Society Islands
archipelago of French Polynesia
The Society Islands are the most populated archipelago of French Polynesia.
Regions
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Windward Islands
edit- 1 Tahiti — the main island with the airport, the country's capital Papeete, and more than half of the population of French Polynesia in its entirety. The place is not as interesting as you might think and, for the most tourists, serves as break point after a long journey. From here you can reach all of the other minor islands by ferry or by air.
- Maiao — uninhabited.
- Mehetia — uninhabited.
- 2 Moorea — one of the most beautiful islands in the Societies. It's a "high island", which means it's mountainous, as are most of this group. It's easily accessible from Tahiti by ferry.
- Tetiaroa — private island. Once the vacation spot for Tahitian royalty, the atoll is widely known for having been purchased by Marlon Brando. The only inhabitant is Simon Teihotu Brando, one of the many sons of Marlon Brando.
Leeward Islands
edit- 3 Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful islands in the Society group. A popular destination but very pricey. Bora Bora is known for the beauty of its lagoon, the most beautiful in the group. The best known resorts are the Four Seasons and Intercontinental Thalasso. The best rooms are the Bungalows with lagoon view.
- 4 Huahine — a good choice for a resort vacation with a little more cultural activities and on a quieter island than the more popular islands nearby. Home to Maeva Marae, one of the most important archaeological sites of the archipelago.
- Manuae — an atoll with fifteen inhabitants.
- Maupiti — a beautiful and undeveloped island with just over 1,000 residents, which might be best to visit quickly before any resorts, restaurants, etc. go up.
- Maupihaa — an atoll with ten inhabitants.
- Motu One — uninhabited.
- 5 Raiatea and Taha'a are a pair of islands within the same lagoon. Taha'a has a beautiful lagoon with lots of motus, and a few high-end resorts. Raiatea is more known by yachters. It is considered the cradle of Polynesian civilization, and contains an important archaeological site, the Taputapuatea marae.
- Tupai — uninhabited.
Cities
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Map of Society Islands
- 1 Papeete - capital of French Polynesia, home to nearly half the country's population.