The 10 best hotels in tuamotu archipelago for 2020 from. In 1521, magellan spotted the atoll of pukapuka in what is now the tuamotu islands and, in 1595, the spanish explorer mendana visited visited the island of fatu hiva in the marquesas. The tuamotu archipelago is comprised of 77 slender coral atolls clusters of small. The early history of the tuamotu islands is generally shrouded in mystery. The archaeological record indicates that the tuamotu archipelago was first settled by explorers from the society islands in about 700 a. This is the reason why the atoll has remained so untouched. The best spots are accessible by planecargo shiplocal guide.
Polynesian culture, the beliefs and practices of the indigenous peoples of the ethnogeographic group of pacific islands known as polynesia from greek poly many and nesoi islands. Cradle of catholicism in polynesia, its feature many remnants of religious buildings form the mid1800s, such as saint michel cathedral, where the altar, inlaid with mother of pearl and. The history of the tuamotu archipelago differs from that of the other french polynesian islands in terms of its discovery, the way in which its sparse resources have been worked, the role played by the christian missionaries, the installation of the nuclear testing centre in the southeastern part of the archipelago, and the effects of the presentday economic situation. Tuamotu islands surfing in tuamotu islands, polynesia. Learn about the fascinating cultures of the ancient french polynesian people and take your pick of a wide range of optional activities each day of the trip. Marquesas, tuamotus and society islands explor cruises. I told him that i had read about the islands in a very old book. One of the main proponents of this alternative theory was the norwegian explorer thor heyerdahl, who, in 1947, famously sailed aboard the kontiki from the coast of peru to the tuamotu islandsover 4,300 miles away more than just the kontiki, however, sweet. Rose island michigan, united states private islands. The tuamotu islands and tahiti by glynn barratt university of british columbia. Tahiti, the society and tuamotu islands intrepid travel us.
Cruise shore excursions tahiti and the tuamotu islands. Tuamotu islands the tuamotus, also referred to in english as the tuamotu archipelago or the tuamotu islands, are a french polynesian chain of almost 80 islands and atolls forming the largest chain of atolls in the world. Tuamotu islands tahiti tahiti vacations 202021 goway. Bora bora, tahaa, moorea, huahine, raiatea, rangiroa, tetiaroa, tikehau, and ahe islands sculpted by skypiercing, mossgreen peaks and lined with vivid turquoise lagoons.
Other theories suggest that the polynesians may have actually sailed from south america. Manihi a ring shaped atoll that forms a lagoon perfect for scuba and black pearl farming. The inhabited islands are mangareva pearl, taravai belcher, temoe, aukena elson, and akamaru wainwright, with some smaller islands which are surrounded by an outer coral reef through. Stop over documentary, discovery, history 781,088 views 53. During your journey, explore captivating fakarava, an atoll known for its pristine beaches and exceptional snorkeling, and the utterly remote marquesas islands, home to ancient cultural. Marquesas, tuamotus, and society islands cruise wilderness. The marquesas islands and the tuamotu archipelago on board the aranui and the orava documentary duration. Moorea is one of the most spectacular islands in the world, and it has a vibrant cultural history. Your guide to french polynesias tuamotus islands forbes. On our 10 or 11day voyage in french polynesia, experience one of earths most beautiful and most rare places. The archipelago comprises 75 atolls, one raised coral atoll makatea, and innumerable coral reefs, roughly dispersed northwestsoutheast as a double chain for more than 900 miles 1,450 km.
