Time off in Tahiti

EVERY year, more than 700 million vacation days go unused across the United States, signaling that Americans are working harder and not taking the time off they've earned to unplug, relax and recharge. United Airlines today announced Time Off in Tahiti, a contest designed to recognize the hardest-working person in the Unites States with a dream trip to the islands of #Tahiti. 

The winner of United's Time Off in Tahiti contest and their guest will fly from their hometown to San Francisco and then on to Papeete, Tahiti for the ultimate getaway. The journey includes a visit to the United Polaris lounge at San FranciscoInternational Airport, where they will find space to relax, dine and refresh before their flight to Tahiti. They will then fly in United Polaris business class to Tahiti.

Nominations can be submitted at united.com/timeofftahiti.
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A bird's-eye view of paradise

AIR Tahiti Nui has added a fleet of four helicopters to its air operations in #Tahiti to fill a void for private transfers, high end experiences and scenic flights. 

With the choice of three panoramic flights from Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, ranging from 10 minutes to 45 minutes, and including an aerial journey into the volcanic heart of Tahiti, a breathtaking flight over the luminescent lagoons fringing Moorea and spectacular sightseeing above Bora Bora’s blue lagoon, with one trip also hovering over the heart-shaped island of Tupai. 

The new helicopter service also packages up private inter-island transfers or something more bespoke such as a lift to the golf course, a spot of heli-skydiving or a leg up to get a bird’s-eye view of the sunset with a champagne in hand.

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New cruise terminal for Tahiti

EXPLORING The Islands of #Tahiti by sea is not only one of the most convenient methods to island-hop but is also an awe-inspiring experience to immerse oneself in the destination’s stunning 118 islands. Seagoers from across the world will be able to enjoy Papeete’s new International Cruise Terminal, which is scheduled to open in 2020.

Financed by the Port of Papeete, the new cruise terminal will have the capacity to accommodate up to three ships simultaneously and 2,000 turnaround passengers. The terminal will also feature amenities such as an aerial walk, luggage room, check-in counters, waiting room, duty free, snack bar and café and reservations facilities.

Concurrently, the Aéroport de Tahiti is also undertaking a $12 million upgrade of Faa’a International Airport which is 1.8 miles from the cruise port. Airport capacity is presently at 2.5 million passengers per year and there are three departing long haul flights and two long-haul arrivals every day. This planned renovation, which is expected to be finished by 2020, includes an extension to the airport, refurbishment of the landside terminal and a new public hall containing new retail areas, shops and restaurants.

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Explore Tahiti this Summer

THERE are more reasons to #explore The Islands of #Tahiti in 2017, and to island-hop the legendary islands, atolls and motus, as a range of dynamic events celebrating the French Polynesian culture and heritage are there to be experienced. The following is snapshot of happenings which incorporate the very best of Tahitian mana, the French Polynesian life force that embraces us all:

World Va’a Outrigger Canoe Race (June 27th – 30th June) - The International Va’a Federation is organizing the very first world edition of Va’a long distance race in Tahiti. This new competition will see Polynesian outrigger canoe races competing every couple of years to become the International Federation World champions of long distance va’a racing.

Heiva i Tahiti (July 6th – 22nd) - One of the most important cultural events in The Islands of Tahiti. This popular community celebration has been a yearly highlight for more than 125 years. In July, visitors are invited to join during events, shows, rituals and contests. The event agenda offers mind-blowing dance shows, songs but also traditional sports. Communities representing the various archipelagos of The Islands of Tahiti gather in Papeete at that time of the year to present their arts, techniques and know-how during handcraft contests and exhibitions.

Billabong Pro Tahiti (August 11th – 22nd) - 20 years ago, Teahupoo was hosting the first official edition of a surf contest. At the time, it was called “Black Pearl Horue Pro” and was a stage of the Championship Tour qualifying series. Hawaiian Andy Iron, then only aged 18, won the first edition. The Teahupoo surf spot became famous worldwide later thanks to its massive waves reaching up to 13 feet.

26th Hawaiki Nui Va’a in Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a and Bora Bora (November 1st - 3rd) - The Hawaiki Nui Va'a is an international contest of Polynesian outrigger canoes (called va’a) where over a hundred canoes gather in November each year starting in Huahine in the Leeward Islands. It is without a doubt the most difficult V6 canoe race in the world with 80 miles to paddle in only three days. 

