Discovered by the Polynesian explorers, Raiatea was originally known as Havai. Secondly only to Tahiti in terms of its size, this island is a delightful sister island of Tahaa. As one of the top locations for sailing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing in the world, this island is also the main trading center of the leeward island.