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Tahiti Travel

Over the years Tahiti Island has been named many things - Land of the Double Rainbows, Romantic Isle, Beloved Island, Land of Illusion and the Island of Love. Tahiti is the most famous island in the South Seas - Queen of the Pacific. Tahiti Island  has the two highest mountain peaks in Polynesia reaching over 7000ft. Tahiti although an island, also identifies the group of islands that make up French Polynesia.

When Captain Bligh sailed the HMS Bounty to Tahiti's shores in 1788 to collect breadfruit plants, the breathtaking beauty and warm hospitality of it's people so entranced his crew, it resulted in the notorious "Mutiny on the Bounty".

Tahiti is the largest of the 118 islands that make up French Polynesia and is 402 square miles. Tahiti island is comprised of two areas and appropriately named big Tahiti (Tahiti Nui) and little Tahiti (Tahiti Iti).

Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia. Located on Tahiti's north coast, Papeete is a popular Tahiti travel destination. The population of this city is estimated at over 220,000. Papeete's name comes from a Tahitian word that means basket of waters. The town runs long the waterfront about 3 miles from the airport and faces its sister island of Moorea across the Sea of Moons.

Tahiti Island's harbor is an international port as well home to the many cruise ships, fishing boats and ferries. Thousands of visitors enjoy Tahiti vacations yearly. Tahiti Island accommodations range from luxury rooms with ocean views to moderate and inexpensive hotel rooms in town.

Papeete is host to a wonderful outdoor market that is well worth a visit during your Tahiti travel trip. It offers wonderful fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables as well as amazingly colorful fresh fish. You can also pick up some great souvenirs on the second floor. Tahiti Island dining includes several excellent restaurants in and around Papeete with menus offering French, Chinese, Italian and American choices.

If you really want to experience the local food culture on your Tahiti vacation, the waterfront area becomes alive with roulettes (mobile dining vans) after 6pm. They offer an amazing array of steak-frites, grilled fish among others and sometimes are still going after 2am!

Heading away from Papeete the scenery changes to incorporate lush tropical greenery. Breathtaking waterfalls can be found during your Tahiti vacation by experiencing an all day 4x4 wheel drive expedition that takes in plenty of rivers, streams and climbs high into the mountains.

Include a drive around Tahiti Nui (big Tahiti) in your Tahiti travel plans. The 71-mile road winds between the mountains and the sea and offers spectacular views along the way. Tahiti Iti (little Tahiti) offers a road that follows each coast for 12 miles again with beautiful vistas. Other Tahiti Island activities include golf, fly surfing, and sail boat charters.

Although a Tahiti vacation offers beautiful scenery and there are many things to see and do, the large population and all that goes with it doesn't make this island a spot to visit for more than a few days.