You can stay as busy or as relaxed as you choose - it’s your vacation, so set your own pace.

You may want to start with a tropical breakfast served on the deck of your overwater bungalow. Perhaps play a round of golf at Tahiti’s par 72 championship course, horseback ride along the beach, play tennis, hike or bike ride. You might try sailing, water skiing, jet skiing, para-sailing or deep sea fishing. Experience the undersea world by snorkeling, scuba diving or even a shallow water hard hat dive. You can catch an island tour, enjoy a Tahitian feast … or just relax in a hammock and listen to the sound of the sea breaking on the distant reef.

It’s all available for your pleasure. And as a special feature, most resorts on the outer islands provide complimentary use
of snorkeling equipment and outrigger canoes.

Scuba Diving Tahiti offers some of the most fantastic diving in the world. If you are certified or even thinking about taking up this fascinating sport, with 80Þ water and 100 foot visibility, what better place to learn? It is even possible to earn your PADI certification while vacationing in these islands! Dive on a scuttled seaplane and an old sailing ship in the Tahiti lagoon. Take a side trip to the end of the island for a spectacular wall dive with options to explore reef caverns. Thrill to the experience of feeding sharks 60 feet below the surface on Moorea. Dive with manta rays on Bora Bora or experience a drift dive in the pass on Tikehau, Manihi or Rangiroa.

Snorkeling The crystalline waters of the Tahitian islands offer some of the best snorkeling in the Pacific.

Island Trips During your stay on Tahiti, you may want to take the ferry to captivating Moorea. The trip from Papeete to Vaiare on Moorea is only 25 minutes, and ferries run several times a day. There is much to see and do on this magical island. Check page 14 for some of the optional sightseeing excursions Tahiti Vacations offers on Tahiti.

Tahitian Wedding Ceremony
The picturesque Tiki Village, a replica of an ancient Tahitian village nestled under coconut palms at the edge of the Haapiti Lagoon on Moorea, will arrange a wedding ceremony performed by their village “chief” and “high priest.” Ceremonies include musicians, beautiful floral crowns, traditional Tahitian dress, photographs of the ceremony and a certificate. An optional video of the ceremony can be a perfect souvenir. Although ceremonies are not legally binding, this is a perfect time and place to renew your vows.

Shopping
We are often asked “what to buy” in the islands. The beautiful black pearls, the local pareu, T-shirts, shell leis, vanilla beans, scented monoi coconut oil, mother of pearl jewelry, paintings by local artists, and wood carvings (particularly good samples are those from the Marquesas) all make good collectibles or gifts to take back.

Moorea Dolphin Center
Be part of a Dolphin Center “in-water” program. Your encounter, guided by marine mammal experts, brings you face-to-face with one of our ocean’s most amazing creatures. Each program takes you and your dolphin friend into the sandy shallows of the natural lagoon. Several of the overwater bungalows at the InterContinental Moorea directly overlook the dolphins’ “home.” Dolphin encounters are loaded with fun for ages five years and older. Hands-on contact with the dolphins provides a unique opportunity for intimacy with these beautiful animals. A portion of the cost helps support marine education and conservation programs.

Miscellaneous Due to the generally mild climate, you will find that many of the outer island hotels are not air-conditioned. If air-conditioning is a concern to you, please let us know at the time of booking. Colors in the tropics seem brighter than at home and the nights seem darker, therefore, a good pair of dark glasses and a small pocket flashlight for everyone in your party are suggested. And don’t forget your camera, film and favorite sunscreen.