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Mo'orea -

Mo'orea is one of the Windward Islands—the eastern group of the Society Islands. Lying 11 mi (17 km) northwest of Tahiti, Mo'orea's stunning scenery makes it a popular tourist destination.c

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Mo'orea - Mo'orea is also a favorite getaway for honeymooners drawn to the island's tropical landscape and romantic aura. In fact, Mo'orea is considered by many travel writers as the most beautiful island in the world.

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Mo'orea - A challenging hiking destination, Mo'orea's undulating terrain offers up some rewarding trails that wind through rain forest on the slopes of Mount Tohivea. An eye-popping panorama can be enjoyed from the overview over Mount Rotui (pictured), which takes in Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay.

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Nuku Hiva - Numerous picturesque bays, tumbling waterfalls, and deep verdant valleys make Nuku Hiva a big hit with visitors and especially those arriving by cruise ship. Pictured is a liner at anchor in Taioha'e Bay.

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Nuku Hiva -

Dark brooding basalt rock formations characterize the interior of Nuku Hiva, the largest of the Marquesas Islands. Tekao, the island's highest peak, summits at 4,016 ft (1,224 m) and catches much of the rain that waters the island.

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Tahiti - The largest island in the Windward Islands group, Tahiti is the economic, cultural, and political center of French Polynesia.

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Tahiti - The capital, Papeete, is located on the island's northwest coast. One of Papeete's main sites is the landmark Marché de Papeete, a large covered public market selling local souvenirs, crafts, and food.

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Paul Gauguin (1848–1903) -

The celebrated French post-Impressionist artist first visited Tahiti in 1891. Later, after a brief spell back in France, he returned there in 1895. Gauguin finally settled in Atuona, on the island of Hiva Ova, where he died in 1903 and is buried. One of his most famous paintings, Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?, was created in Tahiti in 1897.

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French Polynesian cuisine -

As you'd expect, fish and seafood feature heavily on restaurant menus. Tahiti's national dish is poisson cru—raw seafood  marinated in lemon or lime juice and mixed with coconut milk. It's the South Pacific take on Peruvian ceviche.

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French Polynesian cuisine -

Tahitian tuna salad is another colorful and wholesome dish. Tuna is a regional staple and prepared across the South Pacific in all sorts of delicious and enticing ways.

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Tahiti - The Tahitian pearl is French Polynesia’s largest export, making up over 50% of the country's annual exports of US$20 million. To learn more about this exquisite organic gem, browse the Robert Wan Pearl Museum in Papeete, the world's only museum dedicated to pearls. The island of Taha'a and the Rangiroa Atoll are particularly known for the exceptional quality of their pearls.

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Rangiroa Atoll - Rangiroa Atoll, located 220 mi (355 km) northeast of Tahiti in the Tuamotu archipelago, is celebrated for its thriving pearl farming industry. The island is also unique for its vineyards and specialist wine production. The winery is found in the village of Avatoru.

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Huahine - Made up of two main islands surrounded by a fringing coral reef with several islets, Huahine is recognized for the Fa'ahia archaeological site in the north of the island. Here, the subfossil remains of several species of extinct birds have been unearthed.

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Hiva Oa -

One of the Marquesas Islands, Hiva Oa is recognized for its abundance of tiki—ancient monumental stone statues. The cluster sited near the village of Puama'u is especially impressive.

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Bird life - The Marquesas is one of the most important archipelagos for bird conservation in the world: it is home to 22 bird species alone. But across the region, "birders" will be rewarded with a staggering array of bird life. Though common and widespread, the white tern (pictured) is a much-loved species and is affectionately known as the fairy tern.

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Marine life - French Polynesia's pristine underwater environment is a haven for an astonishing variety of marine fauna. Delve beneath the sea and you'll meet rays, turtles, sharks, and other colorful and exotic animals of the deep. No wonder some of the best dive sites in the world are located here!

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Marine life - A popular excursion option is shark watching. Numerous species of these sleek predators can be seen year-round in waters off the islands, including the whitetip lagoon shark, grey reef shark, lemon shark, and the blacktip reef shark (pictured).

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Tetiaroa Atoll -

This atoll in the Windward group of the Society Islands is famous for being Marlon Brando's tropical retreat. The late actor starred in 'Mutiny on the Bounty' (1962), which was filmed on Tahiti. Brando purchased several islets (motus) here. Today, The Brando is a private resort located on Motu Onetahi.

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Maupiti -

Located in the western Leeward Islands, Maupiti receives few visitors, which means its ivory-white beaches are all yours. Mind you, there is archaeological evidence of human activity dating back to at least 850 CE. 

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Bora Bora - A shining jewel in the French Polynesian vacation crown, Bora Bora is one of the world's major international tourist destinations.

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Bora Bora - One of the Leeward islands in the Society Islands, Bora Bora is celebrated for its aqua-centric luxury resorts and glittering A-list clientele.

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Bora Bora - The island was once known as Pora pora mai te pora, meaning "created by the gods" in the local Tahitian dialect. Later abbreviated to Pora Pora, the name eventually ended up being spelled as Bora Bora. Either way, this is one destination that truly does appear to have been blessed by higher beings.

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Bora Bora - Try to make your trip to the region coincide with the Heiva i Bora Bora in July. This unique and authentic celebration of Polynesian history and culture is a month-long calendar of music, song, and other festive events.

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Bora Bora -

The first property to cater to international tourists was the fabled Hotel Bora Bora, which opened in 1961. Notable guests have included Bill Gates, Charlize Theron, and Keanu Reeves. The hotel is now closed indefinitely after what was supposed to be a major refurbishment.

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The overwater bungalow concept - Hotel Bora Bora was the first hotel to offer overwater bungalow accommodation, today a common luxury resort design feature across the region.

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Island high life - This incredible satellite image shows the islands of Bora Bora (left), Taha'a (center) and Raiatea (right).

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Taha'a -

This Leeward Islands destination is known as the "Vanilla Island" for its abundance of vanilla plant (pictured). Taha'a produces nearly 80% of all of French Polynesia's vanilla.

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Raiatea -

The second largest of the Society Islands, Raiatea is the location of the historic Taputapuatea marae, an ancient sacred temple complex comprising paved courtyards and a number of carved tiki. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Mangareva -

Mangareva, the largest island of the Gambier Islands, is the location of St. Michael's Cathedral, the largest church in the South Pacific. The interior is richly decorated with sparkling mother of pearl.

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Watersports - The warm turquoise-blue waters of the South Pacific endow French Polynesia with an enviable reputation as one of the world's top watersports destinations. Scuba diving is arguably the most popular leisure pursuit, but more extreme pastimes such as surfing and kiteboarding enjoy a loyal following.

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Surfing -

French Polynesia is renowned for its reef break waves. At Teahupo'o on Tahiti, conditions are regularly ranked among the best in the world. This site hosts the annual Billabong Pro Tahiti surf competition, which attracts pro surfers from around the world, including the likes of Kelly Slater (pictured).

See also: Nazaré—the most dangerous surfing destination in the world

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