Tahiti is a dream destination, perfect for those wanting to escape big city nonsense and enjoy some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world.

A bobble-head dive helmet allows Megan Singleton to get up close and personal with the sealife.

Polynesian tattoos are a popular souvenir for tourists to Papeete, writes Sophie Bond.

Whisking your loved one to one of these romantic retreats will impress.

The author of the hugely-popular 1,000 Places To See Before You Die reveals her absolute favourite travel destinations.

Fresh Pasifika flavour with French flair ... Sophie Bond's in the markets for a treat.

An outing off Moorea turns Kerre Woodham into a fishing convert.

Herald artist Richard Dale takes his sketchbook with him on board a luxury cruise liner.

Gauguin finally has a fitting memorial, writes Diana Plater.

Keen to impress on Valentine's Day? Knock your beloved's socks off with a classic Gallic dish.

Waka ama is more than just the fun sport of outrigger canoeing, which fits in ideally with our Kiwi lifestyle and attracts paddlers of both sexes from age 7 to 70.

Graeme Lay braves high seas to get a local's perspective of all the best parts of Rangiroa atoll, an hour northeast of Tahiti.

A strike by government workers at Tahiti's international airport has grounded flights in and out of the island nation.

It's amazing what the lure of pottering around tropical fish and coral will do, writes newly-converted early bird Jill Worrall.

Moorea, along with ultra-expensive Bora Bora, is one French Polynesia's most popular islands with visitors. But remarkably, the impact of tourism, visually at least, is relatively low-key.

This blog is going to finish today beside the Moorea lagoon, I promise.

Wave activity "appears to be stabilised" at previously-reported levels, Civil Defence Emergency Management says.

Susan Buckland boards a freighter, bound for hauntingly beautiful islands where ancient man-size stone tiki guard moody, lush valleys.

Two women abandon bland in favour of the sunny colours and natural style of our neighbours.

The global downturn is hitting travel plans, but Megan Singleton discovers a way to make that Tahitian holiday affordable after all.