Photo courtesy of the Tahiti by Carl Facebook page

Talk to anyone about visiting Tahiti and you’ll almost always hear someone say, “I’ve always wanted to visit there.”

Even the most casual traveller has a passing familiarity with Tahiti’s pristine beaches, its famed overwater bungalows and its international reputation as the “it-spot” for glamorous destination weddings.

But that’s also frequently where the understanding stops.

The Island of Tahiti — 118 islands, to be exact — are spread out over two million square miles of the South Pacific Ocean and encompass such famed island getaways as Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. Despite its vast area, the total land mass of the entire island group would easily fit onto Prince Edward Island, with plenty of room to spare.

While it feels more remote than many other paradise-style destinations, Tahiti is actually considerably closer than it appears to be. Located mid-way between California and Australia, it is a short eight-hour flight from Los Angeles. Because it is on the same side of the International Date Line as North America, the time difference is just three hours behind Vancouver (two hours from November through March.)

Getting there is easy. The award-winning Air Tahiti Nui offers regular flights from Los Angeles International Airport, which of course has convenient connections from around Canada.

Planning an in-country itinerary, however, can be a little more complicated. You’ll be faced with questions such as which islands are the best to visit, what should you do when you’re there, is Tahiti just for honeymooners?

To help identify the must-see and must-do aspects of the Islands of Tahiti, we turned to Ontario-based travel professional Carl Henderson with Tahiti by Carl.

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Carl has a laundry list of certifications behind his name, including Tiare Tahiti Agent (through Tahiti Tourisme North America) and Certified Travel Manager (through the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors). He is also a member of several high-profile organizations, including the Virtuoso travel network and Canada’s Travel Professionals International.

But Carl’s true expertise is his first-hand experience in Tahiti. He’s stayed at every one of the major resorts throughout the islands, which gives him a unique 360-degree perspective on the entire destination.

Tahiti for the First Timer

Overwater Bungalows: When it comes to staying in an overwater bungalow, Carl says “just do it.” Regardless of your budget, you must stay in an overwater bungalow for at least two or three nights of your trip. If you don’t, he says, you will see them everywhere and regret not trying it. “Plan for it, budget for it and enjoy it!”

Get Out and Experience Tahiti: Tahiti is home to so many incredible resorts that there can be a strong urge to just stay in and enjoy the facilities, especially for travellers staying in the overwater bungalow. But if you give in to that urge, you’ll be missing out, so plan to get out and do some excursions and tours.

What’s more, says Carl, each island has its own unique treasures. In Bora Bora, it’s all about the lagoon, so be sure to get out on the water. Moorea is a great place for amazing 4x4 or ATV tours. Taha’a has some of the best vanilla in the world so include a visit to a vanilla farm on your itinerary. Rangiroa has some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling, so enjoy the underwater world.

Eat the Local Food: Tahiti’s culinary scene features a lively blend French influences mixed with Chinese and Polynesian touches. And of course, there’s always fresh seafood daily. “The culinary experience is incredible in the islands,” says Carl. Make sure to get out of your resort to try some of the local restaurants. Other foodie tips: Sample Polynesian specialties like poisson cru, and in Papeete, dine like a Tahitian at the Roulottes (local food trucks).

Where to Go: Deciding where to go can be the most stressful decision of your trip. “There are a lot of great islands in Tahiti and each one is different from the next,” says Carl. Just because classic itineraries suggest visiting Moorea and Bora Bora, this is not always right for all travellers. Be sure to explore all your options, including the off-the-beaten-track islands like Tikehau, Fakarava and the very remote Marquesas Islands.

Authentic Souvenirs: Wan to bring home a treasured memory? The Marquesas Islands are filled with skilled carvers so you can get pick up some incredible wood and stone carvings. Of course, you’ll probably want to pick up some of the world’s best vanilla to add to your own recipes — and help keep the memories of your vacation alive. The amazing Tahitian pearl jewelry is another popular take-home item, for men and women. Or, if you want to bring home the ultimate souvenir, one that will never be lost or forgotten, get yourself a Polynesian tattoo.

For more information on visiting the Island of Tahiti, visit tahiti-tourisme.com or tahitibycarl.com. Carl can also be reached on Facebook at facebook.com/TahitibyCarl or facebook.com/CarlHendersonTPI.

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