This is what you picture as 'paradise on earth’ - Azure blue lagoons, secluded white sand beaches, natural beauty beyond compare, world class diving, snorkeling, lagoon cruising, jeep safaris through lush green mountains, Polynesian Spas, Overwater Bungalows, canoe breakfasts all complemented by the warmth of the Polynesian people. Tahiti and Her Islands are considered the most romantic and beautiful on earth, they are the islands of love!

The islands collectively known as 'Tahiti' actually consists of 118 spectacular islands located in five island groups: the Society Islands, the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, the Austral and the Gambier archipelago. Located in the same time zone as Hawaii, the islands of French Polynesia are located half way between California and Australia.

French Polynesia enjoys a warm tropical climate year round with an average yearly temperature of 79F and an average ocean and water temperature of 80F. Visitors will be charmed by the Polynesian and French influences around the islands. French and Tahitian are the official languages of the islands. However, English is spoken and understood in tourist areas.


Attractions:
With its exciting mix of cultures, French Polynesia promises visitors an exciting tropical getaway. Consisting of 118 South Pacific islands and atolls, French Polynesia is a wonderful destination for travelers who enjoy water activities. There are a number of scuba outfitters who will help visitors make the most of their dives. Being surrounded by many varieties of animal life, including brightly colored schools of fish, coral, and sponges, scuba diving in French Polynesia is an exciting adventure for both beginners and experienced divers. Snorkeling is also very popular with the islanders. With good snorkeling spots located near just about every hotel and beach hut, travelers never have to venture far to find an exciting underwater exploration. Although there are many places on the islands to rent snorkeling equipment, many returned visitors suggest that you take your own equipment with you to ensure that your mask does not leak and that all of your gear fits well. French Polynesia has a long history of surfing. According to some accounts, the native Polynesian people were the first to take to the waves on wooden planks. Just about every island has some great surfing spots, but the best locations are at the open ocean entryways into lagoons. Called passes, these areas allow large waves to form but allow surfers to avoid the coral that surrounds the lagoon.

Tahiti - Polynesia Map

The Sofitel Marara Bora Bora has reopened after an $18 million renovation that began a year ago to transfer the hotel into what the French Accor Group is billing as "essentially a brand new resort". It has also been renamed "Sofitel Bora Bora Beach Resort".
Among the many new attractions are the revamped 13 over-the-water bungalows and 11 lagoon front bungalows. They join the 29 garden and 11 beach bungalows; one deluxe villa and other facilities
Besides the bungalows, all public areas have been revamped, the pool has been enlarged and the beach extended.
Italian film producer Dino de Laurentis built the Sofitel Marara in 1977 to house movie star Mia Farrow and the rest of the cast, as well as crew membersof his film "Hurricane".
The Hurricane Bar and the Latitude 16° Restaurant are obvious reminders of the hotel's Hollywood-inspired past. Other new facilities include the ultra-modern Wakaba Japanese Restaurant, which serves Teppanyaki-style meals, an infinity swimming pool overlooking the ocean and Le Spa by Accor.
At Le Spa, guests have a choice from a range of massage and beauty treatments using the bounty of Tahiti's local plant life and traditional techniques as well as Thalassa therapies.
The bungalows offer guests plasma televisions with satellite hookup, plush daybeds, new showers with mosaic stone tiles and large raindrop showerheads, fully stocked mini-bars and Sofitel signatures of luxurious Roger & Gallet bathroom amenities, fresh flowers and the patented Sofitel MyBed, which delivers unparalleled comfort for the ultimate night's sleep.
The over-the-water bungalows provide guests with spacious decks over the lagoon with bamboo screening for complete privacy and in-floor viewing platforms, illuminated at night, so guests can watch the colorful fish swimming by directly underneath.
Sofitel's garden, beach and lagoon front bungalows feature smaller decks and boast hammocks in the gardens for the ultimate in tropical relaxation. They are surrounded by lush greenery and exotic flowers and boast views over the gardens or the lagoon to" the nearby Leeward Islands of Raiatea and Taha'a on the horizon.
The Latitude 16° Restaurant, which is open all day, and the Hurricane Bar have been renovated and upgraded. The restaurant offers an array of French, international and local dishes as guests enjoy a view overlooking the lagoon. The Hurricane Bar provides alfresco poolside snacks and cocktails with live entertainment.
The Wakaba Teppanyaki Restaurant offers an ultra-stylish setting for a true dining experience with gleaming stainless, natural stone and wood features. It serves fresh sushi, Japanese specialties and theme menus."

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