Matador's Ultimate Guide to French Polynesia

Explore these 118 spectacular atolls in the South Pacific Ocean ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Polynesia Islands]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to French Polynesia Hi all, French Polynesia is so much more than just a luxurious vacation spot. Spanning 1,200 miles, and separated into five archipelagos in the South Pacific Ocean, this mesmerizing destination offers travelers glimpses of paradise on Earth. Take an adventure beneath crystal-clear waters to discover vibrant coral reefs teeming with captivating marine life or stay in one of their iconic above-water bungalows (which were actually invented here). Although laying on their picture-perfect white sand beaches all day sounds like a dream, don't miss an opportunity to understand and support the local Polynesian culture too. An idyllic escape awaits you among the lush islands of Tahiti. This week, Matador explores French Polynesia. [Let’s dive in](. [EXPLORE FRENCH POLYNESIA](  GET INSPIRED [Playa Manuel Antonio]( Forget Bora Bora. The Best Island To Visit in Tahiti Is Moorea. Mention Tahiti and visions of turquoise lagoons and regal palm trees probably come to mind. But Tahiti is in fact just one of 118 islands that together make up the area known as French Polynesia or The Islands of Tahiti. Bora Bora, famed for its luxury overwater bungalows, is the most photographed isle of the bunch, but a far lesser-visited island may be an even better place to spend your time in French Polynesia: Moorea. Moorea offers up its own beautifully hued waters and impossibly white sand, all backed by stunning mountain peaks. [READ MORE]( [Bora Bora]( Beyond Tahiti, Here Are Some Stunning Family-Friendly Islands To Visit in French Polynesia Paradise really does exist here on Earth and it’s found in French Polynesia.  Beyond swimming and water activities, families can enjoy a pleasant climate and a range of accommodation options including brand-name resorts. From Tahiti to the well-known Bora Bora through to lesser-visited islands such as Raiatea, here’s a rundown of five stunning family-friendly islands in French Polynesia. [READ MORE]( [Bora Bora]( 12 Things You Didn’t Know About The Islands of Tahiti The name Tahiti likely evokes images of palm trees, white-sand beaches, and turquoise lagoons — which is totally accurate. But the postcard version of a place is never anywhere near the whole story. Here are 12 things you might not know about these legendary South Pacific islands. [READ MORE](  NATURE + ADVENTURE [Juan Castro Blanco National Park]( 8 Dreamy Experiences in French Polynesia, From Paddling a Va’a To Diving With Eagle Rays In recent years, tourism has brought people from around the world to these paradisiacal islands. French Polynesia actively leans into that tourism boom by leveraging its culture and traditions to appeal to global travelers anxious to trade in their laptops and team-building sessions for lagoons and tiki statues. If you’re thinking about visiting these idyllic South Pacific islands, here are eight experiences not to miss. [READ MORE]( [sharks]( You Can Swim Through a Terrifying Wall of Sharks in French Polynesia Swimming through a wall of sharks seems far-fetched but is actually possible once a year in Fakarava Atoll in French Polynesia. The 35-mile rectangular stretch of coral in the South Pacific is home to a small, 100-yard-wide channel called the South Pass, which for the weeks surrounding the summer solstice is filled with a venerable wall of sharks. [READ MORE]( [whale shark]( 9 Under-the-Radar Experiences To Consider on The Islands of Tahiti Though the beaches are picture perfect, don't spend all your time just lying on the beach. Choose an epic adventure to fully immerse yourself in island life. Get up close and personal with stingrays and sharks, dive for your own Tahitian cultured pearl, and experience the Bora Bora Liquid Festival. Here are the best experiences to include in your dream vacation. [READ MORE](  FOOD + CULTURE [Piña Colada]( In French Polynesia, Ditch the Jetski and Get To Know the Island’s Indigenous Culture Though these islands may seem like the edge of the world, mere specks of land on a vast, watery horizon. But there’s nothing remote about it. For centuries, French Polynesia has been one of the busiest places in the South Pacific. But it would be a shame to limit one’s time to cliché attractions when, with little effort and great satisfaction, a traveler can dive into (and support) the Indigenous culture of French Polynesia. [READ MORE]( [Yaucromatic]( Chow Mein Sandwiches, Mustard Wontons, and Fruit: a Tour of French Polynesian Street Food You need to try a local specialty when you travel here: the chow mein sandwich. Here's where to go to try the famous sandwich and other delicious local snacks. [READ MORE]( [Papeete]( On Tahiti’s Main Island, History, Culture, and Nature Shine With neither a grass skirt nor a fragrant frangipani lei to welcome them, most foreigners arrive in French Polynesia via Papeete to find a bland international airport. Papeete is greatly lacking in tropical charm, despite the fact that it’s a capital city in the South Pacific. But for those with a sense of adventure and the keys to a rental car (easily booked in advance at the airport or in town), the main island of Tahiti has plenty of alluring sights. And most of them can be seen in a single afternoon. [READ MORE](  EPIC STAYS Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [Overwater Bungalows]( [Four Seasons]( [Nayara Gardens, Nayara Springs]( [GuideGeek](  [Facebook](  [Twitter](  [Linkedin](  [Youtube](  [Instagram](  [Tiktok](  [Pinterest]( [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here](. Or [unsubscribe from our newsletter.]( We'll be here when you need us! Copyright © 2023 Matador Network, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Matador Network, PO Box 7775, Suite 40021, San Francisco, CA 94120, United States Â