The Islands of Tahiti are home to some of the most luxurious eco-hotels, largest natural marine sanctuaries, as well as some of the healthiest coral gardens anywhere in the world. These conditions combined with relatively-low visitor volumes, not only make The Islands of Tahiti a remarkably beautiful place to visit, it also the ideal choice for travelers who are interested in environmentally-responsible travel options.
Below are just a few examples of ecotourism efforts taking place throughout The Islands of Tahiti.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui Launches the First Manta Ray Educational Program in Bora Bora!
Manta Ray Mornings are the newest program at Conrad Bora Bora Nui. The resort has entered an exclusive partnership with the world renowned Manta Trust Association in French Polynesia. Guests will dive into the world of the manta rays with a resident marine biologist and learn more about their habitat and preservation efforts during a program held twice a week.
Coral Garden Restoration Biorock© Program
Aiming at protecting and preserving the amazing and vibrant snorkeling conditions that exist in The Islands of Tahiti, Pearl Resorts of Tahiti has joined the Espace Bleu’s Biorock program. The Biorock technique helps to activate the recalcifying process of the damaged corals, through electricity from solar energy. Once these are mature enough, biologists will reintroduce them into their natural habitat, therefore repopulating reefs and coral gardens. This program is available at both Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa and Le Bora Bora with the To’a Nui coral garden facing Mount Otemanu.
Pearl Resorts of Tahiti
Okeanos Solar-Powered Cruises: Pearl Resorts of Tahiti, the parent company of Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa and Le Bora Bora, is a leader in conservation efforts in The Islands of Tahiti. The management company won the Trophées du Tourisme Innovation Award for the zero emissions, solar-powered catamaran, Okeanos Pearl. The innovative solar-powered catamaran is among the first of its kind and is offered to guests daily for sunset cruises. In addition to the Okeanos Pearl, projects are underway for solar-powered and hybrid boats to be available to guests for transfers.
Fare l’a Reserve at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
Also known as the Lagoonarium, Fare l’a Reserve is a natural aquarium and protected ocean habitat for marine life at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. The reserve is home to a reef ecosystem, which recreates the natural underwater conditions for over 200 species of sea creatures including parrot fish, Picasso fish and angelfish. Every day at 2:00pm, visitors have the opportunity to interact with the resident stingrays, which swim right up to the shore.
Largest Shark Sanctuary in the World
In 2012, more than 1.5 million square miles of sea were set aside across the five archipelagoes that make up The Islands of Tahiti as a shark preserve, creating the largest shark sanctuary in the world. This move provided a moratorium on shark fishing and finning, protecting more than 20 shark species – including lemon, tiger, gray reef, blacktip, whitetip, black fin, and mako. As a result, The Islands of Tahiti offer some of the most extraordinary opportunities for diving to observe sharks of anywhere in the world. Particularly in the Tuatmotu Archipelago, where in addition to being a shark sanctuary, the island of Fakarava is also designated as a UNESCO Biosphere. Here it is possible to see sharks in groups as large as 700 actively feeding. Sharks are important for ecological and cultural significance in French Polynesia, often representing the souls of ancestors in mythology. Several conservation organizations, including Reef Check and Te mana o te moana are engaged in monitoring the shark sanctuaries throughout French Polynesia.
Paul Gauguin Cruises and Wildlife Conservation Society
In 2017, Paul Gauguin Cruises partnered with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), whose mission is to protect half of the planet’s biodiversity and to help build a healthy, sustainable planet. This partnership resulted in a Wildlife Discovery Series where guests learned about marine wildlife and habitats from the world’s most knowledgeable conservationists, oceanographers and conservationists. Paul Gauguin Cruises and the Wildlife Conservation Society also offer the Stewards of Nature program, which provides youth (ages 7-17) and families the opportunity to discover and appreciate the natural world together. Offered aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin during the summer months and holiday season, the Stewards of Nature itinerary includes naturalist-led island and beach excursions, snorkeling, dolphin-watching, swimming with sharks and rays, games and educational programs about marine wildlife. For more information on the Paul Gauguin Cruises, WCS partnership and their programs. Learn more
Tetiaroa Society and Innovative Sustainability at The Brando
In addition to being on Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best list and being an undisputed favorite of Hollywood’s A-list, The Brando is also a leader in conservation in The Islands of Tahiti. The LEED Platinum Certified Resort features innovative design and conservation practices to ensure maximum water savings, energy efficiency, sustainable materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Tours are offered for resort guests who want to explore The Brando’s eco-friendly facilities including the innovative Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC) building, the coconut oil-powered electric plant, the organic garden, bee hives, and solar panel sites. The Tetiaroa Society is an onsite conservation society which conducts scientific research, as well as managing bird and green turtle sanctuaries. For more information or reservations for The Brando.
- Learn more about The Brando
- Learn about the Tetiaroa Society
Through the efforts of environmentally-responsible hotel and resort groups and various conservation organizations, The Islands of Tahiti remains one of most pristine and bio-diverse travel destinations in the world. For more information on this and many more conservation initiatives in The Islands of Tahiti, please visit http://www.temanaotemoana.org/
About Tahiti Tourisme North America
Tahiti Tourisme North America (TTNA) is the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the country of French Polynesia, more commonly known as The Islands of Tahiti. As the DMO for The Islands of Tahiti, TTNA oversees all marketing, advertising, public relations, promotions, events and travel advisor programs in North America. TTNA works regularly with airline, cruise line, hotel, resort, tour operator, travel advisor and consortia partners from prospective business development to product launch and marketing initiatives.
About The Islands of Tahiti
Located in the South Pacific, The Islands of Tahiti are just eight hours by air from California. Surrounded by pristine, crystal clear blue waters, the 118 islands and atolls offer natural beauty, authentic island culture, and unique French Polynesian style. Located in the South Pacific, The Islands of Tahiti are just eight hours by air from California, on the same side of the International Date Line as North America, and are in the same time zone as Hawaii. The Islands of Tahiti are world-renowned for their white-sand beaches, stunning turquoise lagoons and varied landscapes ranging from coral atolls to volcanic mountain peaks. Each island offers a variety of accommodation experiences from luxurious resorts with overwater villas, to family guesthouses, to sailing via private charter or scheduled cruise. Privacy comes naturally in The Islands of Tahiti and offers visitors the space to relax and reconnect and to be Embraced By Mana. Mana is the life force and spirit that connects all things in The Islands of Tahiti.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media