Tahiti - French Polynesia
Tahiti & her Islands are an absolute paradise in the South Pacific Ocean. Sunshine, turquoise waters, black and white sands, and romantic sunsets.
Her 118 islands cover over 3 million square km. The three archipelagos mostly visited are the Society Islands, comprised of Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a; The Tuamotu Atolls of Rangiroa, Manihi, Tikehau, and Fakarava; and the mystical Marquesas.
Around 4000 BC, a great migration began from Southeast Asia across open ocean to settle the Pacific Islands. Over several centuries, the Tahitian islands were colonized.
European exploration began in the 1500s, with explorers such as Magellan, Mendaña and later, Captain Samuel Wallis sailing into the islands. Wallis named the island of Tahiti “King George III Island” and claimed it for England just before French navigator Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, landed on the opposite side of Tahiti and claimed it for the King of France. Captain James Cook also visited and returned with his drawings of flora and fauna and the first maps.
Tales of Tahiti became legend as word spread about the mutiny of Captain Bligh’s crew aboard the H.M.S. Bounty and adventurers recounted stories of its tropical beauty and warm exotic people. Whalers arrived, as did British missionaries and the French military and a rivalry for possession grew.
The Pomare Dynasty ruled Tahiti until 1847 when Queen Pomare accepted French protection of the islands of Tahiti and Moorea. After the queen’s death, King Pomare V was persuaded to cede Tahiti and most of its dependencies to France until they were re-constituted in 1957, as French Polynesia. Since 1984, a state of autonomy was implemented and French Polynesia has become an overseas country with great independence.
Tahitians still maintain their rich heritage and traditions of their Maohi ancestors, with legends of adventures of gods and warriors in outrigger canoes. It truly is a mysterious paradise.
Tahiti can be reached from Australia with flights into Papeete, on the main island, and can also be a stop en route to Easter Island and on to Chile, or to North America. The outer islands of Moorea and Bora Bora are the most popular destinations and are easily reached from Papeete by sea or air. There are also some adventurous and luxurious cruises exploring the archipelagos.
Visit Tahiti and her islands – take a dip into paradise.