The atolls are made of numbers of motu little islets that close together to unveil a deep blue ocean on. The kontiki expedition was a 1947 journey by raft across the pacific ocean from south america to the polynesian islands, led by norwegian explorer and writer thor heyerdahl. The tuamotu islands are a vast archipelago of several island groups in french polynesia islands king george islands. Each is comprised of hundreds of little motu islets, which are clumps of. Two possible explanations for this population boom come to mind. By now i had heard the story from nearly every human on the island, how there. One theory is that the paumotu people of the tuamotus fled from the leeward and marquesas islands following conflicts during the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Wannasurf free illustrated atlas of surf spots and surfing worldwide with maps of surf spots, detailed descriptions and photos. Mangareva located more than 1 700 kilometers east of tahiti, the gambier archipelago has rare atmosphere of history and mystery that make the trip worthwhile. Plan a trip or vacation to the islands of tahiti, including. The tuamotus, also referred to in english as the tuamotu archipelago or the tuamotu islands.
This record is limited, as thee low lying islands are wiped clean by the oceans and little of the early cultures remains. With only 400 local inhabitants working at either the pearl farms or the single resort, this destination is truly at the edge of the world. The tuamotu islands is a chain of islands and atolls in french polynesia. Kontiki is also the name of heyerdahls book, the academy awardwinning documentary film. Fakarava, with an ecosystem so diverse it has been named a unesco biosphere reserve.
With only 400 local inhabits working at either the pearl farms or the single resort. Living up to their reputation, the tuamotu are a mustsee for experienced divers. The tuamotu islands and tahiti by glynn barratt, 1992. Tuamotu islands, french polynesia the largest of the polynesian archipelagos includes over 76 islands and atolls, extending over more than 20,000 square kilometres, sparsely inhabited by a mere 12,500 people. Natural beauty is on display everywhere you look on this twoweek journey through the marquesas, tuamotus, and the society islands. Society islands includes tahiti genealogy familysearch wiki. Stop over documentary, discovery, history 116,609 views 54. Tuamotu islands tuamotu and gambier islands, french polynesia. This unique property rich with history is outstanding in todays market. The history of the tuamotu archipelago differs from that of the other french polynesian islands in terms of its discovery, the.
Quoting the website of the presidency of french polynesia page no longer online tuamotu is the biggest of the five archipelagos of french polynesia. Oct 18, 2012 the marquesas islands and the tuamotu archipelago on board the aranui and the orava documentary duration. Kontiki is also the name of heyerdahls book, the academy awardwinning documentary film chronicling his adventures. Instead of tourism, the local economy is still focused on. This instalment offers surveys and discussion of the. The tuamotu archipelago 78 coral reef atolls spread north and east of tahiti are just remote enough theyve not been spoiled by excessive tourism. The inhabited islands are mangareva pearl, taravai belcher, temoe, aukena elson, and.
Tuamotu archipelago project gutenberg selfpublishing. The tuamotu islands have been showing a remarkably fast population growth rate, even in comparison with the french polynesian territory as a whole. The raft was named kontiki after the inca god viracocha, for whom kontiki was said to be an old name. But, there are boat restrictions during the cyclone season so sometimes the government canwill keep you out. Tuamotu islands the ocean embrace a string of atolls set between sky and ocean and a world renowned scuba divers paradise, the tuamotu is the archipelago that mostly reveals a blue tinged facette of polynesia. With only 400 local inhabitants working at either the pearl farms or the single resort, this destination is truly at the edge. French polynesias tourismdominated service sector accounted for 85% of total value added for the economy in 2012. Each is comprised of hundreds of little motu islets, which are. Tuamotu means islands on the oceans back, and some romantic observers liken them to the backs of surfacing whales.
The tuamotu islands are a vast archipelago of several island groups in french polynesia regions king george islands. It is informed by archaeology, anthropology, genetics, linguistics, and other disciplines. Left to themselves for a long time, many of the atolls were brought back to life through the development of tourism and some 250 tahiti cultured pearl farms. Join us on board our special holidays sailings, roundtrip from tahiti unraveling the society and tuamotu islands. Tuamotu archipelago, island group of french polynesia, central south pacific ocean. Mangareva mysterious island book with etahiti travel. Gambier islands or mangareva or iles gambier, are volcanic islands which lie at the eastern end of the tuamotu archipelago about 900 miles from tahiti. The tuamotus travel french polynesia lonely planet. Life in the atolls is equal parts harsh and paradisiacal. Tuamotu islands genealogy genealogy familysearch wiki. Asleep for many years, now it has come back to life through the establishment of some 250 pearl farms and tourism based on rich scuba diving sites. People have lived on moorea for almost 2,000 years, and a rich history of traditional knowledge has been passed down through the generations.
