In Tahiti, you will find many attractions:
The magnificent Papeete market selling traditional local souvenirs, flowers, fruits, seafood and much more. The market is of great interest to photography enthusiasts. The stalls are replete with bright bouquets of orchids and other tropical plants. Artisans offer pareos, taifai, mother-of-pearl trinkets and other original products. Here you can see fruits and vegetables, the existence of which you did not even suspect.
The Paul Gauguin Museum is a collection of personal belongings and reproductions of the most famous paintings, reflecting the life of this great artist in paintings, letters, memoirs.
According to Handbagpicks, the Botanical Garden is a natural reserve with the rarest specimens of the Polynesian flora.
The Museum of Tahiti and its Islands tells about the history of Polynesia, about world-famous sailors who conquered the Pacific Ocean on fragile boats.
Black Pearl Museum, where you will be told about its history, production technique, its mythological, philosophical and religious significance. You will learn about quality criteria that will allow you to judge for yourself the value of a pearl. Here you can also buy unique jewelry from the private collection of Robert Wang, the king of black pearls.
Papeete City Hall is a copy of the palace of the great Queen Pomare IV, who ruled Tahiti at the end of the 19th century. Religion occupies an important place in the life of Polynesian society. Of particular interest are the Poafai Temple, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Chinese Mamao Temple.
Garden of exotic flowers and plants of Mataoa.
Cruises
There is no better way to discover the diversity of Polynesian islands than on a cruise.
We offer you the perfect opportunity to cruise aboard a luxury liner specially built for sailing in Polynesian waters, a unique design that is equally comfortable for sailing in ocean waters and entering small picturesque lagoons. A special platform lowered from the stern allows you to enjoy a variety of water activities
The ship can take on board only 318 passengers. Spacious cabins with ocean views have verandas, balconies that allow you to enjoy magnificent views of tropical islands and lagoons.
Excellent service is guaranteed: the ship has 2 crew members for 3 passengers.
Gourmet French cuisine is served at the two restaurants L’Etoile and La Veranda. The ship also has a casino, a dance floor, a nightclub, a piano bar, a swimming pool, a Carita beauty center, and a gym.
Diving
Polynesian waters are known for the diversity of the underwater world. Here you can find a wide variety of fish – from small butterflies to large fish such as Napoleon, stingray, reef shark, tuna, barracuda and pike. French Polynesia is one of the rare places where you can see all this beauty up close. Don’t forget to bring your underwater camera.
Polynesian sharks are not as aggressive as they are in other parts of the world. They can be approached within a short distance. However, you cannot hunt fish that have a shark swimming next to them.
The best islands for scuba diving are the atolls of the Tuamotu archipelago: Rangiroa and Manihi. But diving is also possible in Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti.
Visibility reaches 130 feet. The average temperature in the ocean is 26° – 29°. Temperature fluctuations from the surface to 166 feet (50m) depth are not significant. A 3mm diving suit, or even a lycra suit will suffice to make you feel comfortable.
Where can you go scuba diving?
There are three possibilities:
– You can swim in the lagoon – this is a real natural pool in places with shallows, a great place for beginners or for those who want to “hone” their swimming technique.
– Dive in the ocean, where you can meet all kinds of colorful corals and fish, including predatory ones.
– Diving in the straits connecting the lagoon and the ocean, known for the concentration of all kinds of fish, huge rays and sharks
How deep can you dive?
In most cases, diving is done at a depth of 18 to 24 meters. But professionals can descend to a depth of 30 to 42 meters. Some diving centers organize such dives, but they are of course only suitable for very experienced divers.
Polynesia is an ideal place for scuba diving, for both professionals and beginners.
If you are a beginner, then caring instructors will tell you in detail about diving and swimming techniques and will hold your hand in the water until you feel so comfortable that your attention will be completely occupied only by the dance of colorful fish, corals and your own beautiful mood.
Well, those who have been diving for a long time, do not forget to take all your certificates. The Tahitians strictly observe safety rules and the law determines the permissible depth of diving, depending on the presence of one degree or another. If you forget to take the appropriate certificates, then you will literally have to go through everything all over again, even if you are a professional. In addition to the certificate, you will need to provide a diary in which your last dives are recorded.
You can bring equipment with you, but this is not at all necessary, because the diving centers have very reliable equipment that is periodically tested.
Polynesian picnic
What could be more interesting than a picnic on a small desert island? You will be taken to it by boat or boat. Freshly caught fish will be cooked over a campfire in your presence, while an exquisite Polynesian lunch will be served on the beach on palm leaves.
The rich nature has rewarded these lands with an abundance of the most unusual fruits – the legendary breadfruit, a dozen varieties of bananas, of which the fei variety is especially famous, various root crops taro, tarua and ufi form the basis of the island cuisine. Papaya, mango, pineapples, grapefruits, green lemons, dressed with a pinch of vanilla – and an excellent fruit salad is ready!
What can we say about “raw fish in Tahitian style”? Marinated tuna in coconut milk with green lemon is famous all over the world. Dishes will taste even tastier on banana leaf plates.
The Tahitians who accompanied you knowingly took a ukulele with them – after dinner you will have the opportunity to hear melodic Tahitian songs (and – as a gesture of respect for the guest – a song in your native language), as well as learn how to dance Polynesian dances – it’s not at all difficult! Now, in order to feel like a real Tahitian, you lack one thing – the ability to deftly crack coconuts – but the hospitable islanders will teach you this too.
