French Polynesia Tourism Office

 
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FAQ

  • - Inboud operators
  • - Practical information
      What is the time difference ?
      Tahiti and her Islands are 10 hours different from GMT. This is a 12-hour summertime or 11 hour wintertime difference from Paris, 2 hour different from the United States Pacific Coast, 6 hour from Santiago de Chile, 19 hour from Tokyo and Sydney and 22 hour different from Auckland.

      What to pack ?
      Bring summer clothes, beachwear, sports wear and boat wear,
      all preferably in cotton.
      Have something warm available for the evenings which are sometimes
      cooler (lagoon side, boat trips and in the mountains). Footwear: sandals,
      sneakers, boat shoes.
      Essential: swimming costumes, sunglasses, hat, sunblock creams (intense
      reflection of the lagoons) and a powerful
      anti-mosquito lotion (useful in the islands in certain seasons).

      Currency exchange / Buy ratest
      Foreign exchange rates as at 02.10.2007
      1 Euro = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119,33 F.CFP
      1 £ = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 F.CFP
      1 US $ = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 F.CFP
      1 NZ $ = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,80 F.CFP
      1 AU $ = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71,70 F.CFP
      1 CAN $ = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 F.CFP
      100 Yen = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 F.CFP

      Water and electricity
      Tap water in Papeete and Bora Bora is safe to drink; enquire locally on
      the other islands. If in doubt, use mineral water in sealed bottles.

      Electricity: 110 or 220 volts (60Hz) depending on the island and type of
      accommodation. Check before plugging in.

  • - Tahiti and her Islands online
  • - How to travel from one island to another?
      By plane
      Regulars flights
      Air Tahiti operates regular flights between 46 islands out of Tahiti. Also Air Moorea operates a shuttle service between Papeete and Moorea every 30 minutes to 1 hour (10 minute flight time). The maximum load authorized on board is 20 kg for passengers connecting from international flights (+ 5 kg allowance for divers).
      Charter flights on request :
      Air Archipels, Air Tahiti.

      The regular airline companies
      Air Moorea
      Tahiti-Faa'a International Airport / Temae Airport
      Mr. Freddy CHANSEAU
      B.P. 6019 - 98702 Faa'a - Tahiti
      Tel. Rés. : (689) 86.41.41 / Dir. : (689) 86.41.00
      Fax Rés. : (689) 86.42.99 / Fax Dir. : (689) 86.42.69
      reservation@airmoorea.pf / direction@airmoorea.pf
      www.airmoorea.com
      Air Tahiti
      Tahiti-Faa'a International Airport
      Mr. Christian VERNAUDON
      B.P. 314 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti
      Tel.: Group Sales (689) 86.40.23 / Res.: (689) 86.42.42
      Dir.: Sales Manager (689) 86.40.12 / Fax Res.: (689) 86.40.99
      Fax Dir.: Sales Manager (689) 86.40.69
      group@airtahiti.pf / reservation@airtahiti.pf / direction.commerciale@airtahiti.pf
      www.airtahiti.aero
      Air Tahiti flies to 47 islands in French Polynesia with a fleet of
      9 ATR aircraft (48-seat ATR 42 and 66-seat ATR 72), 1 19-seat Twin-Otter
      (owned by French Polynesia) and 1 8-seat Beechcraft chartered
      to Air Archipels.

      The charter flights
      Air Archipels
      Tahiti-Faa'a International Airport
      Mr. Freddy CHANSEAU
      B.P. 6019 - 98702 Faa'a - Tahiti
      Tel. Res.: (689) 81.30.30 / Fax: (689) 86.42.99
      reservation@airarchipels.pf
      www.airarchipels.com

      Air Archipels offers private day flights as well as night flights to all of the islands of French Polynesia upon request. Air Archipels operates these high comfort flights with Beechcraft Super King B200's equipped with 7 VIP seats. 3 new airplanes were added in June 2006.
      Air Tahiti
      Airline From Routing Time Flight
      Aircalin Nouméa 1/Semaine 05h40
      Air France Paris
      Los Angeles      		 4/Semaine
      4/Semaine      		 21h10
      08h10
      Air New Zealand Londres
      Los Angeles
      Auckland      		 3/Semaine
      4/Semaine
      4/Semaine
      		 21h50
      08h10
      05h30
      Air Tahiti Nui Paris
      Los Angeles
      New York
      Sydney
      Auckland
      Tokyo
      Osaka

