the Society Islands

From Tahiti, the main island of the country towards Moorea, its enchanting sister island, to the paradise atoll of Tetiaroa bought by Marlon Brando, the Windward Islands are the tropical dream embodied! Choose between the many terrestrial and aquatic activities to discover them or, quite simply, let yourself go and relax by the pool.

Crowned by majestic peaks, Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia, dominates the ocean like a proud and royal queen. The mountainous interior is adorned with mystical valleys, clear rivers and impressive waterfalls. Most of the islanders live close to the coast, leaving the interior of the island almost intact and authentic despite the proximity to the bustling capital of Papeete. Papeete, which means “basket of water”, was once a gathering place where Tahitians came to fill their calabashes with fresh water. Now Papeete, the cornerstone of this island nation, has world class hotels, SPAs, fine and unique restaurants, night clubs, vibrant markets, museums, pearl shops and boutiques.

Tahiti… Nothing that the word means, paradise at the end of the world.

A lively culture

The largest and most animated of the islands of French Polynesia is Tahiti, known as Tahiti, living to the rhythm of culture, music and dance. Take part in an enchanting Tahitian dance performance called ‘ori Tahiti, or visit an exhibition of contemporary art, an unusual play, a traditional or modern concert. Tahiti – and especially Papeete – give the opportunity to discover artistic expression in all its forms.

An authentic experience

Tahiti is also famous for its hospitality and its soft and relaxed atmosphere where everyone is welcome. The first thing visitors will notice is the spontaneous, sincere and unsurpassed friendliness of Tahitians. Here, people smile all the time and often take the time to share tips, information or a story. Visitors will instantly feel at ease with the rhythm of island life.

Nature + Activities

When you travel to Tahiti, the island slowly reveals its beauty and charms. It can be explored in different ways: black sand beaches on the East coast, white sand beaches on the West coast, diving, surf spots for beginners and legendary ones, the mountain peaks of lush valleys or the sites history, the colorful Papeete market and so much more…

There are certain places that you can immediately feel, they cast a magic spell on you: welcome to Tetiaroa.
The atoll is a haven for birds, sea turtles and all kinds of marine life. Tetiaroa is very precious for Tahitians who consider it a sacred place. So sacred, that at one time, the white sandy beaches framed by coconut palms and a perfect crystalline lagoon were reserved for the getaways and vacations of Tahitian royalty. Not surprisingly, actor Marlon Brando fell in love with him during the filming of “Les revoltés du Bounty” in 1960, to the point of becoming its owner a few years later. Now, you can follow the wake of the Hollywood kings and stars who embark on a private 15-minute flight from Tahiti or Moorea.

Among the motu, Tahuna Iti, the island of birds, is a national reserve for seabirds, frigates, brown boobies, red-tailed phaeton, great crested grebe and other petrels.

An unforgettable atoll just a few minutes from Tahiti

Tetiaroa Atoll is part of the Society Islands. This passless atoll which does not exceed the surface of 34 km2 is made up of 13 motu covered with palm trees. Known for its long sandy beaches where turquoise waters rhyme with tranquility and magnificence, the island was the vacation home of the Pomare royal family. Marlon Brando fell in love with his Bounty Revolt partner and the beautiful coral at the point of buying the atoll in 1966.

An ornithological sanctuary

Tetiaroa hosts one of the most important bird reserves in Tahiti and its islands. You’ll find white terns, brown boobies, frigates, red-tailed phaeton and the incredible crested grebe, whose colony is the only one of the Windward Islands. The birds come to feed in this virgin and preserved paradise.

The Brando: high-end eco lodge

Inaugurated in 2014 on the motu Onetahi, The Brando set the tone by offering ultra-luxurious service for an ultimate getaway at the highest level of comfort and pleasure. One of a kind, The Brando uses renewable energy through solar panels and an air conditioning system using cold seawater drawn 960 meters deep. The 39 villas are perfectly integrated into nature and it is difficult to spot them from the shore.