Discovered by french explorers jacques lemaire and willem schouten, takapoto is a closed island without a real pass allowing the lagoon and ocean to meet. This is the final volume in a series entitled russia and the south pacific, 16961840. Archaeological findings lead to the conclusion that the western tuamotus were settled from the society islands by circa 700 cead. Natural beauty is on display everywhere you look on this twoweek voyage through the marquesas, tuamotus, and the society islands, a dreamy realm of majestic mountains, blue lagoons, and vibrant cultures. Australia oceania french polynesia the world factbook. The early history of the tuamotu islands is shrouded in mystery. Tuamotu archipelago travel guide expert picks for your. Asleep for many years, now it has come back to life through the establishment of some 250. Kontiki is also the name of heyerdahls book, the academy award.
On the islands of rangiroa, manihi and mataiva, there are flat ceremonial platforms. Rose island michigan, united states private islands for sale. List of books and articles about polynesia online research library. Oct 27, 20 stop over documentary, discovery, history 781,088 views 53. They make up the worlds largest chain of coral atolls with a total of 78 stretching 1500 kilometres900 miles northwest to south east and 500kilometres300 miles east to west, an area as large as western europe. Manihi a ring shaped atoll that forms a lagoon perfect for scuba diving and black pearl farming. Visit tuamotu islands, french polynesia audley travel. A boat will help you out during certain times of the year. Human history or the history of humanity also history of the world is the carefully researched description of humanitys past. They form the largest chain of atolls in the world, about the size of western europe. Tuamotu atolls the labyrinth the largest of the polynesian archipelagos includes 76 islands and atolls extending over 1250 square miles. Uncover the islands of two archipelagos by small ship. Christina thompsons sea people tells the story of the people of. Tuamotu archipelago islands, french polynesia britannica.
The tuamotu archipelago consists of 76 islands and atolls spread out over 20,000 square kilometers. The history of the tahitian mission, 17991830 by john davies. We will let the trade winds of french polynesia, which have enticed sailors for centuries, fill the sails of wind spirit as we sail through the. This 12day adventure around tahiti, the society islands and tuamotu showcases some of the most pristine parts of the world from jungle, to coral reefs and everything in between. The tuamotu islands are decidedly remote and perfect for the traveller wanting to get away from it all on a tahiti vacation. Other tuamotu islands featuring amazing white sand beaches lined with coconut trees, a crystal clear ocean thats warm to the touch, the 76 islands and atolls within the tuamotu archipelago are spread over an area of more than 700,000 sq. This itinerary offers plenty of time to explore at your own pace, from the pristine beaches and exceptional diving of the tuamotu archipelago to the marquesas islands of fatu hiva, hiva oa, tahuata, and nuku hiva, all of which are as rich in. Polynesia tahiti and the other society islands, the marquesas islands, the austral islands, and the tuamotu archipelago. This destination is truly at the edge of the world. However, since 2014, french polynesia has shown signs of recovery. Explore the depths of the rangiroas lagoon with this 5night dive package.
Guide to tuamotu islands ancestry, family history and genealogy. Idyllic and pristine, the takapoto atoll is a dream paradise. Its a land where the story of robinson crusoe could have actually taken place. The final volume in the quartet of books on the naval, scientific, and social activities of the imperial russian navy in the south pacific, this book focuses on the expeditions to tahiti and the dangerous atoll chains to its east, known as the tuamotus. Tuamotuislands the atolls of french polynesia trailer. Instead of tourism, the local economy is still focused on businesses that go back centuries. Enjoy all that the 118 tahitian islands have to offer.
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