The most popular islands are Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora (which are high volcanic islands) and Rangiroa, Manihi, Tikehau and Fakarava (flat atolls), and the beautiful high island of Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa of the Marquesas archilelago.
Those islands are the only ones which have classify deluxe, first class and moderate hotels.
The remote islands are all the other islands of French Polynesia. Some of them can accommodate people in Polynesian guest houses.
Society Islands
The Society islands archipelago (composed of the Winward islands and the Leeward islands) is a group of high, tropical islands, surrounded by lagoons : Volcanic peaks that reflect in the tranquil waters of the lagoons, full of marine life. Coconut grove islets fringed with white sand and coral gardens.
Bora Bora - (GIE- Philippe Bacchet)
Tuamotu Islands
The largest of the polynesian archipelago includes 76 islands and atolls extending over more than 20 000 km². Asleep for many years, now it has come back to life through the establishement of some 250 pearls farms and tourism based on rich scuba diving sites which make it a winning destination.
Pink sand beach in Tuamotu - (GIE - Kirklandphotos.com)
Marquesas Islands
The Marquesas archipelago (1500km northeast of Tahiti), with its powerful landscapes, its cliffs and sharp peaks and its deep valleys, imposes its differences.
Tatoo, sculpture and handicrafts, symbol of the genuine revival of Marquesan culture, are developing and safeguarding of ancient patterns and techniques.
In Hiva Oa, Paul Guaugin and Jacques brel both chose to live here and reconnect with the strong emotions their art required, in this land where horses roam free, where nature still rules the destiny of men.
Baie des Vierges - (GIE - F. Payet)
Austral Islands
More than 600km from Tahiti, the Austral islands retain the intact seductiveness of a wild, preserved and mysterious land.
People here master all traditionnal crafts, especially weaving.
At sea, from july to october, humpback whales come to breed and provide unforgetable show for those lucky enough to observe them.
Whale near Rurutu - (GIE - Lionel Pozzoli)
Gambier Islands
Located more than 1700km east of Tahiti, the Gambier archipelago is a little off the beaten tourist track but its rare atmosphere of history and mistery make the trip worthwhile : untouched natural ressources, numerous inhabited atolls, and bays and creeks abounding in fish.
Cradle of catholicism in Polynesia, it features many remnants of religious buildings from the mid-1800s.
Mangareva landscape - (GIE - Philippe Bacchet)