Although the Paris 2024 Olympics having the French capital as host, some sports will be held in other locations in France and even in another hemisphere. This is the case of Tahiti an autonomous overseas territory of the French Republic, which will receive surfing tests between July 27th and August 5th.
More than 15,700 kilometers away from Paris, island is the largest in French Polynesia a group of 118 islands and atolls in the South Pacific Ocean. To give you an idea, one of the most common flights between Paris and Papeete, capital of Tahiti takes about 20 hours and has a stop in Los Angeles, in the United States.
Surfing competitions will take place in Teahupo’o a village 75 kilometers from Papeete that is known for its challenging waves and world-class championships.
According to Olympic organizers, the decision to hold surfing in Tahiti “offers an opportunity to involve French overseas territories and their communities in the Olympic Games – for the first time in history – while showcasing France’s rich and diverse heritage.”
What is Tahiti like?
Tahiti became a French colony in 1880 and, 66 years later, in 1946, it was declared an autonomous overseas territory of the French Republic. It is the largest island in French Polynesia and has around 190,000 inhabitants, the majority of whom live on the coast.
The island is a result of volcanic activity, and is surrounded by coral reefs. The interior is mountainous, with valleys, rivers and waterfalls. The highest mountain in all of French Polynesia is located here: Mount Orohena with an altitude of 2,241 meters, which can be best explored by hiking with a guide.
The capital is Papeete, the gateway to the other islands in the region. The city’s main attractions are the cathedral, called Notre Dame Cathedral; the gardens of the Assembly of French Polynesia; the Presidential Palace of French Polynesia; the Pearl Museum and the market.
In the capital is the Tahiti–Faa’a International Airport which receives flights from cities in the United States, New Zealand and Japan, for example. It has connections with the other islands, some of which are also connected by ferries.
Unlike some of the Polynesian islands, Tahiti does not have a great visual appeal with its beaches. Most of the beaches are black sand such as Pointe Venus beach in the north, which has a historic lighthouse, or Taharuu in the south and Tautira in the southeast. La Plage de Maui, 1h30 from Papeete, breaks away from this standard with white sand and clearer waters.
According to the Tahiti tourism board, the best time to visit the island is in the dry season from May to October. Hotels are not abundant, with the InterContinental Resort Tahiti, the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, the Te Moana Tahiti Hotel and the Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts being the most recommended hotels.
The Olympic Beach
75 kilometers from Papeete is Teahupo’o a surfing spot famous for its strong waves. Every year, the location hosts one of the stages of the World Surf League (WSL).
One of the surfers who does best on the waves of Tahiti is the Brazilian Gabriel Medina who has already competed in nine WSL events at Teahupo’o. Since 2014, the surfer has always reached at least the semifinals at this beach.
For the Olympics, an Olympic Village was built with temporary facilities inspired by traditional Polynesian houses. Once the competition is over, the houses will be relocated as social housing.
X-ray of Tahiti
- Where it is : island in the Society Islands, French Polynesia, in the South Pacific Ocean;
- Language : French is the official language, but Tahitian is widely spoken, as is English in the more touristy areas;
- Coin : Pacific franc (XPF). Credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and supermarkets. The exchange rate with the euro never changes, where 1 euro is equivalent to 119.33 Pacific francs;
- Climate : tropical with average annual temperatures of 25ºC;
- Time zone : 7 hours less than Brasilia time;
- Visa : Brazilian tourists (staying for up to 90 days) do not need a visa to enter Tahiti;
- How to get : flights with connections from Brazil. There are direct flights to Papeete from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Tokyo, Auckland and Honolulu, for example.
To help Brazilians visiting Tahiti and France for the Olympics, the Itamaraty has released a guide with basic information about the locations. See the booklet here.
Bora Bora and other islands in the region
It is impossible to talk about French Polynesia and not mention let’s go a 50-minute flight from Papeete. The island is full of luxurious resorts with bungalows over the clear waters and often attracts couples in love with the idyllic and romantic setting.
In the center of the island is Mount Otemanu, an extinct volcano, surrounded by lush vegetation.
Resorts are major attractions in Bora Bora and the most sought-after are internationally-branded, such as Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora O St. Regis Bora Bora Resort O InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa and the Conrad Bora Bora Nui .
The atoll of Rangiroa the largest in French Polynesia, is an hour’s flight from Papeete and also attracts visitors for its views that look like they’ve come straight out of a computer wallpaper. It is a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. Mai Tai Rangiroa and the Hotel Kia Ora Resort this one with bungalows on the water, are the best known hotels.
Just a 20-minute flight from Tahiti is Tetiaroa an atoll that fell into the graces of actor Marlon Brando in the 1960s and turned it into a private retreat. Today the private location is home to the The Brando one of the most exclusive hotels in the world, with just 35 private villas and one residence. Surrounded by a coral reef and picturesque blue waters, the hotel offers water sports and keeps sustainability at its core.
For a more rustic stay, Maupiti attracts French families and does not have a large hotel structure. Names like Moorea , Tikehau , Fakarava , Huahin , Raiatea It is Nuka Hiva are also among the picturesque islands and atolls of French Polynesia.
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Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