The hotel is expected to soon obtain the Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, the highest distinction in this most respected program for assessing the environmental impact of new construction. The other motu remain preserved and serve as observation posts and for collecting scientific data.

Moorea magically rises from the ocean to the sky like a majestic natural cathedral. Tall green arrows, pointed and inspiring, are crowned with clouds. The poetic nets of the waterfalls fall in the middle of cliffs overgrown with ferns. Peaceful meadows flanked by emerald green pinnacles will fuel your faith in the sovereignty of nature. The sparkling blue lagoon of Moorea will make you live the idyll promised by the South Seas and live up to your wildest dreams. The pastel-painted houses are surrounded by hibiscus gardens and birds of paradise. They make up a necklace of villages where life is simple and authentic, enough to revive your senses and the very essence of your life. Happy life, as they say in Tahiti, and it’s a happy life. Moorea is one of the most memorable places in Tahiti and its islands, the beauty of Moorea will remain forever in your memory.

A natural playground

The calm waters of the lagoon as well as the annual trade winds (April-October) are the door open to many activities: from the outrigger canoe, stand up paddle, windsurfing, water skiing as well as surfing in certain passes . Moorea is a paradise for divers who fall in love with its varied coral ecosystem and its multiple colorful mixtures offered by its underwater life. Whether bottled or snorkeling, you will be able to meet gray rays, sharks, sea turtles in a transparent lagoon sparkling with its wonderful blue shades. On the mountain side, you can observe the lagoon from eight volcanic peaks, ancient centers of magnificent craters and now transformed into a lush valley. The island is the ideal place for a hike, a horse ride, a quad or an exploration in 4 × 4.

A unique & subtle Polynesian atmosphere

Colorful, flowery and enchanted, the island of Moorea is an initiation to the five senses. Stroll along the gardens and the white sandy beaches, you can discover myriads of flowers, each more captivating than the next, with the subtle aroma of the pineapple plantations. You can watch the fishermen return by outrigger canoe or listen to the catchy sound of the ul ukulele played by local players in the shade of the purau, trees (Hibiscus tiliaceus) that grow close to the coast.

A source of inspiration

Painters, wood sculptors, black pearl jewelers and traditional tattoo artists… All are inspired by the humble and serene beauty of Moorea.

Huahine casts a spell upon your arrival. Just 40 minutes from the island of Tahiti by plane, Huahine enchants you with its lush forests, its wild landscape and its picturesque villages. This is one of the best kept secrets of Tahiti, a place where you can live like a local. The deep, crystal-clear lagoon surrounds the two islands that make up Huahine, while beautiful bays and white sandy beaches add magic to the unique atmosphere. Relatively preserved from the developments of modern society, Huahine offers a slower and more peaceful way of life, like in Polynesia of yesteryear. With only eight small villages scattered throughout the island, the few residents welcome visitors with great kindness. It is not surprising that this fertile world offers rich soil providing local farmers with abundant crops of vanilla, melons and bananas.

A daily charm

Often called “the secret island”, “the authentic island” and “the isolated island”, many glowing adjectives come to mind to describe it and for obvious reasons. The island is a subtle blend of landscapes, life and typically Polynesian atmosphere. It combines breathtaking beauty with meeting welcoming locals, endless relaxation and exciting adventures. Île à vivre, let yourself be seduced by Huahine.

Cultural discoveries

Fish parks – an ancestral knowledge still used and found in many marae or archaeological sites – are concentrated around the sacred site of Maeva, a word which means “welcome” in Tahitian. This archaeological site located on the shore of Fauna Nui Lake has a very rich history told in part by a nearby museum, installed under a fare pote’e, a house where ancestral and sacred knowledge and rituals were taught. The simple and charming space offers you some objects and vestiges found during archaeological excavations carried out in the area: oars, axes, pendants made of fish teeth, pestles or even combs for tattooing. In the small village of Faie, you can find sacred eels whose blue eyes will leave you speechless, they will whisper to you the legend of an improbable union between an inhabitant of the island and an eel.

