Bike/Scooter Rentals Rent a bicycle or scooter, and see French Polynesia up-close and personal. Rentals are a great way for curious visitors to mix with the natives, take in the sights, and customize their vacation experience.

Camping
The campgrounds of French Polynesia are popular with backpackers, students and other visitors who enjoy "roughing it." Campgrounds are always private, and there are no facilities in parks or other public areas. Visitors interested in spending time camping in the wilderness, there are guides on Tahiti that will take you on camping trips.

Circle Island Tours
Get a sense for the "local color" by registering for a circle island tour. These bus tours, which are available on selected islands in French Polynesia, visit the small villages, fields, hills and plantations of the region, giving tourists a feel for everyday Tahitian life. Our knowledgeable guides help make these tours enriching as well as stimulating.

Handicraft Shopping
Tahiti and Her Islands are a shopper's dream featuring a mind-boggling array of merchandise: exquisite, one-of-a-kind black pearl jewelry, decorous, hand-crafted garments, gorgeous woven goods and stunning carved items. For art lovers, our galleries brim with a variety of paintings, sculptures and crafts. From primitive to contemporary, the artisans of French Polynesia are as inspiring as the Islands themselves.

Helicopter Tours
To thrillseekers looking for a pulse-quickening experience, helicopter tours offer bird's eye views of Tahiti and Her Islands. Soar above velvety-green volcanic peaks, past sprawling crystalline waters and sparkling sands.

Hiking
There's something about the notion of hiking through French Polynesia that appeals to the explorer in visitors. Trails are numerous on all our islands, and it's a good idea to seek out a guide to ensure against getting lost.

Horseback
Few experiences in this world are as magical as exploring the French Polynesian countryside by horseback. Examining our mountains, hills, valleys and volcanic peaks on horseback is a marvelous way for visitors to commune with nature. The Tahitian Islands are home to some of the finest riding stables in all of Polynesia. The horses here are usually of Marquesan or New Zealand stock. Information on local stables can be obtained at your hotel.

Jeep Safari Tours
Discover the inland regions of French Polynesia by taking a jeep safari tour in a rugged 4-wheel drive vehicle. With capacity for up to 40 guests, Jeep excursions allow visitors to explore the mysterious and exotic Tahitian interiors. High-altitude peaks, rushing waterfalls, lush bamboo forests, emerald valleys and a staggering multiplicity of trees and plants await visitors who embark on these unique tours.

Mountain Bike Tours
Don your helmet and take to the hills when you sign-up for a mountain bike tour. Guided excursions are available, or rent a bike from a car rental agency.

Motu Picnics
The lush "motu" islets surrounding Tahiti and Her Islands are just right for an outdoor feast. These miniature, palm-covered paradises offer a getaway from the bustle of city life. You won't find roads, cars, markets or restaurants, just secluded atmosphere, pristine surroundings and a romantic ambiance. Make a motu escape part of your vacation plans.

Museum Tours
No visit to Tahiti is complete without a visit to the Island's unique and fascinating museums. From cultural relics and exhibits chronicling the exploits of famed Tahitian explorers like James Cook and Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, to the earthy art of Paul Gauguin, Tahiti's rich historic legacy begs to be explored. The Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands is world-renowned for its comprehensive exhibits detailing the history of French Polynesia, while the Gauguin Museum features photos, documents and art by the legendary painter, Paul Gauguin. The Tahiti Perles Museum in Papeete displays the most beautiful black pearl creations in the world. There's even a qauint colonial-style museum, Musee des Coquillages, that showcases seashells from the region.

Rental Cars
Travelers wishing to explore French Polynesia on their own can rent vehicles from the many automobile rental agencies serving the Islands. French Polynesia boasts a number of world-renowned rental car agencies including Avis, Budget, Hertz and others. Rentals include everything from compacts, 4x4 vehicles, minivans, and luxury automobiles such as Mercedes and BMW.

Tahiti Marketplace (Le Marché)
Tahiti's premiere marketplace, Le Marché Papeete, is a great place to pick up handicrafts and souvenirs. Shoppers will find an assortment of jewelry, hats, skirts, carvings, mats and weaving here, as well as small cafes and vendors offering tempting fruits, vegetables and fish. All in all, a visit to Le Marche is a shopping experience to remember.