By Air

There is a direct overnight flight (7 1/2 hrs.) from Los Angeles or New Zealand or Australia. You either arrive early in the morning on Air France or Air New Zealand or in the evening on Air Tahiti Nui.

Deep Sea Fishing
Fish, fish, and everywhere fish. The waters outside the barrier reef are home to an eye-popping assortment of fish -- marlins, mahimahi, yellow fin tuna and others. Both experienced anglers and curious visitors will find deep sea fishing here to be particularly rewarding.

Diving
Tahiti and her neighboring islands are renowned for their superb dive sites. Here you ll find plenty of curiously shaped coral, a rainbow assortment of fish, and astounding undersea plant life. The underwater attractions vary from island to island, and many guests choose to take in a number of dive sites.

Glass Bottom Boat Tours
Reserve a seat on a glass bottom boat, and explore the colorful underwater world of French Polynesia. These quaint boats are a wonderful and easy way for visitors to get acquainted with the coral gardens and undersea life of Tahiti and Her Islands.

Sunset Sailings
For the romantic at heart, a sunset sailing excursion is the ideal Tahitian experience. Marvel as the waning sun casts its amber rays against billowy Pacific clouds. The gentle sway of the water, the crisp tropical air and the company of friends and fellow visitors help make this an essential Island experience.

The other activities include canoeing, surfing, and yachting as well as parasailing,cycling, camping, hiking, horse riding, and jeep safari tours.

Museums
No visit to Tahiti is complete without a visit to the Island s unique and fascinating museums. From cultural relics and exhibits chronicling the exploits of famed Tahitian explorers like James Cook and Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, to the earthy art of Paul Gauguin, Tahiti s rich historic legacy begs to be explored. The Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands is world-renowned for its comprehensive exhibits detailing the history of French Polynesia, while the Gauguin Museum features photos, documents and art by the legendary painter, Paul Gauguin. The Tahiti Perles Museum in Papeete displays the most beautiful black pearl creations in the world. There s even a quaint colonial-style museum, Musee des Coquillages that showcases seashells from the region.

Black Pearl Shopping
Black Pearls are Tahiti s largest and most unique export - indeed, they can only be found in French Polynesia. Visitors can explore black pearl farms in Manihi, Rangiroa and Raiatea. Before purchasing pearls, it s a great idea to visit the Tahiti Perles Museum in Papeete to learn how to judge value based on size, color and shape.

Tahiti and Her Islands are a shopper s dream featuring a mind-boggling array of merchandise: exquisite, one-of-a-kind black pearl jewelry, decorous, hand-crafted garments, gorgeous woven goods and stunning carved items. For art lovers, our galleries brim with a variety of paintings, sculptures and crafts. From primitive to contemporary, the artisans of French Polynesia are as inspiring as the Islands themselves.