Activities for all

Fare and Parea are home to beautiful white sandy beaches and water and land activities are found throughout the island. You can go on an excursion around the almost unreal bluish-colored lagoon, explore the underwater world (reefs, fish caves and coral gardens), discover one of the most important archaeological sites of Tahiti and its islands. , or even, stroll and fall on a marae every ten meters to experience the gentle rhythm of Huahine. For the more adventurous, deep sea fishing, surfing, hiking, horse riding, kayaking, trekking or even windsurfing can satisfy them.

The heartbeats of Tahiti And Its Islands emanate from a separate site located in Raiatea, the sacred marae of Taputapuatea. Polynesian expansion across the Pacific began very exactly from this site. After receiving blessings during sacred ceremonies and celebrations, the navigators left in traditional canoes to conquer the big blue. They reached Hawaii to the north and New Zealand to the west. Raiatea, which means “distant sky” and “sky with soft light”, was first called “Havai’i” because it was considered the homeland of the ancient Polynesians. Recognized as the most sacred island in the region, the mountains carpeted with greenery rise to the clouds from where the famous Mount Temehani emerges.

Learn more about Raiatea and the islands of Tahiti’s cultural history here.

The cradle of Polynesian culture

Formerly called Hava’i, Raiatea is known as the cradle of the gods and is home to spectacular archaeological treasures (marae, petroglyphs, etc.) that tell the epic story of a civilization and culture unique in the world. As the first Polynesian island to be populated, Raiatea is home to the most spectacular and oldest international marae in the Polynesian triangle. Taputapuatea was the place dedicated to the inaugural ceremonies, political alliances and international meetings. The site was taboo as the center of religious and political power for the entire Polynesian region. Today, the communities of Hawaii, New Zealand and the Cook Islands still meet in this sacred and pilgrimage place which they consider to be the home of their culture.

A paradise for sailing

Raiatea is the most important marina of Tahiti And Its Islands. Most charter companies and marinas have chosen to settle around Raiatea. The island hosts a large number of moorings, as well as bays (deep and calm) in an immaculate and astonishing environment made up of ancient volcanic craters and majestic waterfalls. The sailing conditions are excellent. It’s a pleasure to sail to the other Windward Islands, all as beautiful inside and outside their lagoon.

A unique natural heritage

Raiatea attracts scientists from all over the world and nature lovers because of its endemic species of flora and fauna. Mount Temehani is home to the tiara ‘Apetahi (as well as around 30 other endemic plants), a flower unique in the world that has become the symbol of Raiatea. This delicate, white flower forms a semicircle and flowers only at dawn.

Raiatea is also home to the only navigable river in French Polynesia. Go for a ride aboard an exceptional outrigger canoe in the heart of a dense tropical forest where purau, bamboo and mape (Inocarpus fagiferus) coexist. Legend has it that the river was the starting point for all Polynesian migrations to Hawaii and New Zealand.

Life is beating in slow motion on Taha’a Island. This tranquil island takes you to the rhythm of the traditional and tranquil life of Tahitians. Simple beauty is revealed in this flower-shaped island surrounded by tiny motu with bright beaches and fine white sand. The vanilla-flavored air mixes with the breeze that travels around the many vanilla farms, carrying sweet aromas to the ocean. Offshore, this subtle scent smells of foam, a real sign that the island is close before even seeing its silhouette appear on the horizon.

The nautical charm of the island

Time seems to have stopped in Taha’a, a secret and isolated island. Traveling the paths of the island, travelers will discover preserved vegetation.

Discovering vanilla

Discovering the secrets of vanilla in its natural environment will make you fall in love with Taha’a if you have not already done so. Visitors enjoy the sampling of vanilla (Vanilla tahitensis), a unique and precious vanilla with scents of paradise. An artistic know-how is necessary to cultivate this exquisite spice. It is a skill acquired over time and requires a great deal of experience. Like patient alchemists, specialists pamper their vanilla for several months before the miracle begins.