      		 6/Semaine
      13/Semaine
      2/Semaine
      2/Semaine
      2/Semaine
      3/Semaine
      1/Semaine
      		 20h55
      08h30
      13h00
      06h50
      05h00
      11h35
      11h40
      Hawaiian Airlines Honolulu 1/Semaine 05h30
      Lan Airlines Santiago du Chili
      Île de Pâques      		 2/Semaine
      2/Semaine      		 11h00
      05h30
      Air Tahiti Rarotonga 1 à 2/Semaine 02h40


      Hélicoptere services
      Polynésia hélicopteres
      Tahiti-Faa'a International Airport
      Mr. Marc KOSKA
      B.P. 424 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti
      Tel.: (689) 54.87.20 / 82.67.00 / Fax: (689) 54.87.21 / GSM: (689) 78.65.05
      helico-tahiti@mail.pf / compta-helico@mail.pf
      www.polynesia-helicopter.com


      By boats
      Catamarans and ferry boats cross between Tahiti and Moorea several
      times a day :

      Aremiti 5
      Mr. Eugène DEGAGE - B.P. 9254 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti
      Tel.: Papeete (689) 50.57.57 / Moorea (689) 56.31.10
      Fax: Papeete (689) 50.57.58 / Moorea (689) 56.31.10
      aremiticruise@mail.pf

      Catamaran rapide avec stabilisateurs.
      Fréquence : 6 voyages par jour de Lundi à Jeudi, 7 voyages le Vendredi, 6 voyages le Samedi et 5 le Dimanche.
      Capacité : maximum 630 passagers et 30 véhicules légers. Vitesse de croisière : 35 noeuds.
      Durée du voyage : 30 min (quai à quai). Transporteur de fret, passagers et véhicules. Snack-bar et salle vidéo à bord

      Aremiti Ferry
      AREMITI FERRY
      Gallieni quay, Papeete
      Mr. Tuanua DEGAGE - B.P. 9254 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti
      Tel.: Papeete (689) 50.57.57 / Moorea (689) 56.31.10
      Fax: Papeete (689) 50.57.58 / Moorea (689) 56.43.24
      aremiticruise@mail.pf

      272 ft catamaran/Maximum capacity: 500 passengers.
      Cruising speed: 18 knots. Crossing time / Papeete to Vaiare: 45 min to 1h
      (wharf to wharf). Transportation of passengers and vehicles. Snack-bar
      on board. Moorea office opens 30 min before each departure.

      Moorea Express
      Quai des ferries, Vaiare
      Messieurs Roland et Johnny PASQUIER - B.P. 635 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti
      Tél. Papeete : (689) 50.11.11 / Moorea : (689) 56.43.43
      Fax. Papeete : (689) 42.10.49 / Moorea : (689) 56.43.43
      reservation@mooreaferry.pf / direction@mooreaferry.pf
      www.mooreaferry.pf

      Catamaran rapide de 136". Capacité maximum : 306 passagers.
      Vitesse de croisière : 32 noeuds.
      Durée du voyage : 30min (quai à quai). Fréquence : 12 voyages/jour
      Transport de passagers, de fret, de vélos et scooters.
      Snack-bar, salon climatisé, sun-deck

      Moorea Ferry
      Ferry quay, Vaiare
      Sirs Roland & Johnny PAQUIER - B.P. 635 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti
      Tel.: Papeete (689) 50.11.11 / Moorea (689) 56.43.43
      Fax: Papeete (689) 42.10.49 / Moorea (689) 56.43.43
      reservation@mooreaferry.pf / direction@mooreaferry.pf
      www.mooreaferry.pf

      Speed catamaran of 136 ft/Maximum capacity: 306 passengers.
      Cruising speed: 32 knots. Crossing time/Papeete to Vaiare: 30 min
      (wharf to wharf).
      Frequency: 12 voyages per day.
      Transportation of passengers, bicycles, scooters and freight.
      Snack-bar, air conditioned living room on board, sundeck.

