FR | EN
FR | EN
Te Henua Enana... Craddle of Polynesia...
Far, far away lies an archipelago that has drawn explorers,
artists and adventurers from early days.
Tahiti and her Islands (French Polynesia) are located in the South Pacific Ocean, 20 hours from Paris, 12 hours from Tokyo, or 8 hours from Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Air Tahiti Nui, Air France and French Bee fly to Tahiti from Paris via Los Angeles, San Francisco or Tokyo.
United Airlines operates also from San Francisco and Air New Zealand operates from Auckland with a 5-hour flight.
Hawaiian Airlines has one flight per week from Honolulu as does LAN from Chile.
Nuku Hiva is the largest of the Marquesas Islands. It is a little more than three hours away from Tahiti on Air Tahiti, the only airline servicing the French Polynesian islands.
For more information on the destination, see Tahiti Tourisme's web site.
Part of the northern most archipelago in French Polynesia, Nuku Hiva is a 3-hour and 40-minute flight away from Tahiti. Air Tahiti is the only domestic airline.
More than 900 miles north-east of Tahiti, Nuku Hiva is a mystical island hiding many natural wonders, such as the Hakaui waterfall, plunging down a thousand feet.
Nature here is raw, and preserved. Encounters with wild horses, goats and boars are common.
Total change of scene guaranteed !
Mave Mai ! Kaoha Nui ! Welcome to the Marquesas !
CURRENCY
The Pacific Franc (XPF) is indexed on the Euro.
€1 = XPF 119,33 or XPF 1 000 = €8.38
Most credit cards are accepted. There are two ATMs in Taiohae, Nuku Hiva's capital. Tipping is not customary in Polynesia, and remains at the customer's discretion. Prices are fixed and bargaining is not habitual, except for handicrafts.
SEASONS
Tahiti and Her Islands enjoy a subtropical climate with an average temperature of 27°C (81°F) all year round. However, there is a warm season from January to April, a rainy season from May to August, and a cooler, drier season from September to December. Ocean temperature is about 25°C (77°F).
LANGUAGES
French is the official language. However, most people speak Marquesan among themselves.
CELL PHONES
GSM is the standard. There are two local cell phone operators in French Polynesia : Vini and Vodafone. For the Marquesas, choose Vini. Cell phones and prepaid cards are available for sale.
TIME ZONE
UTC/GMT -9 ½ hours
POWER
220 Volts 50 Hz
HEALTH
French Polynesia is known for the quality of its healthcare. The Taaone Hospital on the main island of Tahiti is fitted with state-of-the art equipment. Tahiti also has two private clinics, many medical doctors' offices and dispensaries in Tahiti.
Nuku Hiva is home to the only hospital in the Marquesas archipelago. It is in constant contact with Tahiti to implement medical evacuations when needed.
There are no dangerous animals or venomous insects in French Polynesia.
WHAT TO PACK
Sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, hat or cap, sandals, your medical treatment, light and ventilated shoes and clothing for better comfort on land and in the water.
We recommend that you purchase mosquito repellent on arrival, it is more efficient than repellent sold in Europe and elsewhere !
