Whether you’re looking to plan a trip or looking for some great escape reading check out Hidden Tahiti, a guide book on Tahiti and French Polynesia. This series of guide books is being redesigned but the current edition of Tahiti and French Polynesia is filled with great information. There’s a section on Outdoor Adventures that includes activities for the more adventerous. Shark feeding, sailing, diving, camping, fishing and wind surfing are all included.

The book includes a small section on words and phrases you might use in French Polynesia, they also include a section on the history and geography of the islands. I loved that they choose accomodations in all price ranges, they have researched budget hotels as well as upscale hotels and spa accomodations. The same goes for restaurants, Hidden Tahiti offers a well rounded view of dining options throughout the islands.

There’s a section on each of the main islands, Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora as well as Huihine, Raiatea, Tahaa, Maupiti, The Tuamotu Islands and the Marquesas; as well as The Austral Islands and The Gambier Islands. Each section includes travel essentials such as interesting sights, internet access, outdoor activities, dining, accomodations and so much more. The book offers great maps and insight. The down side from my perspective, Hidden Tahiti lacks the glossy color pictures most of us enjoy perusing as we plan a trip. That being said, the guide books are being redesigned and the newest editions may well carry more of the photos I love! Definitely worth checking out!!

As I explored activities and accommodations for Tahaa Island in the Society Islands I discovered an amazing gem called Vahine Island,which according to the Vahine Island website is listed as the number 1 destination in Conde Naste’s World’s Top 25 Escapes. This is a small resort island on one of the motus north of Tahaa. A motus is a small barrier island. There are fabulous activities to be found on Vahine Island including my personal favorite, ”A Cast Away Picnic for the Adventurer.”  This one sounds absolutely delightful. It offers the opportunity to explore the lagoon and the small barrier islands. How much more fabulous could a day with your special someone be than time together to boat to several tiny islands where you can  picnic, sunbathe, drink wine and snorkel among gorgeous tropical fish! Does life truly get any better than this?

There are three options for accommodations on Vahine Island. There are beach bungalows, deluxe beach bungalows and over-water bungalows. Prices are not cheap but the island resort looks like the ultimate escape; Beach Bungalows with half board (two meals) costs between 598 dollars a night for two and 665 dollars in high season for the same accommodation with two daily meals. The Deluxe Beach Suites and the Over-water Bungalows go for an equal price of 771 dollars a night with two meals a day to 838 dollars for the same during high season. High season is June 1 to October 31st. There are also rates available with no meals included. For more information on Vahine Island click the link above to see this Society Island hide away resort for yourself.

Photo Credits: “Copyright E PINEL”

This organization also offers students the opportunity of applying for a scholarship program to assist with paying for this South Pacific adventure. When I choose Tahiti and a scholarship for a high school student I was given a list of 12 possible scholarship programs; several through stateside universities and a few through private foundations. What an amazing opportunity and option for a motivated teen to spend three weeks in the South Pacific learning new skills and gaining insights that few have the opportunity to experience in their lifetime. This program began in 1986 and the website shows that the trip is usually for a group of ten students and that students travel in groups. To apply for the Action Quest Program in Tahiti there is a written application as well as a telephone interview. Cost of this program without a scholarship is  listed at $4,790. Other programs are available for the Caribbean, Galapagos Islands, Australia and the  Mediterranean.

 Tahiti Picture: Flickr photo by mewtate