The five island groups of French Polynesia (comprising 118 islands and atolls) total only 3,827 sq km in land mass, but are spread across an area of the Pacific that is the size of Western Europe. The islands are mixed, but beautiful, whether they're rugged dots rising high out of the blue waters or low-lying atolls with white sand and stunning coral reefs.
You can just lounge in a hammock with a cool cocktail, but the islands also offer exceptional diving, surfing and sailing, plus plenty of hiking and climbing in luscious mountains.
Everything that is imported into remote French Polynesia is rather pricey – and pretty much everything is imported. Take the essentials with you, including sun cream, your own snorkel and mask, and a raincoat.
French Polynesia’s rainy season runs from November to April. May to October is the best time to visit as it is less humid and rain is less frequent.
School holidays are often busy and expensive – book early if visiting at these times.
Faa’a International Airport (PPT) on Tahiti
Short flights are the quickest, easiest – and most expensive – way to get between islands. Plenty of boats and ferries run too.
On most islands, the best way to get around on land is via 'Le Truck', a reliable bus service. Taxis tend to be very expensive.
You can pay top dollar for a luxury beach lodge or slob out in a woven beach shack for a fraction of the cost.
The staple diet of most islanders is a mixture of starchy breadfruit, fish, fatty pork, coconut milk and a few vegetables. On special occasions, the whole lot is placed in a hole on top of burning coals, covered in banana leaves and then buried to cook for several hours.
Seafood is common, and may be curried or cooked in coconut milk. Pork is the preferred meat; chicken is often poor quality.
Coconut milk is the cheapest and most refreshing drink. Fresh fruit juice is delicious, but quite expensive.
The local beer, Hinano, is drunk everywhere.
Take remedies for seasickness if you are prone and plan on island-hopping. Wear plenty of sun cream. Drink lots of purified water.
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