  • - How to get around on the islands

      On the island of Tahiti, modern buses and taxis are available for those who don't have a car. A car, a four-wheel drive vehicle or even a scooter can be rented in one of the numerous agencies. In the Society Archipelago, "trucks" (picturesque buses with wooden passenger cabins) serve the different towns. Finally, depending on the island you're on, if you want to discover our hidden paradises you can always go out for a ride on a bike or on a horse! On some islands, taxi boats for lagoon transfers are also available to go to "motu" (islets) where you can find accomodation (like in the Tuamotu) or to the airport (like on Bora Bora).

      Tourist land carriers



      Tahiti

      17 SOUTH TRANSPORTATION (17ST)

      B.P. 2121 - 98703 Punaauia - Tahiti
      Tel.: (689) 85.40.56 / Fax: (689) 85.40.56
      GSM: Véronique (689) 78.86.32 / Pascal (689) 77.56.60
      17st@mail.pf / verofredo@mail.pf

      GREG TAXI

      B.P. 330052 - 98711 Paea - Tahiti
      Tel. : (689) 42.27.09 / Fax : (689) 42.27.09 / GSM : (689) 77.65.10
      catgregtours@mail.pf

      KAKU TRANSPORT

      B.P. 21239 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti
      Fax : (689) 58.37.13 / GSM : (689) 79.33.95
      inquiry@kakutransport.com / kaku_transport@yahoo.fr / kaku@mail.pf
      www.kakutransport.com

      MAHANA TOURS

      B.P. 13831 - 98717 Moana Nui Punaauia - Tahiti
      Tél. : (689) 45.36.90 / Fax : (689) 45.36.90 / GSM : (689) 78.08.82
      carpentier.r@mail.pf

      MARAMA TRANSPORTS TOURISTIQUES

      B.P. 6266 - 98702 Faa'a - Tahiti
      Tel. : (689) 50.74.74 / Fax : (689) 82.16.75
      maramatours@mail.pf / www.maramatours.com

      NATIVE TAHITI TOURS

      98702 Faa'a - Tahiti
      Tel. : (689) 81.29.29 / Fax : (689) 81.29.29 / GSM : (689) 71.16.52
      tapuarii@mac.com

      PARADISE TOURS

      B.P. 2430 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti
      Tel. : (689) 42.49.36 / 45.48.32 / Fax : (689) 42.48.62
      paradise@mail.pf / www.paradisetourstahiti.com

      SARL FIFI TRANSPORT

      B.P. 1588 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti
      Tel. : (689) 80.35.08 / Fax : (689) 80.35.01 / 80.35.13 / GSM : (689) 77.18.38
      transport@spt-tahiti.pf / askfifi@mail.pf / www.south-pacific-tours.com

      SOUTH PACIFIC TOURS

      B.P. 1588 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti
      Tel. : (689) 80.35.00 / Fax : (689) 80.35.12
      resa-see1@spt-tahiti.pf

      TAHITI HOLIDAYS

      B.P. 371 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti
      Tel. : (689) 50.46.50 / Fax : (689) 50.46.54
      reservations@tahiti-holidays.pf / www.tahiti-holidays.pf

      TAHITI NUI TRAVEL

      B.P. 718 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti -
      Tel. : (689) 46.41.41 / Fax : (689) 46.41.30
      marketing@tahitinuitravel.pf / www.tahitinuitravel.biz

      TAHITI TOURS TRANSPORTS

      B.P. 627 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti -
      Tel. : (689) 46.40.46 / Fax : (689) 42.50.50
      sales@tahititours.pf / www.tahiti-tours.com

      TAIARAPU TRANSPORTS

      B.P. 7641 - 98719 Taravao - Tahiti
      Tél. : (689) 54.81.81 / Fax : (689) 54.81.80 / GSM : (689) 77.03.37
      willy@ntce.pf / mederic@ntce.pf

      TANIA TAHITI TRANSPORTS

      B.P. 6266 - 98702 Faa'a - Tahiti
      Fax : (689) 82.16.75 / GSM : (689) 77.56.10
      tania.maramatrs@mail.pf

