Tahiti and French Polynesia Travel Guide

Sitting in the middle of the blue Pacific Ocean almost exactly halfway between Australia and South America are the beautiful islands of French Polynesia, and perhaps the most famous island of them all - Tahiti. French Polynesia is comprised of five island groups being the Society, Marquesas, Tubuai and Gambier islands and the Tuamotu archipelago. Tahiti is located within the Society Islands and is the largest island of all and is home to more than half the population of French Polynesia.

Blue, blue, white, green, white, blue, blue. This is a birds eye view of every island you'll come across and when you're sure you've seen the most beautiful place in the world you'll discover something even more beautiful just across the waves.

Polynesian tribes first settled in the Marquesas islands in the fourth century AD and spread to the Society Islands in the ninth century. The first recorded sighting by Europeans was by the famous Portuguese captain and explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. The islands became an official French protectorate in 1889. They escaped most of the ravages of World War Two although many Polynesians served in the armed forces and following the war the local inhabitants were granted French citizenship. The islands became known officially as French Polynesia (Polynésie Française) in 1957. Over the ensuing decades French Polynesia has gained more autonomy however it still remains an overseas French territory to this day.

The islands have become famous around the world for the incredible beauty and diversity of the natural surroundings. There are islands where towering tree-covered mountains thrust into the sky and others that are barely above sea level. There are miles of palm fringed beaches and tiny atolls that take only minutes to walk around. There are the famous honeymoon islands of Bora Bora and Tahiti where your every whim is catered for. There are islands perfect for scuba diving and others with a world class beach break attracting surfers from all over. But no matter where you go in French Polynesia a stunning white beach, sparkling blue water, and the dazzling smiles of the locals won’t be far away.