The Tuamotus

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Manihi, also in the Tuamotu Archipelago, is a small atoll with only 769 residents. Called “The Black Pearl Paradise,” this atoll was the site of the first pearl farm that helped pave the way for the other Tuamotu islands. The black-lipped oysters, found only in Tahiti and Her Islands, are cultivated for their prized black pearls. Visitors can enjoy the plentiful lagoon activities while exploring the many black pearl farms for which the island is known.

Located about 10 miles from Rangiroa is the secluded island of Tikehau. This oval-shaped atoll is an important supplier of fresh fish and copra for the island of Tahiti. Tikehau boasts exotic pink sand beaches and an abundance of sea life that makes it a must for visiting scuba divers. In Tuheiava pass, diving enthusiasts can closely observe manta rays, barracuda, tuna, sea turtles, and gray and white-tipped sharks. This diverse island is also home to a number of bird colonies that have sought refuge on the aptly named “Isle of Birds.” This protected motu is well-known for its red-footed gannets and brown noddies.

Fakarava is the second largest atoll in Tahiti and Her Islands, after Rangiroa. This protected atoll, along with its six neighboring islands, makes up a Unesco classified nature reserve. The delicate ecosystem on Fakarava supports some especially rare flora and fauna, including the hunting kingfisher, the Tuamotu palm, and sea life such as squills and sea cicadas. Fakarava also contains one of the first Catholic churches constructed in Tahiti and Her Islands. Located in the ancient village of Tetamanu, this aged structure is built primarily of coral and dates back to 1874.

More and more people are renewing their marriage vows in a traditional Tahitian wedding ceremony. Though not a legal ceremony, the ritual is deep and meaningful. Couples are bedecked in pareus, flowers, shells and feathers and the groom approaches the beach in an outrigger canoe. His bride, who was carried in on a rattan throne, awaits him on the white sand beach. A spectacular sunset and lapping lagoon create the stunning backdrop. Tahitian music and dancers enhance the ambiance. A Tahitian priest marries the couple and gives them their Tahitian names and the Tahitian name of their first-born. Stone fishing tournaments are an exciting time on the island of Tahaa. In the method of their ancestors, the villagers wade into the lagoon, beating the water with stones tied to ropes. The frenzy frightens the schools of fish, driving them ashore, where they are easily collected for a feast.