      TRANSPOLYNESIE

      B.P. 718 - 98713 Papeete - Tahiti
      Tel. : (689) 45.58.75 / Fax : (689) 41.27.00
      transpolynesie@mail.pf

      VIP FIFI TRANSPORT

      B.P. 13211 - 98718 Tamanu Punaauia - Tahiti
      Tel. : (689) 85.40.52 / GSM : (689) 77.18.38



      Moorea

      Albert transport

      B.P. 440 - 98728 Maharepa - Moorea
      Tel. : (689) 55.21.10 / 55.21.11 / Fax : (689) 56.40.58 / GSM : (689) 77.47.21
      info@albert-transport.net / reservations@albert-transport.net
      ftino@albert-transport.net / sclarita@albert-transport.net
      www.albert-transport.net

      M. SALVATORE MURA

      B.P. 1314 - 98729 Papetoai - Moorea
      Tel. : (689) 56.18.92 / Fax : (689) 56.18.92
      salmura@yahoo.fr

      MOOREA TRANSPORT

      B.P. 3104 - 98728 Temae - Moorea
      Tel. : (689) 56.12.86 / 56.16.17 / 56.31.03 / Fax : (689) 56.25.52 GSM : (689) 78.70.72
      moorea.explorer@mail.pf / www.mooreatransport.com

      TIARE MOOREA TRANSPORT

      B.P. 3031 - 98728 Temae - Moorea
      Tel. : (689) 56.11.48 / Fax : (689) 56.11.48
      GSM : (689) 77.57.51 / 28.18.25



      Raiatea

      M. KISA AH SIN

      B.P. 1165 - 98735 Uturoa - Raiatea
      GSM : (689) 79.26.06



      Tahaa


      HEIATA SERVICE TOURS

      B.P. 102 - 98734 Haamene - Tahaa
      Tel. : (689) 65.60.91 / Fax : (689) 65.60.91 / GSM : (689) 70.45.81



      Bora bora


      BORA BORA SAFARI LAND

      B.P. 267 - 98730 Vaitape - Bora Bora
      Tel. : (689) 67.71.32 / Fax : (689) 67.71.32 / GSM : (689) 22.60.08

      DINO'S TOURS

      B.P. 82 - 98730 Vaitape - Bora Bora
      Tel. : (689) 67.74.70 / Fax : (689) 67.57.40 / GSM : (689) 79.29.65
      dexterdino@yahoo.fr

      M. WILBERT ATANI

      98730 Vaitape - Bora Bora
      Tel. : (689) 67.72.59 / GSM : (689) 71.27.53

      VIP SERVICES BORA BORA

      B.P. 779 - 98730 Vaitape - Bora Bora
      Tel. : (689) 67.78.77 / Fax : (689) 67.78.77
      GSM : Célestin (689) 79.19.18 / Repeta (689) 70.04.48
      celestinvipservices@mail.pf

      Rangiroa

      GIROUX RANGIROA SERVICES

      B.P. 116 - 98775 Avatoru - Rangiroa
      Tel. : (689) 96.04.96 / Fax : (689) 96.04.96 / GSM : (689) 79.24.79
      rangicanar@hotmail.com

      Fakarava

      M. JOACHIM DARIEL

      B.P. 121 - 98763 Rotoava - Fakarava
      Tel. : (689) 93.40.15 / Fax : (689) 93.40.16 / GSM : (689) 74.16.16
      havaiki@mail.pf / www.havaiki.com

      Nuku Hiva

      M. THOMAS MAHINA TATA

      B.P. 3 - 98742 Taiohae - Nuku Hiva
      GSM : (689) 21.36.59

      M. VENANCE MAHIATAPU

      B.P. 597 - 98742 Taiohae - Nuku Hiva
      Tel. : (689) 92.08.13 / Fax : (689) 92.00.97 / GSM : (689) 71.35.57

      MME CHRISTIANE TEREINO

      B.P. 419 - 98742 Taiohae - Nuku Hiva
      Tél. : (689) 92.06.39 / Fax : (689) 92.06.39 / GSM : (689) 73.75.83

