The quintessential island in the sun
Vacations are for relaxing and escaping life’s daily stresses. This fits nicely with the ambience of Tahiti, which has the features people associate with island life: sun, warm weather, beautiful beaches and water sports.

Tahiti’s location in the South Pacific and its French Polynesian culture make it unique among island paradises. One has only to look at Paul Gauguin’s lush, sensual pictures to feel the pull of this island. Scores of islands, including Moorea and Bora Bora, comprise French Polynesia, but Tahiti is the largest and best-known.

About Tahiti
Although Tahiti is one island in a Polynesian group called the Society Islands, visitors and even those who promote its touristic charms often apply the name Tahiti to numerous area islands. Besides, most visitors who travel great distances to be in the South Pacific want to see more than one island. Therefore, this discussion encompasses Tahiti island, which is the subject of BestTripChoices ratings, plus the neighboring islands; together they deliver great scenic beauty, and a simple, tranquil lifestyle overlaid with French sophistication.

Destinations like Tahiti face the problem of being quite far from their tourism markets, and some prospective visitors are reluctant to make the long trip. (Tahiti is in the same time zone as Hawaii, but a lot farther south.) And, there’s no question life for tourists and residents is expensive. On the other hand, that faraway location protects Tahiti from being overly commercialized and spoiled by too much traffic, which pleases those who like Tahiti’s culture just the way it is.

Tahiti pleases venturers because they can completely unwind and recharge their psychic batteries. They also appreciate the wild beauty of these volcanic islands, the exotic culture and the activities available in and around the ocean. Active visitors can swim and snorkel, race canoes and play tennis, squash and golf. Tahitian waters, with high concentrations of whales, sharks, dolphins and countless other marine life, are a diver’s dream.

In addition, clubs and resorts invite locals to join their evening fun, providing a chance for tourists to interact with the Polynesians.

The more adventurous centrics come to Tahiti for the same reasons as venturers.
Visiting history buffs want to see the land where the Bounty’s mutineers were marooned for awhile, where Gauguin painted and which helped populate Hawaii. Papeete (the only city in the islands) is not very pretty, but it’s a lively and fun place.

Although only a few authentics make the trip to Tahiti, they do find its warm weather and good accommodations attractive.

• Hike deep below Tahiti’s mountains, exploring the lava tubes of Hitiaa (the tubes — up to 50 feet in diameter — are formed by volcanic lava when the outside of a flowing stream cools faster than the interior). You’ll find grottos, coursing streams and waterfalls that you can slide down, among other surprises. You must do this with a guide.

• Try your hand at outrigger canoeing. Come to Huahine island for the world’s largest outrigger canoe race, Hawaiki Nui Va’a, in October.

• Commission a top tattooist to create your personal design, then have the tattoo applied.

• Go scuba diving. You’ll swim astonishingly close to the large marine animals. Choice sites include steep oceanic drop-offs and access to sunken ships. At www.tahiti-tourisme.com/diving/tahitidiving.asp, click on the diving map for the Tahiti itself or click through for information on diving at all the nearby islands and their maps. The waters of Rangiroa and Fakarava islands are considered the best of all.

• Go to Huahine island for surfing, considered a top choice because of the massive waves at Avamoa Pass.

• Rent a boat (with or without a captain and crew) to set your own schedule for travel among the islands.

• Windsurfing in these islands is for experts only; too much coral in the shallow waters presents a problem for beginners.

• Learn to husk a coconut and prepare the Tahitian poisson cru, which is fish marinated in coconut milk and lime juice.

• Get a bird’s-eye view of the French Polynesian islands: Take a helicopter tour.

• Participate in a full marathon (26 miles) or a three-part marathon (swimming, biking and running) on Moorea, in February.

• Go to the Moorea Dolphin Center (at the InterContinental Resort Moorea) for some quality time with dolphins.

• Pack your paints and brushes. Do a Paul Gauguin — and see what you come home with. Also, visit the Paul Gauguin Museum.

• Renew your marriage vows in these romantic islands. You can arrange a marriage ceremony here, too, but be aware, U.S. citizens cannot legally be married in French Polynesia.

• See the Marquesas and Tuamotu islands aboard the Aranui 3 freighter/passenger ship, a working cargo ship that provides a lifeline to the outside world for inhabitants of these islands. Passengers can explore each island on guided excursions visiting 17 ports on this 16-day voyage that begins in Papeete.

• Go sailing and deep-sea fishing at Raiatea and Taha’a, two of the Society Islands.
Come to Taha’a in November for the Stone Fishing Tournament, referring to a fishing technique that involves beating the water with stones to frighten the fish onto the beach.

• Tour the distillery on Moorea and sample tropical fruit liqueurs.

• Jump into a lagoon with sharks at feeding time (an experienced guide feeds the animals). This is a snorkeling adventure that begins in an outrigger on Bora Bora or Moorea. You can watch from the boat, as well.

• Take a four-wheel-drive safari around Moorea or into the interior of one of the other islands.

• Horseback riding is a good way to see some of Tahiti (and other islands, too) or just to get a change from water sports.

• Join in the celebration of Bastille Day (July 14), called Tiurai by the Polynesians. This holiday means carnival time in Tahiti, and you’ll see lots of traditional sports and dancing.

• Stock up on monoi, a scented oil Polynesian women use to beautify their skin; it is made (with a secret recipe) from the oils of tree fruits and fragrances taken from the tiare flower. Other Tahitian souvenirs include wooden handicrafts, stone carvings and elaborate hats and other goods woven from coconut and pandanus leaves.

• Enjoy a traditional feast and Tahitian dance show. Also, try the locally made Hinano beer.

• For a romantic getaway, stay in a thatched-roof bungalow on stilts over a lagoon, a place where breakfast is delivered to your room by outrigger canoe. Spend your beach time in secluded and private coves.

• Set aside one day in Tahiti for a circle island tour. You can drive a rental car or take a guided tour.

• Walk around the marketplace in the center of Papeete on a main shopping day like Sunday. It’s a gigantic farmers market, filled with strange and exotic produce representing all the ethnic groups of the island.
Shop for the latest in French fashion, too.

• Vanilla, a major crop here, is the only edible fruit in the orchid family. Tour a vanilla plantation, then keep your nose peeled at mealtimes for the spice which Tahitians use in just about anything.

• Visit a black pearl oyster farm on Manihi, Rangiroa or Taha’a island, then buy pearls to take home. The big market is Papeete’s Tahiti Pearl Market.

• Sign on for the Tahitian spa experience called taurumi, involving local oils and massage, all in an outdoor setting. The lotions are made on the spot just before treatments and contain flowers, local fruits, vanilla, mint and sandalwood.

• Attend Heiva i Tahiti, the area’s largest cultural festival of the year, in July in Papeete on Tahiti. It features competitive dance events, traditional sports contests and handicrafts exhibitions.

• Enjoy a private or group picnic on one of the area’s motus (tiny islets in the lagoons). Your resort or cruise ship can arrange this. Your table could sit right in the warm, shallow waters near the beach.