French polynesia islands and its most beautiful beaches to discover...
Ahe
The small island of Ahe neighboring Manihi, is very cramped. Deprived of airfields and hotels for visitors, life on the atoll is reduced to the essentials: fishing and picking coconuts are the main resources. The lagoon of Ahe is known for its biodiversity and the fragility of its coral reefs. If the lagoon reef do not exceed 33 yards (30 m) of depth, on the outside they quickly reach the 3300 yards (3000 m) ... Most drift dives are made on the edge of the Tiareroa channel and along the magnificent coral reefs of Rahokoro and Taharuga.
Anaa
The sumptuous oval coral ring that delimits its translucent jade lagoon, with little depth, makes Anaa, one of the most perfect atolls in the Pacific. With an average width of 780 yards (700 meters), the island has no channels, but, in places, the gentle slope of its reef allows the boats to dock. This atoll, one of the closest to Tahiti, of which it is separated by 273 miles (437 km), was the most populous of the Tuamotu archipelago. Most of its inhabitants are settled in Tuuhora, its main village where visitors can take board for a few days of a quiet, joyful and timeless life.
Apataki
Apataki is located 230 miles (370 km) north-east of the island of Tahiti, 12 miles (19 km) from Arutua, in which it is associated. The main village is Niutahi. The rectangular atoll is an important center for the development of pearl farming, and also provides a small production of fish, copra and "nono" exported to Tahiti.
Arutua
Perfect ring of coral, Arutua has a dazzling lagoon of nearly 19 mi (30 km) in diameter, open on the ocean by a single channel that only can be crossed by the small boats. This lagoon is dotted with fish parks and pearl farms that stand on stilts and produce quality pearls of culture. The majority of the inhabitants of the atoll live in the village of Rautini.
Atolls Takaroa et Takapoto
These two atolls have of course the most original lagoons. The farthest inside French Polynesia, one notices the extreme kindness of the population, because it is not uncommon to be kindly invited to come and take a refreshment. The hospitality of its inhabitants makes us want to take a closer look at their simple and modest life in community.
Bora Bora
From the airport, located on a motu (islet), in less than half an hour the village of Vaitape, the capital of the island, is reached by speedboat. This is fantastic, in my opinion, there is not more beautiful lagoon in the world. The best place to visit is Matira, south of Bora-Bora, the most friendly spot of the island. The particularity of Bora-Bora is the differences in depth of its lagoon with slices of navy blue (15m), azure blue (6m), turquoise blue and green (1m and 2m). It's a giant blue pool. Great stroll to do, island tour in dugout canoe, go feeding sharks, rays, see a multitude of multicolored fishes, mask, snorker, fins and you ain't need bottles. Be careful, the island is surrounded by motus opening channels and the currents to the approaches are often very strong. In a few thousand years, the central island will have sunk and the remaining crown will form an Atoll.
Fakarava
From the sky, the motus of Fakarava seem like a delightful string of ossicles arranged on the blue carpet of the ocean, in an interminable rectangle. With its 38 miles (60 km) long and 15 miles (25 km) wide, this rectangular atoll is one of the largest in the archipelago. The perimeter of its coral beaches extends for more than 93 miles (150 km)! Two large channels give access to the Pacific ocean, including Ngarue, where most of the inhabitants of the island live. A small minority live in the tiny village of Tetamanu. The life of all is organized around the lagoon, the sumptuous seabed, and the pearl farms, where the (diving) visitor, can discover the activity of parks. A protected atoll, part of a biosphere reserve classified by Unesco: a particularly rare fauna and flora testifying to the richness of this eco-system, to the delight of the divers.
Huahine
At 106 miles (170 km) from Tahiti, Huahine has nothing to envy to Moorea. It is a generous island and the magic that it releases by its wild side makes it exceptional and attractive. It is made up of 2 volcanic islands connected by a bridge. Huahine looks like Tahiti before its industrialization. Tahiti is for tourists, only a international place of arrivals and departures to and from the fabulous islands surrounding.
Kaukura
Oval in shape, this atoll, 31 miles (50 km) long and 9 miles (14 km) wide, divided into 65 groups of islets (motus), contains a shallow lagoon with crystal clear waters. The main village of Raitahiti, nestled under the coconut trees in the northern part of the atoll, is served by a small airfield. The 379 inhabitants live mainly from lagoon fishing thanks to their numerous parks supplying the market of Papeete with fresh fish.
Makemo
Third largest atoll in Polynesia 13 miles (21 km), Makemo, located 310 miles (500 km) east of Tahiti, is populated by 488 inhabitants living in the village of Pouheva, bordering one of its two channels, diving places recognized as inescapable by the diversity and richness of their underwater fauna.
