Volcanic islands, dense tropic forests, unforgettable underwater world and many secluded places away from noisy urban life that are perfect for relaxation – you will find all these and more in French Polynesia. The biggest island of the collectivity is known to everyone. It’s Tahiti or, as locals like to call it, “the island of love”. It is better to start exploration of French Polynesia from a visit to this beautiful island as it has sights and entertainment to fit even most discerning travellers.
The capital of the island, Papeete, is a wonderful place that has both beautiful nature and interesting landmarks. Among spacious parkways and flowerbeds, you will see such magnificent buildings as Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Papeete Cathedral, the Bishop Residence and numerous monuments, most of which are built to celebrate an important event or a famous person. There are several national parks and reserves on the island. They are very popular with travellers, especially with alpinists who simply adore mountain slopes of Tahiti.
Moorea Island is no less beautiful than Tahiti. This island is famous for its numerous sanctuaries. There are more than a hundred churches and cathedrals on the island, but besides that Moorea is a great place to see the beauty of nature in its splendour. The most famous destinations there include the Dolphin Centre, Vairoro Falls and Opunohu Bay. The bay is also an important historic site as that is the place where Captain Cook landed in 1769.
Tetiaroa atoll is a wonderful place that attracts many travellers who come to see rich underwater life, fascinating reefs, exotic birds and white sand beaches.
Probably, only Bora Bora can conquer with Tahiti in terms of beauty and unforgettable exotic nature. The main place of interest of the island is also very unusual – the Coral Garden underwater park. Every year many tourists come to Bora Bora to see this park with their own eyes. In Coral Garden, they can see many exotic fishes, shellfish, sharks and dolphins. Besides that, there are more than 40 interesting historic landmarks on the island. The villages of Vaiotaha, Farerua, Poovai and Marotetini hide many interesting sights, such as ancient ritual stones, old buildings and hidden caves. The island of Huahine is known as one of most mystic places in French Polynesia. Here tourists can see ruins of buildings that once belonged to the ancient Maui civilization. The remains of their sanctuaries can be found in Vaitotia and Fahia villages. Archaeologists keep working almost everywhere on the island, finding more and more buildings and new facts about life many centuries ago.
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Cities and sights of French Polynesia