Marquesas Art Festival (December 18th – 21st) - The Marquesas Art Festival is a cultural event organized periodically in the Marquesas archipelago. The festival is a celebration of Marquesan and Polynesian cultures through shows and contests ranging from dance, songs, sports, traditional dishes to tattoos, tapas and carvings.

IronMana 2017 (November) - This one-of-a-kind concept combines several sporting events aimed at promoting The Islands of Tahiti and their Mana through multi-disciplinary water contests.

The Bora Bora Liquid Festival will see athletes compete in water related contests such as open water swimming, prone paddle, stand up paddle, kayaking and outrigger canoe races while the Tahiti Nui Holopuni Channel Crossing consists of navigating over 248 miles of ocean onboard a traditional sailing outrigger canoe from Tahiti to Bora Bora through the islands of Moorea, Raiatea, Taha’a and Huahine.

The Waterman Tahiti Tour involves three disciplines, namely stand up paddle boarding, open water swimming and prone paddleboarding.


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New International Cruise terminal scheduled to Open in 2020

EXPLORING The Islands of #Tahiti by sea is not only one of the most convenient methods to island-hop but is also an awe-inspiring experience to immerse oneself in the destination’s stunning 118 islands. Seagoers from across the world will be able to enjoy Papetee’s new International Cruise Terminal, which is scheduled to open in 2020.

Financed by the Port of Papetee, the new #cruise terminal will have the capacity to accommodate up to three ships simultaneously and 2,000 turnaround passengers. The terminal will also feature amenities such as an aerial walk, luggage room, check-in counters, waiting room, duty free, snack bar and café and reservations facilities.

“The new cruise terminal offers us many more opportunities to welcome international travelers to The Islands of Tahiti,” says Kristin Carlson Kemper, Managing Director, Tahiti Tourisme U.S. “We look forward to introducing all of them to the Tahitian way of life, and for them to be embraced by Mana.”

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Tahiti Celebrates

#TAHITI Tourisme is celebrating 50 years of overwater bungalows, the striking over-the-water accommodation that helped put the #Islands of Tahiti on the map. In 1967, Tahiti became the first #destination in the world to take accommodation into uncharted waters, building suites over its islands’ beautiful blue lagoons in a move that cemented the Society Islands as one of the world’s most sought-after holiday destinations.

The first humble overwater bungalows were built in Raiatea and Moorea fifty years on, there are now nearly 900 overwater bungalows spread across eight of Tahiti’s 118 islands, with the picturesque accommodation becoming as famous as the destination’s dazzling lagoons.

Originally built as traditional stilted coral homes, over the past five decades the Islands of Tahiti’s overwater bungalows have evolved into palatial suites boasting private terraces, infinity pools, hammocks, spa baths and in-room glass floors.

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Hit the trail in Tahiti

THE Tahiti-Moorea Marathon started in 1988 and welcomes runners from all over the world it is the most important international sporting event on the island of Moorea.

The event is made up of a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, the Arameti 4.5 km Fun Run and Kids Run Races so all the family can get involved. 

The event takes place this year on March 25 and registration is open now.

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Surf Tahiti

#SURFING is one of the most popular sports in #Tahiti and a whole economy has developed around this activity, from the manufacturers of surfboards to lines of specialist clothing and accessories. Surfing is everywhere, making Tahiti and its islands a real surfing nation. Throughout the year a multitude of competitions take place such as the Billabong Pro at Teahupo'o.

Increasingly foreign surfers hire boats and assisted by local surfer-guides set off to discover unexplored or little known “spots”, especially in the far-off archipelagos such as the Australes, the Marquises and the Tuamotu.

The main surf spots include;

Tahiti, west coast - Channel from Hāva'e to Teahupo'o, Te Ava 'Ino Channel, Te Ava Iti and de Vaira'o (Peninsula), Mitirapa, Ti'ama'o, Mara'a, Taharu'u Beach, Sapinus – Pointe des Pêcheurs and Ta'apuna.

Tahiti, east coast - Ārue Reef, Lafayette beach, Reef de la pointe Vénus, 'Āhonu, 'Orofara, Rocky Point, La Baie, the mouth of the Papeno'o.

Mo'orea - Ha'apiti, Tema'e, the Cook and ’Opūnohu bays, Beachcomber and 'Atiha.

Huahine - Fīti'i, Parea and the channel of Ava Mo’a.

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More Brits discover Tahiti

IN the first two months of 2014, Tahiti and its islands welcomed more than 24,800 tourists overall, with the UK market achieving an increase of 74 percent compared to the same period a year ago. In February, the figures show an 89 per cent increase in visitors from Britain.  

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