Manihi
The Manihi lagoon is also suitable for the cultivation of the black jewel. It also includes several pearl farms. Their visit will give everyone the secrets of this mother of pearl with legendary virtues. If the atoll shelters the remains of ancient marae, it is best known for the exceptional quality of its underwater depths. Along the vertiginous falls, it will be easy to surprise the intimacy of the manta ray, deploying its majestic wing near the impressive gray sharks, lemon sharks or sleeper sharks that evolve in these enchanting spaces. Atoll at the end of the world, Manihi has exceptional seabed that attracts divers from all over the world.
Mataiva
Mataiva is very small, with a pretty round lagoon, closed on its fishy waters. True tropical aquarium, this lagoon is the wealth of the 227 inhabitants of the atoll who live mainly from their miraculous fishing, regularly sold in the market of Papeete. Located at the north-western end of the Tuamotu archipelago, 193 miles (311 km) from Tahiti and 50 miles (80 km) from Rangiroa, Mataiva is 5.3 mi (8.5 km) long and 2.2 mi (3.6 km) wide. Its lagoon is slightly elevated: it consists of 70 ponds of about 8 meters deep with 9 channels.
Maupiti
Maupiti is located 25 mi (40 km) west of Bora-Bora and is one of the most beautiful seas of the South. It has the same characteristics as its sister Bora-Bora: it holds a sparkling lagoon, a crowned motu and a majestic mountain in its center. An island with an authentic atmosphere, tucked in the heart of a jade lagoon, open to the ocean by a single channel. A boat trip on this lagoon allows to admire the leopard or manta rays, the multicolored fishes as well as the magnificent coral gardens.
Moorea
Moorea means "yellow lizard" (and yes I can speak Maori fluently), from its form comes this idea of butterfly. It is part of the archipelago of the Society Islands and more precisely islands of the wind. It is the sister island of Tahiti from which it is separated by 10 miles (15 km). Seven minutes in a small plane to reach Moorea from the airport of Faaa - Papeete.
Raiatea
Raiatea, the cradle of Polynesia, harbors archaeological treasures (marae) that bear witness of a rich and still rich history and culture. Stage of the famous pirogue race "Hawaiki nui va'a", the sacred island is also the delight of the amateurs of diving and tours. Natural assets that are conducive to nature tourism: deep and various bays, unspoilt and spectacular surroundings (craters, waterfalls), optimum conditions of navigation, a navigable river (Faaroa) offering unusual circuits, a generous nature favorable to the vanilla crops.
Rangiroa
Rangiroa is the largest atoll in the Tuamotu archipelago, 44 mi (70 km) long and 12 mi (20 km) wide. It is 220 mi (350 km) northeast of Papeete. By its very abundant marine life, it is a privileged place for diving. The guided tours are nice to see: blue lagoon, a lagoon in the lagoon (very beautiful), pink sands and other desert motu for the crusoe robinsons, the main motu where you land is not memorable, a lot of coral and rocky, nice sandy beaches are far, take a boat.
Tahaa
Enclosed in the same lagoon as Raiatea, Tahaa due to its relative isolation has preserved the charm and the authenticity of Polynesia from yesteryear. Calm and rest, but also walks in the mountains and tours on the motus (islets) await you there. An island with authentic charm: wild island with luxuriant vegetation, set on an emerald lagoon, surrounded by heavenly motus. A magical tropical flora in a beautiful fragrant and colorful garden, guided tour of vanilla plantations and explanation about the process of ripening of the vanilla, of which 80% of the harvests of Polynesia are produced in Tahaa, tasting of tropical fruits, during 4x4 tours.
Tahiti
Two volcanoes on an emerald sea gave birth to the myth of paradise, which is today indissociable from the largest of the Polynesian islands 400 miĀ² (1042 kmĀ²). Rugged mountains dotted with clouds and deep valleys, luxuriant ferns, rivers with invigorating waters and black sandy beaches await you on this island.
Tetiaroa
At 27 miles (44 km) from Tahiti, Tetiaroa is an atoll enclosed in a reef of 34 miles (55 km) in circumference. Tetiaroa, bird paradise is a trip of privilege and exception. It is a tiny island, since it is only 4.6 mi (7.5 km) in its widest part. This atoll is private and belonged to Marlon Brandon. It's a little paradise! Indeed, the number of tourists is very limited by a high price of the round trip ticket, but we can not miss the eden!
Tikehau
Tikehau is a small paradise of almost circular shape, whose crown of coconut palms is bordered by large white and pink sand beaches, breathtaking beaches! This is my favorite destination with Bora-bora. Tikehau is 55 minutes far from Tahiti. About 300 inhabitants live on this extremely welcoming atoll. There are few tourists in Tikehau because it is not very well known but it is worth the trip.
Toau
Toau is the neighboring atoll of Fakarava. Twice smaller, circular in shape, it has two channels of which the largest, Otugi is 330 yards (300 meters).