French Polynesia：A Hundred Islands Attracting Tourists with Lagoons Filled with Thousands of Colorful Fish

French Polynesia is a French overseas territory made up from over 100 islands on the south Pacific Ocean. French Polynesia is famous for its remarkable natural beauty: turquoise waters, sandy beaches, jagged mountains, lush foliage, tropical palm trees and coral lagoons. French Polynesia is a fantastic destination, whether you are looking for a relaxed holiday or an action-packed adventure. Read on for the top ten places worth sightseeing while in French Polynesia.

1. Lagoonarium (Papeete)

Lagoonarium is a coral garden located in the lagoon by the tiny island Motu Ahi, just off the coast of the Moorea island in the French Polynesia. Here fish are fed twice a day, which results in stingrays, sharks, moray eels, clown-fish and many colorful fish frequenting the Lagoonarium waters. Tourists are invited to swim, snorkel and get very close to the animals. The fish are fed every day at 11:30 AM and 2 PM and we highly recommend seeing this. The Lagoonarium has many over-water, private huts in which tourists can relax and observe the fish of French Polynesia. Sightseeing tourists can bring their own equipment or rent the necessary things at the Lagoonarium. Please note the Lagoonarium only accepts cash payments.

2. Magic Mountain (Papeotai)

Magic Mountain towers over the Moorea island in the French Polynesia. The mountain offers spectacular views from its summit. The many blue and turquoise hues of the surrounding ocean can really be appreciated here. On the way up, sightseeing tourist can view ancient Marae ruins and a pineapple farm. There are many ways sightseeing tourists can get to the summit including, but not limited to, a jeep ride, hiking or driving up on a rented quad bike. The road up Magic Mountain is very steep and offers a lot of excitement.

3. Taputapuātea Marae (Opoa)

Taputapuātea Marae is a sacred place, located about 25 kilometers from Uturoa, the main village on the Raiatea island in the French Polynesia. Taputapuātea Marae has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in July 2017. It is a historic destination well-worth sightseeing. Tourists who visit Taputapuātea Marae will enjoy learning about the fascinating Polynesian culture and history. Marae, in Polynesian culture, is a place where the sphere of the living, called Te Ao, connects with the sphere of gods and ancestors, called Te Po. Taputapuātea Marae represents the culture and traditions of French Polynesia which spans over 1000 years. It is really worth sightseeing.

4. Matira Beach (Bora Bora)

Matira Beach is a highly recommended beach on the Bora Bora island in the French Polynesia. The beach is long, the sand is white and soft and the palm trees offer shade. The waters at Matira Beach are calm and shallow making it a fantastic place for novice swimmers, beginner snorkelers and families with young kids. There are still corals here and many small fish to view. The beach is renowned for its calmness and lack of crowds. There are several excellent restaurants, great cafés and good bars by the beach, where tourists can grab a bite after sightseeing.

5. Tahiti Iti (Teahupoo)

Tahiti Iti is the south-east part of the Tahiti island in the French Polynesia. Tahiti Iti is off-the-beaten track, but highly recommended for a sightseeing visit. Tahiti Iti offers visitors lots of places for sightseeing, including traditional Polynesian villages, beaches, waterfalls, archaeological sites and caves. It is best to visit Tahiti Iti, and indeed the rest of French Polynesia, between May and October when it is out of rainy season. The village of Teahupoo with its beach Havaa Pass in Tahiti Iti is considered one of the best surfing spots in French Polynesia. The Billabong Pro surfing competition is held here each May.

6. Tiki Village Cultural Centre

Tiki Village Cultural Center is a model old Tahitian village, on the Moorea island in the French Polynesia. It is recommended to come sightseeing here as there are demonstrations of traditional arts and crafts. There are also concerts of traditional French Polynesian music and dance demonstrations given here, which many sightseeing tourists find particularly enjoyable. Visitors sightseeing the Tiki Village can enjoy learning about the history and culture of French Polynesia while having their dinner. The village is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM and on the same days, except Wednesdays in the evenings from 6 PM to 10:30 PM.

7. Moorea Dolphin Center (Papetoai)

Moorea Dolphin Center is a dolphin sanctuary and a conservation center on the Moorea island in the French Polynesia. Moorea Dolphin Center is highly recommended for any sightseeing tourist who ever dreamed of swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat. The dolphins here are very well looked after and the visitors are made to feel welcome and at ease. Tourists get an opportunity to learn about the dolphins, their families and the different types of dolphins. The experience of interacting with the dolphins is very memorable for a lot of tourists.

8. Municipal Market (Papeete)

At the Municipal Market in Papeete, French Polynesia, the rural and the urban worlds meet. The farmers and artisans come to the Municipal Market to sell their fresh produce to the city folk. Tourists sightseeing in the Municipal Market enjoy observing the merchants and buyers go about their business. Tourist can buy nutritious foods, handmade souvenirs and all sorts of other goods. The Municipal Market in Papeete is divided into sections such as the ukulele shops, the fish market, the fruit and vegetable market or the flower market. The market usually opens between 4 and 5 AM and closes between 4 and 6 PM, depending on the day. There are many restaurants and cafes near the market and we recommend sightseeing tourists try grated coconut, which is a local delicacy.

9. The Robert WAN Pearl Museum (Papeete)

The Robert WAN Pearl Museum is an interesting museum in the French Polynesia’s capital city Papeete. Claimed to be the world’s only museum dedicated entirely to pearls, the museum has displays dedicated to the philosophy, art and history of pearls. Sightseeing tourists will be able to learn about how pearls are cultivated and what different varieties of pearls exist. The museum showcases the biggest pearl ever found in French Polynesia. Informative videos in the museum are played in French and in English. Entry to the museum is free. The museum also has a gift shop selling pearl jewelry and various pearl artifacts.

10. Mount Otemanu (Bora Bora)

Mount Otemanu is a picturesque, dormant, ancient volcano on the Bora Bora island in French Polynesia. It is possible to go hiking close by Mount Otemanu, but it is more impressive when viewed from a bit of a distance. Sunsets and sunrises by Mount Otemanu are picture-perfect. The changing lights and colors during those times of the day are impressive. Tourists can choose to view Mount Otemanu from a boat on an organised sightseeing excursion. Tourists who want to take their time to admire Mount Otemanu can stay in one of the over-water bungalows.

◎ Closing

As you can see French Polynesia is a fabulous holiday destination. With so many beautiful islands for sightseeing you will not run out of places to visit and things to do in French Polynesia. Thanks to many plane flights and boat cruises between the islands, sightseeing tourist can island-hop with ease in French Polynesia. Enjoy a wonderful break in the extraordinary French Polynesia.