      MME PHILOMENE PAHUATINI

      B.P. 165 - 98742 Taiohae - Nuku Hiva
      Tel. : (689) 92.07.95 / Fax : (689) 92.07.95 / GSM : (689) 72.86.67

      MME YVETTE TEHUITUA

      B.P. 249 - 98742 Taiohae - Nuku Hiva
      GSM : (689) 28.67.15

      Hiva Oa

      M. JEAN-MAX KAIMUKO

      B.P. 176 - 98741 Atuona - Hiva Oa
      Tel. : (689) 92.72.87 / Fax : (689) 92.72.87
      kmk@mail.pf

      MME FRIDA PETERANO

      Tel. : (689) 92.79.66

      MME JEANDALLE KUAFEAU POEVAI

      98741 Atuona - Hiva Oa
      GSM : (689) 76.72.89

  • - Air Tahiti program

      Air Tahiti's extensive schedule comprises up to 200 flights per week (number of departures from Tahiti), to 47 islands, performed with a fleet of turboprops: 4 ATR 42 (48 seats) and 5 ATR 72 (66 seats).

      Air Tahiti's flight schedule can be downloaded from:
      www.airtahiti.aero

      The Air Tahiti schedule booklet can be requested from your Tahiti Tourism representative.

      Air Tahiti follows the two iata seasons

      Summer schedule from April 1st to October 31st.
      Winter schedule from November 1st to March 31st.
      Air Tahiti can thus take into account the international flight schedules, which follow this same IATA season pattern.
      The schedule is published and distributed approximately one month before its start date.
      Flights displayed in the reservation systems for dates that are well after the current schedule are subject to change, but most of the dates
      booked in anticipation remain valid.
      The following information is a “must know” for travel professionnals, and will give guidance on how to build roundtrips between Tahiti and
      the various islands that possess international hotels.

      Leeward islands flights

      PPTHUH/HUHPPT/PPTRFP/RFPPPT/PPTBOB/BOBPPT :Several times a day (up to 11 flights for PPTBOB), with, as a minimum pattern: one early morning flight, one mid-morning, and one late afternoon.

      MOZBOB : Three times daily minimum.

      BOBMOZ : Daily.

      MOZHUH, HUHMOZ : Daily.

      MOZRFP :Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday and Sunday.
      Otherwise you can easily travel MOZPPT (using one of the numerous frequencies of Air Moorea) + PPTRFP: there is no RFPMOZ but the combinations RFPPPT/PPTMOZ are easy.

      BOBHUH, HUHBOB : Daily, with 2 flights/day to BOBHUH on Tuesday,
      Thursday, Friday and up to 3 flights/day to HUHBOB.

      BOBRFP : Daily except the Tuesday.

      RFPBOB : Daily.

      HUHRFP : Daily.

      RFPHUH : Daily except the Sunday.

      PPTMAU/MAUPPT : Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday.

      RFPMAU, MAURFP : Tuesday/Friday/Sunday.

      Tuamotu

      PPTRGI/RGIPPT :Several daily flights, with some days the possibility of a
      day-tour.

      PPTXMH/XMHPPT : Daily with 3 flights/day (Sunday).

      RGIXMH : Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday.

      XMHRGI : Tuesday/Saturday/Sunday.

      PPTTIH/TIHPPT : Daily.

      RGITIH : Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday.

      TIHRGI : Daily except the Sunday.

      PPTFAV/FAVPPT : Daily.

      RGIFAV : Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday.

      FAVRGI : Monday and Saturday.

      TIHXMH : Monday and Wednesday.

      Go directly from the leeward islands to the tuamotu

      Monday : BOBRGI, BOBTIH et BOBXMH.

      Tuesday : BOBRGI, BOBFAV et BOBXMH.

      Wednesday : BOBRGI, BOBFAV, BOBTIH et BOBXMH.

      Thursday : BOBRGI et BOBTIH.

      Friday : BOBRGI, BOBTIH et BOBXMH.

      Samedi : BOBRGI, BOBFAV, BOBTIH et BOBXMH.

      Sunday : BOBRGI, BOBTIH et BOBXMH.

      Marquesas

      PPTNHV, NHVPPT : Daily (2 flights on Friday).

      PPTAUQ : Daily except the Wednesday; 2 flights on Thursday.

