When Parisian romantic influences meet the exotic tropics, the result is traditional Tahitian weddings where couples are fawned over in ceremony, their vows preformed by local priests in the native Polynesian complete with dancers, rattan thrones and flowers. Unfortunately a wedding this decadent isn't legally binding, but it's perfect for vow-renewals and celebrities who may change their minds in the morning.
French Polynesia is comprised of 5 archipelagos of which four are volcanic, and one coral. Nestled in Oceania in the South Pacific, this French-annexed corner of the globe has been expanding in autonomy since nuclear testing was halted due to widespread protest (as recently as 1996) on the Mururoa atoll.
A large part of the area is completely unknown to the world, such as the three great phosphate rock islands; Makatea, Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru. Its list of hidden mysteries continues with the likes of the isolated Marquesas in central Polynesia where the famous artist and friend of Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin is buried. Hidden treasures for divers to uncover here include the thrill of seeing the local large pod of pygmy Orca's and mellonhead whales, among others.
Little Tikehau in the Tuamotu Atolls was hailed by Jacques Cousteau as having its highest density of marine life, among which are its giant manta rays.
The better known Islands are Bora Bora, Morroea and, of course, Tahiti, the largest whose capitol city, Papeete, hosts 70,000 of Polynesia's 135,000 inhabitants. Papeete seems a bit out of place in this tropical paradise with its undiluted European look and feel.
The hospitable Polynesians have some beautiful traditions passed down orally from their powerful Maohi warrior ancestors. According to their rich mythology, the god of tattooing, Tohu painted the fishes and inspired generations to continue this rite in much the same way the Papuans do. The rest of their history is captured in undecipherable petroglyphs, most of which appear to revolve around 'sky Father' and 'Earth mother'.
Tahiti Scuba Diving
The easiest dives in Tahiti can be done from the comfort of your own thatched bungalow. Rooms over the lagoon are equipped with glass floors like indoor aquariums, so you can see the tropical fish swimming below.
Tahiti is famous for its Black Pearls. In the lagoon waters, where they are farmed on Manihi, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Huahine, and Tahaa, all sorts of shades are found from pitch black to green, blue, bronze auberguine and even pink.
In the northwest of the Island's rough figure eight shape, is Tahiti Nui and the smaller southeast counterpart - Tahiti Iti. Every dive level is catered for here with the lagoons, wrecks and drop offs of beautiful coral and Black tip, white tip & grey reef sharks. At Tahiti Nui you can dive the Aquarium (a lagoon dive) or the penetrable large cargo ship and 'Catalina flying boatplane' wrecks. Tahiti Iti offers the breathtaking cavern at Tetopa Grotto, The Marado and Lagoon Hole.
Bora Bora and the rest
As far as Polynesia goes, diving in Tahiti is eclipsed by Moorea with its sting rays, Rangiroa's breathtaking drifts and Rurutu's Humpback whale encounters. Anau, Muri Muri, Teavanui Channel and the Outer reef are the most popular sites.
The world's largest atoll, Rangiroa, has a lagoon that spans 40 miles and is fed by the Avatoru and Tiputa channels which bring in the locals; jacks, manta and eagle rays, tuna, barracuda, turtles, hammerheads and dolphins. The lagoon has a drop-off that hits 1200m as well as currents that make for the perfect drift dive; sites in this area are generally better suited to advanced divers such as Napoleon, Tuna Point, Sharks & Manta point, small caves, small channels.
Bora Bora's Manta Ray cleaning station, along with, Anau or "Manta Ray Channel" or "Manta Ballroom" promises encounters with these creature that will leave you humble and breathless. Drift at Aito with turtles, sharks, and barracuda or see the sharks at their local hang-out, Tapu.
At Teavanui Pass, all sorts of surprises wait in store at the lagoon mouth. Tupitipiti's cavern and swim though drop off sports blue and red branching, green and orange sponges and plenty of colvoluted places to play around in. Nuku Hiva stands out in the crowd with its plankton-rich waters. Here everything from melon-headed whales, scalloped hammerheads, manta and sting rays play with tuna, parrotfish, triggerfish, scorpionfish, snappers, and whitetip reef sharks in caves and drop offs at sites like The Hammerhead Sentinel, Dulcinea and Ekamako.
Huahine is known for its reefs and regular encounters with stingrays, unicornfish, butterflyfish, wrasse, travallies, grey reef sharks, eagle rays pufferfish, moorish idols and moray eels. Secluded Manihi offers Tairapa Pass, The Circus, The Drop-Off, The Crack, also known as The Break, West Cape, and The Crossing.
Rurutu in the Austral Islands south of Tahiti plays host to migrating humpbacks.
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