French Polynesia

Quick Facts

[edit]

Local name

French: Polynésie française, Tahitian: Pōrīnetia Farāni

Capital

Papeete

Government

French Overseas Territory

Nationality

French Polynesian

Population

254,000

Languages

French, Tahitian

Religions

Christianity (Protestant, Catholic)

Currency

CFP Franc (XPF)

Calling Code

+689

Time Zone

UTC-10

Help contribute to this article to share the ad revenue.

Introduction

Lookout over Temae Beach, Mo'orea

© All Rights Reserved MrJfromFla

With a generous splash of French style on this good-looking splice of the South Pacific, French Polynesia is one of the Pacific's biggest crowd drawers. This is where traditional Polynesian food takes a hit of French flavour, where French dollars are pumped into the thriving tourist industry and where the French decided to stage their nuclear testing back in 1995. Granted, the locals are itching for independence, but it is unlikely that the French influence will ever be erased. And really, it needn't be. French class makes this a superb destination for travellers; French Polynesia knows exactly how to appeal to those miraculous inner spaces known as comfort zones, while offering up an authentic South Pacific experience.

Brief History

Geography

Regions

There are five administrative divisions in French Polynesia.

• Windward Islands - makes up part of the Society Islands together with Leeward Islands. Tahiti island where the country capital of Papeete is located, is part of the Windward Islands.
• Leeward Islands - makes up part of the Society Islands together with Windward Islands
• Marquesas Islands
• Austral Islands - includes the Bass Islands
• Tuamotu-Gambier - includes the Tuamotus and the Gambier Islands

Cities

• Papeete - The capital
• Faaa
• Punaauia
• Pirae
• Mahina
• Paea
• Papara
• Arue

Sights and Activities

Most of the sights and activities in French Polynesia include relaxing and diving in and around one of the many islands, although there are some cultural things to explore as well. Here is just a small collection of islands.

Marquesas Islands

Sunrise on Ua Pou, Marquesas

© All Rights Reserved dadmin

The Marquesas Islands are located in the north of French Polynesia and from a group of volcanic islands. These islands are one of the best places in the world to get a way from it all and are among the most beautiful islands anywhere in the world. Their waters are great for snorkelling and diving as well, but there are many more attractions including the rainforests and mountains. Hiva Oa and Nuku Hiva are the largest islands where most people live, but with only about 9000 inhabitants you have the place almost to yourself.

Tuamotu Islands

The Tuamotu Islands are an archipelago of several island groups in French Polynesia and are great of diving and snorkelling because of its fine coral reefs with abudant aquatic animals to explore. Manihi is an atoll that forms a lagoon and is perfect for diving and black pearl farming. Many of the locals work in the black pearl industry. Rangiroa is another top scuba diving destination and is one of the largest atolls in the world.

Bora Bora

Bora Bora

© All Rights Reserved deannajuli

Say Bora Bora and most travellers think of paradise immediately. Unfortunately, although still beautiful, many travellers go here, including top end package tourists. The island has never lost its beauty though and with its steep mountains rising straight from the blue waters you will find yourself in one of the most magnificent islands of French Polynesia. Relaxing, walking and diving are your main activities here, like in most places in French Polynesia.

Other sights and activities

• Society Islands, including Moorea Tahiti - the main island, where [Papeete]], the only real city is located and most travellers arrive.
• Austral Islands
• Gambier Islands - least visited in the southeast of French Polynesia.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Getting there

By Plane

Faa'a International Airport (PPT), 5 km southwest of Papeete, handles all international flights. The national carrier, Air Tahiti Nui, flies to Auckland, New York, Los Angeles, Osaka, Paris, Sydney and Tokyo.

Other airlines flying into PPT include Air France (from Los Angles and Paris), Air New Zealand (Aukland), Hawaiianair (Honolulu), Air Tahiti (Rarotonga), Aircalin (Nouméa) and Lan Chile (Hanga Roa, Santiago de Chile).

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

By Plane

There are two airlines operating scheduled domestic air services.

• Air Moorea - Moorea-Temae.
• Air Tahiti - Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Maupiti, Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai, Raivavae, Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Mataiva, Tikehau, Rangiroa, Manihi, Ahe, Arutua, Kaukura, Takaroa, Takapoto, Kauehi, Katiu, Makemo, Anaa, Raroia, Hikueru, Hao, Tatakoto, Pukarua, Reao, Mangareva.

Several other companies offer charter flights only.

By Train

There are not train services on any of the islands.

By Land

You can rent cars on the largest and more developed islands, like Tahiti. A 4wd is recommended when visiting some inland tracks. Fares are high, but as you don't need a car for more than a few days, it is not that bad, especially if you are with 3 or 4 people to share costs.

Tahiti and several of the more developed islands offer buses and minibuses on fixed routes, and are relatively cheap.

Other options include renting scooters and bicycles on most islands, or horses on for example the Marquesas islands.

By Boat

There are ferries and catamarans travelling between Tahiti and Moorea several times daily. There are also services, often combined with cargo, to more outlying islands, but on an less frequent basis, sometimes even only once a month. Boats usually leave from Papeete.
Several more expensive option include week trips with luxury ships like the Paul Gauguin, Windsong, Arunai or Tahiti Princess.
Of course, chartering a yacht, is an option as well, and affordable if you are with a group.

Red Tape

Money

The CFP franc is the currency used in French Polynesia. The initials CFP originally stood for Colonies Françaises du Pacifique but now means Change Franc Pacifique. New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna Islands also use the CFP franc and they can be used in all three states.
It is subdivided into 100 centimes. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 franc. Banknotes include the 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000 ones.
All banknotes are identical in all three states. The coins on the other hand, have one side which is identical and one side where the inscription of the respective country (New Caledonia also applies to Wallis and Futuna by the way) can be found.

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

Post