FAQs Where is Tahiti?How long does it take to get there?Does Tahiti have more than one island?What documents are needed to travel?Do we need to exchange money?Is English spoken in Tahiti?What about tipping?Do the hotel rooms have air conditioning?What is the voltage?Is it safe to drink the water?What are the seasons and climate?What is the water temperature?What activities are there?Which Islands offer the best diving?Where are the best surfing spots to befound? |  How do we get around?Is there any shopping? What souvenirsshould I bring back? Is there any night life?What clothes should I bring?Absolute musts to bring! | |
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| Where is Tahiti? Tahiti lies in the South Pacific, approximately halfway between Sydney and Los Angeles, south of the equator and in the same time zone as Hawaii. How long does it take to get there? Direct flights from Sydney take approx. 7 hours while flights ex Brisbane and Melbourne take approx 8 hours flying time with a connection via Auckland. Does Tahiti have more than one island? Tahiti is the largest of 118 islands and atolls that comprise the region known as French Polynesia. The islands are sprinkled over 5 million sq. km. of ocean in the South Pacific and consists of five island groups, or archipelagos. The island of Tahiti is located among the Society Islands, which also includes the islands of Moorea and Bora Bora. What documents are needed to travel? All Australian citizens must have a valid passport and a round-trip ticket. Visas are not required for Australian citizens; visitors will be granted a 3-month stay. Citizens of other countries should consult their travel agent or the French Consulate. Do we need to exchange money? It's recommended to exchange some money before departure. US currency is widely accepted and Australian currency can be exchanged at most hotels and banks. The currency used in French Polynesia is the French Pacific Franc or FCFP. There are approximately 75 FCFP (Pacific francs) to one AUD dollar, although actual rates may vary. Is English spoken in Tahiti? French and Tahitian are the official languages, but English is spoken in virtually all tourist locations. What about tipping? Tipping is not customary and not expected. In return for service, a friendly smile is appropriate. Do the hotel rooms have air conditioning? Many do; however, most over-water bungalows are cooled by ceiling fans that draw in the fresh tropical breezes. What is the voltage? The current is 110 or 220 volts, depending on your location. An adaptor is recommended for appliances you bring with you. Tahitian electrical sockets use a standard European 2 pin plug formation. Is it safe to drink the water? Yes, but most hotels also offer bottled water. What are the seasons and climate? Cooled by the gentle breezes of the South Pacific, the climate is ideal. There are just 2 seasons. The wet season is from December through March, when the climate is slightly warmer and more humid. The dry season is from April through August when the climate is slightly less humid and drier. The average year round temperature is 26°- 28° Celsius. What is the water temperature? The water temperature averages 26° C in the winter and 29° C in the summer, with less than one degree of variation from the surface down to 45m. What activities are there? Snorkelling, scuba diving, four-wheel jeep safaris, shark feeding, bike riding, water sports, tennis, horseback riding, deep-sea fishing, lagoonariums, sailing, windsurfing, island tours, helicopter rides, and various cultural tours including museums and ancient maraes (temples). Most resorts provide complimentary snorkelling equipment. Which Islands offer the best diving? Tahiti, Bora Bora, Fakareva, Moorea, Raiatea, Rangiroa. Where are the best surfing spots to be found? Tahiti: Papara, Teahupoo, Papenoo; Huahine: Between Motu Vavaratea and Motu Murimaora; Moorea: Opunohu Baie, Haapiti, Maatea. How do we get around? Taxis, buses, and car rentals are available. Because the islands are so small, bicycling is a popular form of transportation. The most common form of transportation is "Le Truck," the public open-air bus service that is very inexpensive. Is there any shopping? What souvenirs should I bring back? Shops usually open about 7:30 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. (Noon on Saturdays), however many close for lunch between 12-2pm. Duty-free shopping is mainly available on Tahiti only. Except in hotels, all shops are closed on Sundays. Le Marche, the bustling public market in Papeete (Monday-Saturday, 4am-4pm; Sunday, 4am-8am), is the ideal place to find all the typically Tahitian arts, crafts and souvenirs, including the colourful pareus, coconut and tiare soaps, monoi oil, vanilla beans, Hinano beer, shell leis, wood carvings and woven hats and baskets. And remember, Tahiti is internationally renowned for the best quality black pearls in the world! Is there any night life? Music and dancing tell the story of the Tahitian people. Most hotels feature evening entertainment by beautifully costumed dancers who perform with sensuality and grace. Club dancing is only available in downtown Papeete on the main island of Tahiti. What clothes should I bring? Pack lightweight, loose-fitting cotton washables. Synthetic fabrics can get hot and sticky in the tropics. Casual slacks and sport shirts are fine for men at dinner. Local women wear shorts or casual slacks during the day and cool, colourful dresses at night. Absolute musts to bring! Sunscreen lotion; insect repellent; toiletries; old sneakers; water resistant footwear for walking amidst coral in the water and along the beaches; a baseball cap or wide brimmed hat; swimsuits; clothes that dry quickly, in case you get caught in a tropical downpour; your camera; and plenty of film (each person is allowed to bring in 10 rolls duty-free). | ||
Tahiti Tiare Agents have been trained to ensure you have the best travel experience to Tahiti & Her Islands
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