French Polynesia is a 1,622 square mile group of volcanic islands scattered over 965,255 square miles of the South Pacific. It is made up of several groups of islands; the Austral/ Bass Islands, Marquesas Islands, Society Islands, and the Tuamotu Archipelago/ Gambier Islands. There are also several other atolls and smaller groups of islands; Ahe, Bora Bora, Hiva `Oa, Huahine, Maiao, Maupiti, Mehetia, Moorea, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Tahaa, Tetiaroa, Tubuai, and Tupai.

The most popular travel destinations are Bora Bora and Tahiti. Tahiti is also the largest and most populated in this group of islands. It is home to many geological wonders that attract the type of traveler looking for unique features and variety. Tahiti is a mountainous island covered in rainforests and lined with beaches. These beaches are especially interesting to travelers because the sand is black. The sailing season in the South Pacific lasts from May to October. The largest harbour in Tahiti is located in the capital of Papeete, it is a deep water harbour that can accommodate large vessels but unfortunately there is no dockage. Five miles west there is another deep water marina called Marina Taina that is perfect for dockage in this area.

Bora Bora’s famous St. Regis resort features cabins literally on the water. They are on stilts in shallow water; you can even get your breakfast delivered via canoe! Bora Bora is a popular sailing destination, but for the most part it is one of many stops on a weeklong cruising itinerary.

Raiatea and Tahaa are also very popular charter destinations and they are said to have some of the most charter friendly waters in all of French Polynesia. Raiatea’s large lagoon offers for circumnavigation of the island and its barriers. Raiatea is where most charter companies establish their business. Marinas on Raiatea include Utuoa Marina, Apooiti Marina, and Uturaerae Marina where yachting vessels can be serviced. Tapuamu Marina is the only marina on Tahaa, but you can also moor at the Marina Iti, on the south side of the island, and also in front of the Hibiscus hotel in Haamene bay on the east side of Tahaa.

French Polynesia is just south of the Equator; therefore the area maintains a constant tropical climate. Obviously, the islands further north will be the warmest and experience the most rainfall considering they are directly below the Equator and those further south will fall into a drier and more temperate climate. The winter is from May to October, when temperatures range from high 60’s to high 80’s and there is less rainfall and humidity. The summer is from November to April when temperatures range from the mid 70’s to the low 100’s and rainfall can reach up to 15” in one month. Tropical storms and hurricanes are not common in French Polynesia; the last severe storm was in 1989.

French is the official language of French Polynesia. Other languages include Polynesian languages of the indigenous peoples and various East Asian Languages.