      AUQPPT : Daily (2 flights on Thursday and Saturday).

      PPTUAH, UAHPPT : Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday.

      PPTUAP, UAPPPT : Daily except the Monday.

      NHVAUQ : Daily except the Monday.

      AUQNHV : Daily.

      NHVUAH, UAHNHV : Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday.

      NHVUAP : Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday.

      UAPNHV : Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday.

      AUQUAH, UAHAUQ : Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday.

      AUQUAP, UAPAUQ : Daily except the Monday.

      UAHUAP, UAPUAH :Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday.

      On Saturdays, RGINHV trip available by flight VT850, then possible
      connection to AUQ by Twin Otter.

      This option can be used within the Pass Bora-Tuamotu + Marquesas
      extension.

      Australs

      PPTRUR, RURPPT : Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday.

      PPTTUB, TUBPPT : Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday.

      PPTRMT, RMTPPT : Monday/Wednesday/Friday.

      PPTRVV, RVVPPT : Monday/Wednesday/Friday.

      Several inter-islands possibilities.

  • - Tahiti and her Islands at a glance

      IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC

      Tahiti and her Islands are located approximately 17100 km from Metropolitan France. These islands cover a huge ocean surface of some 4 million square kilometers, which is the same area as Europe. The island of Tahiti in the Society Islands group, is 17° 32 S and 149° 34 W, situated half way between California (6200 km) and Australia (5700 km). Tahiti is 8800 km from Tokyo and 7500 km from Santiago, Chile.

      118 ISLANDS IN 5 ARCHIPELAGOES

      Tahiti's 118 fabulous islands are scattered across five far-flung archipelagoes, each with their own particular character and whose inhabitants have adapted the ancient rhythms of the ocean and the sun to the 21st century. The Society Islands (made up of the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands), is a group of high tropical islands encircled by coral reefs and lagoons. The main one of which is Tahiti, the largest of the Polynesian islands, with Papeete as its administrative capital. Tahiti is composed of two majestic volcanic mountain ranges topped by clouds. Their highest points being Mount Orohena (more than 2000 feet) on Tahiti Nui and Mount Mairenui (around 1300 feet) the smaller volcano, in the heart of Tahiti Iti, Tahiti's peninsula. The two islands are linked by the isthmus of Taravao.

      The Society islands: this group also includes the famous islands of Moorea, the magical island, separated from her sister island Tahiti by only a 17 km channel, Huahine, the garden of Eden, a wild island situated 175 km Northwest of Tahiti which still maintains a very lively, traditional culture, Raiatea and Tahaa, two sacred islands with lush vegetation, enclosed in the same lagoon and offering perfect sailing conditions, famous Bora Bora, the romantic island with her breathtaking lagoon and beaches fringed with coconut trees, and finally Maupiti, the forgotten island, nestled in a jade lagoon, the smallest, and the most authentic island of the archipelago.

      The Tuamotu group is a collection of low islands or atolls. A very special world, situated between sky and sea. Each island encircles its own lagoon with a ring of coral and beneath the crystal-clear waters of each are spectacular underwater gardens and fish of every imaginable size, shape and color. It rarely rains and is a perfect environment for pearl farming. Rangiroa, Tikehau, Manihi, Fakarava are the most frequently visited atolls and provide classified hotel accomodation.

      The Marquesas “Enua Enana” or “Land of Men”, are a group of high islands near the equator, 1500 km away from Tahiti, whose steep mountains are inhabited by wild horses, goats and pigs. The most well-known are Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Pou and Ua Huka which offer the tourist, among many other points of interest, a magnificent arboretum.

      The Austral Archipelago, situated far to the south, is also made up of high islands: Rurutu, Tubuai, Rimatara, Raivavae and Rapa. Last inhabited islands of the South Pacific, these ancient volcanoes with soft relief are far off the beaten track. With their “marae”, ancient sacred places, and majestic centuries old stone “tiki”, these mysterious islands still have not revealed all of their secrets. There are a variety of tropical plants and plants from temperate regions also. This environment is favorable for farming, and the Australs provide the other islands with many different vegetables. A special attraction on the Austral Islands occurs every year from June to October when the whales meet in the warm, shallow waters.