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French Polynesia ( / ˌpɒlɪˈniːʒə / ⓘ POL-in-EE-zhə; French: Polynésie française [pɔlinezi fʁɑ̃sɛːz]; Tahitian: Pōrīnetia Farāni) is an overseas collectivity of France and its sole overseas country.
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French Polynesia, overseas collectivity of France consisting of five archipelagoes in the south-central Pacific Ocean. Included are some 130 islands scattered across the Pacific between latitudes 7° and 27° S and longitudes 134° and 155° W—a total land area roughly equivalent to that of metropolitan Paris and London combined but spread across a swath of ocean five times as large as France.
The archipelagoes of French Polynesia are the Society Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, Gambier Islands, Marquesas Islands, and Tubuai Islands. The capital, Papeete, is on Tahiti, French Polynesia’s largest island (403 square miles [1,043 square km]), in the Society group.
The islands are all protrusions of parallel submarine ridges trending from the northwest to the southeast. The Society Islands are the most westerly and extensive group, accounting for two-fifths of the land area and nearly nine-tenths of the population. They consist of two groups, the Îles du Vent (Windward Islands) in the east and the Îles Sous le Vent (Leeward Islands) in the west. Except for a few small coral atolls, the Society Islands resulted from the emergence of underwater volcanoes. The volcanic cones are highly eroded and cut up into high crests and deep, radiating valleys. The often lushly vegetated mountains drop abruptly to narrow coastal strips or directly into lagoons or the sea. The islands are protected from the force of the sea by almost completely encircling barrier reefs.
Tahiti, formed of two ancient volcanic cones, is particularly striking because of its dramatic silhouette, which rises 7,352 feet (2,241 metres) above sea level. The mountains are empty of human settlement, habitation and planting being entirely limited to the coastal strip and valley outlets of the island. The island of Moorea, separated from Tahiti by a channel 8.5 miles (14 km) wide, is also a high island and is encircled with brilliant white coral sand beaches. It is well-connected to Tahiti by boat and taxi planes—a consequence of the booming tourist trade there.
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Islands and Archipelagos
Some 75 miles (120 km) west of Tahiti are the Îles Sous le Vent, made up of five volcanic islands and four atolls. They closely resemble the Îles du Vent in appearance. Raiatea, a double island group, is the largest and most densely populated of the Îles Sous le Vent. Separated by a channel that is about 2 miles (3 km) wide, Raiatea and its northern neighbour, Tahaa, are located on the same mountain mass and lie within a single barrier reef. Both have coastal plains suitable for growing coconut palms and raising livestock. Some vanilla is also grown. The group’s main port is Uturoa, located on Raiatea. To the east of Raiatea is the picturesque island of Huahine, a volcanic structure bisected by a shallow arm of the sea.
Finally, to the west of Raiatea lies the beautiful little island of Bora-Bora. It is formed from two volcanic peaks rising to 2,385 feet (727 metres) and 2,169 feet (661 metres) and dropping abruptly to the lagoon. Bora-Bora is one of the centres of the tourist trade in French Polynesia.
- Bora Bora. The best for a luxury escape. When it comes to French Polynesia, the first place that comes to mind for most people is Bora Bora. The most romantic of the islands, Bora Bora is known for its luxurious resorts with overwater bungalows, which also makes it one of the best places in French Polynesia for a honeymoon.
- Mo’orea. The best place to swim with whales. French Polynesia has lots of incredible experiences to offer visitors, but by far one of the best is getting the chance to swim with humpback whales in Mo’orea.
- Huahine. The best island for a road trip. If you are thinking about renting a car and exploring an island, then Huahine is the place to go. It’s one of the larger society islands but can still be explored by car in a day.
- The Marquesas. The best islands for history and culture. A four-hour flight north of Tahiti are the Marquesas; some of the most remote, yet accessible, islands in the world.
Feb 25, 2021 · Learn about the geography, history, and culture of French Polynesia, a collection of 118 islands and atolls in the South Pacific Ocean. Explore maps, facts, and images of the five island groups, the capital Papeete, and the natural attractions of this overseas collectivity of France.
- Papeete (located on Tahiti)
- 4,167.00 km 2
- 3,827.00 km 2
- 340.00 km 2
- Rangiroa. The largest atoll in the French Polynesia islands and the second-largest atoll in the world, Rangiroa looks like a donut tossed across the ocean as you come in for a landing from Papeete in Tahiti, a full hour's flight (on Air Tahiti) away.
- Tikehau. You're really off the beaten path in the Tuamotus when you stay on the gorgeous atoll of Tikehau, where a rustic spin on an overwater bungalow stay awaits at Le Tikehau by Pearl Resorts, situated on its own private motu, or islet.
- Moorea. It's just a half-hour catamaran ferry ride from bustling Papeete —Tahiti's main city, where you first land in the French Polynesia islands — to Moorea, located right across the channel.
- Tahiti. Tahiti, the largest and one of the best islands in French Polynesia, is where you first land after most international flights. Tourists who only use Tahiti as a jumping off point for heading elsewhere throughout the islands are sure to miss out on some serious natural beauty and true Tahitian hospitality.
Explore the 118 islands of The Islands of Tahiti, a South Pacific paradise with rich culture, natural beauty and diverse activities. Find vacation packages, events, travel tips and more on the official site of Tahiti Tourisme.
Explore the best places to visit, attractions, articles and guidebooks for French Polynesia, a place of sky-piercing peaks and turquoise lagoons. Discover the culture, history, wildlife and nature of this Polynesian paradise with Lonely Planet.
