The Islands Of Tahiti 2014 - (Page 10)

TAHITITOURISM.COM Bora Bora Diving Because of the abundance of large marine life, diving within the waters of the most beautiful lagoon in the world is on many divers' " must do" lists. D uring the dives, it is common to be j oined by legions of gigantic manta rays gliding gracefully within arm's reach while schools of reef sharks parade through the sunlit waters. Some of the World-Famous Dive Sites Around Bora Bora Are: nau L ag d i v e 5 - 1 0 0 f t. nown as " Manta Ray * AChannel" oon" Manta1 Ballroom"K for its regular encounters or * * * * * with these gentle giants. T ap u O c ean d i v e 3 0 - 1 0 0 f t. A classic shark dive also j oined by giant wrasse, ac fish, and eel. Muri Muri O c ean d i v e 6 0 - 1 2 0 f t. Rich marine life welcomes divers, such as reef sharks, turtles, and dolphins. Also called the " W hite valley." T eav anui P as s d i v e 1 5 - 1 3 0 f t. The entrance to the lagoon is framed with purple coral walls, sharks, eels, and giant wrasses. T oop ui / T oop ua I ti L ag oon d i v e 1 5 - 1 0 0 f t. Coral walls with giant clams, swim throughs, and eagle rays. T up i ti p i ti O c ean d i v e 2 0 - 1 5 0 f t. A steep drop-off with walls of blue and red coral plus orange and green sponges, caves, tunnels, corridors, and dramatic swim throughs. Ray Feeding Ray feeding is one of the most fun and popular adventures in the islands. Y our client's guide sweeps them away from their resort or cruise ship on a motorized outrigger canoe to a shallow part of Bora Bora's turquoise-blue lagoon. There, they'll get out of the boat with their guide, and he begins feeding anywhere from 10 to 20 graceful, friendly rays that have appeared. These beautiful, affectionate creatures brush up against your clients and the group as they glide through the lagoon. 4x4 Excursions Even though Bora Bora is small, the adventures along the interior roads are huge. These overgrown forest roads wind high above the lagoon to panoramic stops that can only be described as breathtaking. The island's role during W orld W ar ii is expertly told as travelers visit large u.S. Naval guns left behind in 19 45 . Sailing Bora Bora's lagoon is a very popular anchorage for both roundthe-world cruises and avid vacation sailors. if chartering one's own sailboat in Raiatea, Tahiti, or Moorea, the deep, wide pass and calm lagoon is a natural stop. One can also rent a Hobie Cat in Bora Bora or take a half-day or sunset cruise around the lagoon on a giant catamaran, complete with Tahitian music. 10 april 2014 2-15.indd 10 MAUPITI The Preserved Island About 25 miles from Bora Bora, Maupiti is a small, isolated island in the Society archipelago. This sleepy community offers serenity and warm, island hospitality that many island-hoppers seek, combined with unprecedented natural beauty. Here, maj estic cliffs soar high above a crystal-like j ade lagoon. visitors in search of authenticity will enj oy leaving behind the resort scene for Maupiti's handful of family-run guesthouses and pensions, the only accommodations on the island. Explorers will want to visit the caves of vai'ea as well as Maupiti's motu Pae'ao, which holds an archaeological site that dates from the ninth century, one of Polynesia's most ancient. Maupiti is home to several species of marine-life: hammerhead shar s, leopard manta rays, butterflyfish and parrotfish. HUAHINE About 30 minutes by plane from the island of Tahiti, Huahine, with its lush forests, untamed landscape, and quaint villages, is one of Tahiti's best-kept secrets. A deep, crystal-clear lagoon surrounds the island while magnificent bays and white sand beaches add drama and solitude to their virtues. Relatively unchanged by the modern world, Huahine offers the slower and tranquil pace of old Polynesia. W ith only eight small villages scattered across the island, the few residents welcome visitors with great kindness. Not surprisingly, this fertile world offers a rich soil providing the local farmers a bountiful harvest of vanilla and tropical fruits. An Open-Air Museum Although " crowded" seldom comes to mind in describing the islands of Tahiti, the word perfectly describes the density of Huahine's historical sites. in fact, the famous archaeological site near the village of Maeva has the largest concentration of pre-European marae ( stone temples) in Polynesia. Now, almost fully restored, over 200 archaeological stone structures have survived centuries of natural destruction. These structures lie within yards of one another along the shore of L ake Fauna Nui and on the sacred and scenic Matairea Hill and include marae of island chieftains, dwellings, horticultural developments, and religious and ceremonial monuments. ere, overloo ing the ancient stone fish traps and the ocean beyond, visitors follow a footpath among royal marae and immense fortification walls as well as stone foundations for homes of island chiefs and priests. Other important historic finds have shown that uahine has the oldest recorded date of human occupation among the Society islands. D iscoveries at the recently uncovered sites date from A.D . 85 0 to 1200 and include workshops for the construction of canoes and assembly of fish hoo s. These legends of uahine can come recommend.com 3/25/14 10:00 AM http://www.TAHITITOURISM.COM http://www.recommend.com

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The Islands Of Tahiti 2014