Tahiti and the Society Islands

A destination on many a bucket list are the islands of the South Pacific.  The Cook Islands, Fiji, Tahiti - all ultimate dream vacations of a lifetime.    Beautiful islands, crystal blue waters, above and below water adventures, relaxation, and of course romance! 

I have been fortunate to visit Tahiti, and I must admit,  it truly is a dreamy place.  All that and then some!

Beyond the sheer beauty of the islands, here are some fun facts about Tahiti:

• Tahiti is in the same time zone as Hawaii
• The flight from Los Angeles is approximately 8 hours, a short 2 hours longer than flying to Hawaii
• Tahiti is half way between Los Angeles and Australia
• Tahiti is as far south of the equator as Hawaii is north
• Tahiti is consistently averages 80 degrees all year round
• Tahiti gets as many tourists in one year as Hawaii gets in 1 week
• Tahiti has fewer total hotel rooms than Las Vegas' MGM Grand (just over 5000 guest rooms)

The romantic island of Bora Bora is by far Tahiti's most famous and popular island for visitors.  With its beautiful blue lagoons, white sands, over water bungalows and plenty of privacy.  Many honeymoons and milestone dates are celebrated here!
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There are a number of other destinations, though, one can explore beyond Bora Bora. 

​In fact, Tahiti consists of five archipelagos, an area with 118 islands covering over 2 
million square miles, almost the same size as western Europe (mostly water).  The most popular of the 5 archipelagos are the Society Islands, which includes Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a.  

Photo courtesy of Tahiti tourism

Tahiti, the "Queen of the Pacific", is home to Tahiti's capital Papeete and is the largest island in French Polynesia. All vacations start and end in Papeete as it is home to Tahiti's international airport.  While most people will go on to other islands or embark on a cruise, it is highly suggested to stay in Tahiti for 1-2 days to explore the many sites Tahiti has to offer, including the 155 year old public market Le Marche, the many museums including The Museum of Tahiti, Paul Gauguin and Pearl and the parks and gardens.

Photo courtesy of Paul Gauguin

Moorea, the "Magical Island", is a short flight or 30 minute ferry ride from Tahiti.   This island is very popular with honeymooners, families and even locals, and is only second to Bora Bora as a top honeymoon destination.  Moorea is one of the best islands for activity and adventure both on land and on water.                                       

Huahine, the "Garden of Eden", is a 40 minute flight from Tahiti.  Huahine is relatively untouched by the modern world and is considered to be Tahiti's best kept secret.  The island is a large tropical jungle with coconut plantations, banana groves, vanilla orchids and more.  Popular with visitors who have been to Bora Bora and Moorea, it offers a very authentic feel.  

Raiatea, the "Sacred Island" is rich with culture and history.  Believed to be the birthplace of Polynesia, legend has it that this where the colonization of Hawaii and New Zealand started from.  Raiatea is the second largest island, behind Tahiti, and is approximately 45 minutes from Tahiti by air.   It is one of the best islands for scuba diving, deep sea fishing and sailing.  Despite its size, the island only has two hotels and a few guest houses.  

Taha'a, the "Vanilla Island" boasts a full 80% of all Tahiti's vanilla production.  Taha'a can only be reached by water taxi from nearby Raiatea.  The scenery here is spectacular, which makes hiking and jeep tours quite popular.  Water sports, especially snorkeling, are also popular.  Taha'a is often paired with a Bora Bora visit - or even replaces Bora Bora.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourism

Tahiti is a most wonderful place to visit, whether you choose to stay on one island, multiple islands or explore the area by a cruise.  Each island offers something unique, all worth exploring. Perfect for honeymoons, anniversary celebrations, family vacations or just because.   

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