Day-By-Day Itinerary

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Departs Thursday

Day 1 Fly New York to Papeete

Enjoy non-stop service aboard Air Tahiti Nui from JFK to Tahiti. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.

Papeete, the capital and commercial hub of French Polynesia, hosts the government offices, hospitals, banks, airline and travel agencies, boutiques and black pearl shops.  The Central Market (Marché Central) is a must, located 1 block behind the waterfront. You will see traditional Tahitian crafts, flowers, fruits, fish and other produce.  The waterfront is attractive, with a tree lined promenade along a marina with an international yachting community.

International cargo freighters, copra ships, luxury liners and sailing yachts share the harbor. There are several excellent restaurants (this is a little France after all) with menus featuring French, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese and American choices (there is now a McDonalds :-(in addition to local specialties (upstairs in the Central Market, nice lunch fare with a local band - a popular place). Prices vary to fit just about any budget, starting at about US$12 for a main course.

If you are on a budget or want to get into some local color, there is also some good food to be had on the waterfront parking lot in the center of town. This is where, after 6 pm, you will find the "roulottes", about 2 dozen licensed food trucks offering a variety of inexpensive but fresh and well prepared dishes. This is funky dining on hard stools amongst locals, tourists - even airline crew!..and the sights are almost as good as the food.

A busy small city, Papeete hums with happy sounds in a tropical atmosphere with French flavor and a Tahitian easygoing disposition.

Day 2 Fly Papeete to Bora Bora

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bora Bora. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.

Bora Bora - Unquestionably the most mythical of the Pacific islands remains the island of all dreams. So much has been written about Bora Bora, and yet it is hard to find the right words to describe the magic that emanates from this island.

Seen from the air, the view has been compared to that of "a tiny emerald in a setting of turquoise, encircled by a sheltering necklace of sparkling pearls". The airport, built by the US forces in 1942, is located on a palm fringed motu about 20 minutes by boat from the main village of Vaitape. The view of the main island from the airport is truly breathtaking, and as you travel across the spectacular lagoon you will soon understand why it is the main area of attraction for most visitors.

It offers a multitude of activities and excursions, one of the most popular being the shark's "breakfast" where from chest-deep water you watch local divers feed 4' to 5' reef sharks by hand. It's a lot of fun and totally safe. The same routine is done with a large group of friendly stingrays.

Tourist facilities are not too numerous, and understated enough so as not to alter the landscape's beauty.

Day 3 At leisure, Bora Bora

Bora Bora is encircled by a multihued lagoon and protected by a wall of coral reef. Crowned by lush, green, volcanic peaks, you can understand why the late James A. Michener described Bora Bora as the most beautiful island in the South Pacific. Traverse this tiny island on bicycle and chat to locals, or explore Bora Bora’s rugged interior on a jeep safari tour. Pack a picnic and maroon yourself on a remote motu, or make a lunch date with a black tip reef shark and watch your guide hand feed these amazing creatures.

Day 4 Fly Bora Bora to New York (Via Papeete)

Bid farewell to French Polynesia as you board your departure flight back to the USA.

Day 5 Arrive USA