A big fish

Let yourself be carried like Robinson Crusoe, lying on the fine sand dotted with beautiful palm trees, facing the crystal clear water of the motu of Taha’a. The scenery is perfect in and out of the water. Snorkelers will find many coral heads in this colorful underwater world

Romance. A blue velvet rises from the deep water where the soft hues of the lagoon mingle with the scent of Bora Bora. The touch of the sea breeze resembles a caress and each heartbeat fills with kisses. A short journey of 50 minutes from the island of Tahiti or Moorea, connects to Bora Bora, an endless palette of blues and greens dancing the most beautiful poems of love from the first glance. Romantics from around the world celebrate this island where the tropical slopes and lush valleys of Mount Otemanu bloom with hibiscus, while the motu covered with palm trees surround the illuminated lagoon resembling a delicate necklace.

Perfect white sand beaches combine with azure waters where colorful fish enliven the coral gardens from which majestic and elegant manta rays emerge. You are at the heart of a romantic universe where it is good to relax in the hollow of the overwater bungalows of luxury hotels or SPAs whose thatched roof villas accompany a legendary setting and atmosphere. In other words, Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

A wonderful lagoon

Bora Bora is a volcano sitting on one of the most beautiful lagoons in the elusive world with its infinite shades of blue from the purest to the deepest. The numerous motu line up with their magnificent white sand beaches and palm trees framing the lagoon where a crowd of fish and corals play with the colors of the water.

A paradise on the water

It is in this haven of peace that you can wake up from your overwater bungalow, lulled by the romantic and enchanting air. From a room, a suite or a floating villa, treat yourself while enjoying a sunset over the lagoon. Designed and built according to the Tahitian style, the bungalows offer direct access to the sea and are the ideal places to live passion and relaxation.

Lots of activities

The undulations of the lagoon rocked by the movements of manta rays, sharks and napoleons, will welcome you during scuba diving, scuba diving or simply, through the glass bottom of your boat. Explore the lagoon by jet ski, paddle, outrigger canoe, sailboat, or step out of the lagoon for scuba diving and deep sea fishing.

There are places in Tahiti And Its Islands where you can relax in five star hotels, and there are places where you can immerse yourself in local daily life by living to the rhythm of the island, Polynesian style. If you are looking for a place where the brand names are sand, sea, sun, weather and tide, Maupiti will hug you and cuddle you like a member of your family.

Located 315 km northwest of the island of Tahiti and 40 km west of Bora Bora, Maupiti is a tiny island (11 km), isolated and authentic. Whether you fly from Papeete or the boat from Bora Bora, Maupiti will immediately captivate you with its splendor and tranquil rhythm. Magnificent landscapes, countless white sandy beaches on both the island and the motu, legendary peaks and ancient sites blend perfectly with the friendly and smiling lifestyle of the islanders.

A picturesque little island

The unequaled charm of Maupiti is reflected in each family home where you will be welcomed and mixed with the lifestyle of the island. Here, you can travel by bike or canoe to take your time wonderfully, to explore this magic woven by the island in complete privacy, at the risk of being the victim of your fate and not wanting to leave it. Take a walk along the small road or explore the heart of the lagoon of the charming and magnificent Maupiti.

Cultural wealth

Many marae and important are found in Maupiti like Vaiahu, Ofera, pre-European sites full of history or petroglyphs carved on huge rocks in the Haranae valley. It is here, in the heart of the Vaitia Valley, that the legendary canoe of Hiro, a demi-god and Polynesian hero, is found. Throughout Tahiti and its islands, the link between nature and legends intersects to the point of becoming a harmonious whole.

Unusual discoveries

The ascent of Mount Teurafaatiu to 381 meters offers an incredible panoramic view. The 360 ​​° view of the lagoon and the motu rocked by the silhouette of Bora Bora in the distance, is unforgettable. From the superb and picturesque Tereia beach, you can walk to Motu Auria through shallow sandy paths in the company of rays. Cliffs, caves and other local discoveries await the most intrepid traveler looking to discover something unique.