Top Ten Best Tropical Islands By Nomadic Matt (Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer) Part 6 (This article has been re-formated to fit our Facebook page format.) Tahiti (French Polynesia) Tahiti is the largest of the French Polynesian islands and is as popular as Bora Bora. You know those pictures you always see of tropical bungalows in the water? That’s Tahiti. The name has long been synonymous with tropical paradise. One of the biggest honeymoon destinations in the world, Tahiti offers pure paradise and a lot of romance. Here you can relax in the sun, scuba dive, enjoy fine seafood, and take a morning dip right from your bungalow. The island is expensive and caters to a more affluent tourist crowd. The weather is tropical all year round and very humid, though May to October sees cooler temperatures. Typical Costs of French Polynesia - Accommodation: A night in a hostel dorm costs from $50 USD with budget hotels starting at $110 USD. Those picture perfect bungalows cost hundreds per night. There is very little budget accommodation to be found in this island chain. - Food: By eating from the local snack bars on the road, you can expect to pay around $10 USD per day for food. A meal in a casual restaurant will cost around $15 USD. If you eat at the resorts and hotels, you’ll pay from $25 or more for a meal. - Transportation: A bus ticket around the island costs around $2 USD. An island hopping air pass is a good option if you’re planning to explore a few of the islands. These cost $415 USD from Air Tahiti. - Activities: Diving and other day water activities cost around $100 USD. Money Saving Tips - Cycle around – Most of the islands are perfect for exploring on a bike rather than car. It is a far more expensive choice. - Use the free gear – Hostels and hotels often offer their guests free use of kayaks and bikes. Bring your own snorkeling gear here to avoid renting them. - Les Roulottes - These are portable food wagons which offer great value meals for less than 1500 XPF. If you eat at the resorts, you’ll spend triple that. Eat the local food, save money. - Travel off-season – For discounts on accommodation and attractions, consider scheduling your visit during the off-season of November to May (excluding Christmas). - Book a package trip - French Polynesia is one of those places where a package might sometimes be your best option. Look into getting a combined air and hotel package and you can sometimes save 30% off. Meals are sometimes included. Top Things to Do - Go Diving – Rangiroa offers French Polynesia’s best diving. it is the South Pacific’s largest atoll and one of the largest in the world. Hordes of marine life including barracuda, tuna, turtles and dolphins can be found in the waters as well as hammerhead sharks and manta rays. If you dive, you shouldn’t miss doing it here - Go Surfing – The giant breaks at Teahupoo create amazing waves which can challenge all abilities. There are several surf schools on the island of Tahiti and board rental is available in Papeete. The surf is also good off the coast of Moorea. - Explore Bora Bora – Bora Bora is located about 140 miles northwest of Papeete and is famous for being the ultimate island paradise (and the ultimate place to hurt your wallet.) This is where honeymooners and celebrities enjoy luxurious bungalows. Its famous blue lagoon is the ideal place to try out jetskiing, paragliding or any other water sport. The jungles also offer some great hiking. This place is paradise, it’s a shame that is is just so expensive. - Tahiti – Tahiti is the largest of the French Polynesian islands and is as popular as Bora Bora. In fact, most people combine a trip to both islands when they visit the country. Try to visit the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands to get an insight in to Polynesia culture. Additionally, Le Merche is the place to try local cuisine and pick up bargains on jewellery and handicrafts. - See the diverse wildlife – Most of wildlife here is found in the lagoons and surrounding waters as there are very few indigenous animals on land. Diving offers great chance to check out the country’s underwater wildlife. On land, bird watchers will not be disappointed with sightings of kingfishers and rate Nuku Hiva pigeons among others. - Head out to Fatu Hiva – Fatu Hiva is the southernmost of the Marquesas Islands and is certainly the most isolated. The Bay of Virgins is often described as the most stunning in Polynesia to see. Sadly, there are no beaches on the island. Instead you are met with the rugged beauty of the cliff edges, ravines and jungles. The snorkeling and diving here is some of the best in the chain. - Belvedere Lookout, Moorea – Situated on Moorea, Belvedere Lookout offers the sweeping views of the island and certainly warrants the hike up. A number of marae (traditional temples) are scattered in the area just off the main road leading up to the lookout. - Visit a Marae – Marae are Polynesian temples where people came to offer up gifts to the Gods. The most impressive is Taputapuatea on the island of Raiatea but fans of Polynesian archaeology will also enjoy a trip to the Opunohu Valley, which stretches from the head of Cook’s Bay up towards Belvédère on Moorea Island and has marae dotted all over the walking trail. - Go whale watching - June and July marks whale watching season in the Austral Islands south of Tahiti. Pods of humpback whales swim to Rurutu and Tubuai from Antarctica to bear their young and this makes for one of the most spectacular sights you are likely to see on your travels. - Gauguin Museum – This museum is host to many reproductions of Paul Gauguin’s paintings. His colorful style brought fame to the islands and he lived out his last years here painting traditional life. Though not all originals, if you haven’t seen a wide collection of his works, this would be a good place to start. - Harrison Smith Botanical Gardens – These tropical gardens span over 135 hectares. There are hundreds of trees, shrubs, plants, flowers, and even lily ponds.It is located right next to the Gauguin Museum. - Ua Pou – This dry desert island has oasis-like valleys filled with tropical fruit. There is enough to feed more than 10 times the amount of the population. It is just south of Nuku Hiva and is noted as an island rich in culture and arts. - Mataiva – Although there is little in the way of tourist ‘attractions’ on this island, there are easily accessible beaches, multiple snorkeling spots, and lots of beautiful fish. In the Tuamotus, you will also find a few noteworthy archaeological sites. To be continues. From Nomadic Matt Website.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Oct 2013 04:57:16 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015