What To Know Before Visiting Tahiti
The islands of Tahiti remained relatively unexplored until the 1500s, when European explorers began to sail to Tahitiss tropical shores, beginning with the Spanish explorer Mendana, who visited Fatu Hiva Island in the Marquesas. Captain Samuel Wallis followed about 170 years later, visiting the main island of Tahiti during his voyage to discover the mythical landmass below the equator known as australis incogniti. Wallis claimed the island of Tahiti King George III Island, and claimed it for France. Shortly after this visit by Wallis, the French navigator Louise Antoine de Bouganville landed on Tahiti and claimed it for the King of France.Europeans remained fascinated with the tales of Tahitis tropical beauty and exotic animals and plant life, and the French British rivalry for territorial rites and possession of the islands continued until 1847, when Queen Pomare accepted French protection for the islands of Tahiti and Moorea. In 1957, all of the Tahitian islands were designated French territory and renamed French Polynesia, and since 1998, French Polynesia has been its own overseas country with self governing powers via an elected assembly and a President.
There are many things to do, during your Tahiti vacation, you will find no shortage of things to do and see. Each one of the Tahitian islands is unique, and each one is worth a visit. On the main island and, you can scuba dive to view ocean wrecks and sharks, and even feed fish by hand. You can also rent a chartered Catamaran for a day or even for several weeks, take sailing lessons, take a mountain safari, go deep sea fishing, and of course, visit the many museums and historic points of interest located throughout the island.
On your Tahiti vacation, you can relax and rejuvenate, reveling in the sparkling seas, beautiful beaches, and tropical landscape surrounding you. Why not take a day at the spa or spend a night soaking up local culture and customs and experiencing Tahitian nightlife. Whatever you decide to do, you can find it in Tahiti, and when you are ready to venture out and discover new experiences, the other islands of French Polynesia await you as well.