Where Is Tahiti & Is It a Country?

Before my first visit to French Polynesia, I had some questions about the region. Where is Tahiti? Is Tahiti a country, or is French Polynesia the country? And, is it part of France? There is a lot to know about Tahiti and French Polynesia before you visit – and I am going to cover all of it right here.

This might sound crazy, but Tahiti was never near the top of my travel list. If you’ve been here for a while, you know I frequent the deserts of the world more than the beaches.

But when I got a crazy flight deal to visit Tahiti, I knew I couldn’t pass it up.

Since it was a last minute trip, that meant I needed to quickly research where Tahiti is on the map and what I needed to know about island hopping and flying to the island.

To make it easier for you, here I will share some facts about if Tahiti is a country, where Tahiti is located, the island geography, and more. Let’s get into it!

👇 Planning a trip? Check out these top Tahiti tours and transfers! 👇

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Where Is Tahiti?

Tahiti is located in the South Pacific Ocean, roughly the same distance south of the Equator as Hawaii is north of it. Tahiti sits halfway between California and Australia, and its closest neighboring country is the Cook Islands.

Specifically it lies between Latitudes 7° and 27° S and Longitudes 134° and 155° W.

Is Tahiti a Country?

Tahiti is not a country. Rather, it is a single island within French Polynesia, which is an overseas collective of France.

Everyone who visits French Polynesia will likely visit Tahiti too, at least as a stopover. The main entry point into the country is through Fa’a’ā International Airport, located in the country’s capital city of Papeete, Tahiti.

Is French Polynesia a Country?

Technically speaking, French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France, and not a country. This means that it is not an independent nation-state with its own government. Rather, international affairs are handled by France on behalf of the islands.

However, for travelers, entering French Polynesia will be just like arriving at any international country. French Polynesia does have autonomy when it comes to matters such as infrastructure and tourism.

Millions of visitors visit French Polynesia each year to explore the amazing island of Tahiti, the hiking trails of Moorea, and the pristine beauty of Bora Bora.

Although French Polynesia has been socially and economically autonomous since 1977, it still technically falls under French jurisdiction which makes it part of a larger entity rather than an individual nation-state.

Where Is Tahiti on the Map?

Use this interactive Google Map to explore Tahiti’s location on the map. Simply zoom out on this map of Tahiti to see its neighbors, near and far.

The 5 Island Groups

French Polynesia is made up of 118 islands and atolls spread across an area roughly the size of Europe. These islands and atolls are split into five island groups, or archipelagos of French Polynesia.

The five island groupings are called the Society Islands, Tuamotu Islands, Gambier Islands, Austral Islands, and the Marquesas Islands.

Tahiti is located within the chain of islands called the Society Islands, along with my favorite island, Moorea.

Out of the 118 Islands of Tahiti, only 65 of them are inhabited. The vast majority of the population – roughly 70% – lives on the island of Tahiti, and half of that population lives in the country’s capital city, Papeete. 

Because of its size and infrastructure, Tahiti serves as the main hub of the region. It is well equipped with an international airport, sea port, reliable electricity and amenities, and the largest population.

You May Also Like: Tahiti vs. Moorea: Which is Better?

1. Society Islands

The most widely-visited of all five archipelagos is the Society Islands. This is likely because a) the international airport is located here, and b) it is the easiest and most budget-friendly island grouping to reach.

The Society Islands are home to the island of Tahiti and Moorea. Comprised of the Windward and Leeward Islands, the Society Islands are a true paradise for both beach-goers and adventurers.

• Tahiti
• Tetiaroa
• Moorea
• Huahine
• Raiatea
• Taha’a
• Bora Bora
• Maupiti

2. Tuamotu Islands

East of the Society Islands sits 77 called the Tuamotu Islands. These islands are spread across roughly 930 miles of the South Pacific waters.

The Tuamotu Islands grouping forms the largest chain of atolls in the entire world. The beautiful lagoons, unique ocean wildlife, and pristine beaches make the Tuamotus unforgettable.

• Rangiroa
• Tikehau
• Fakarava
• Ahe
• Nukutepipi

3. Gambier Islands

Nearly 1,000 miles southeast of Tahiti lies the Gambier Islands. Of the five archipelagoes, this is the the least populous and most remote area of French Polynesia.

Only 1,000 residents call the Gambier Islands home, and those that do are spread across 14 islands. Many of them live on the largest island of Mangareva.

• Mangareva

4. Marquesas Islands

The lush Marquesas Islands are characterized by enormous green cliffs, rugged volcanic peaks and beautiful beaches. About 932 miles northeast of Tahiti, it takes roughly three hours to reach the Marquesas by plane.

Those who make it here will find untouched island nature, not unlike Moorea – but much less touristed.

• Nuku Hiva
• Hiva Oa

5. Austral Islands

The Austral Islands are located on the Tropic of Capricorn, south of the Society Islands.

As the southernmost boundary of French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean, these islands offer a slightly cooler climate. With an abundance of nature and wildlife, the Austral Islands have a distinctly otherworldly feel.

Here, you can experience once-in-a-lifetime whale watching adventures, discover archaeological relics, and much more.

• Rurutu

Where Is Tahiti – Time Zone Information

Contrary to what you may have guessed, most of the Islands of Tahiti are in the same time zone as Hawaii. Personally, I had thought French Polynesia would have been across the international dateline from the USA, but that is not so.

Tahiti Time (TAHT) is 10 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) – (GMT-10), which is 2 hours behind Pacific Standard Time or 3 hours behind during Daylight Savings Time.

So, it is very easy to visit from the west coast and does not require much of a time change at all!

French Polynesia does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Tahiti Travel

If you are considering visiting the gorgeous islands of French Polynesia, here is some information that will help you plan you trip.

How to get to Tahiti

Visitors to French Polynesia will all fly into Tahiti from the United States, or elsewhere. Then from here, you have the option of either exploring Tahiti’s many things to do or moving on to other islands.

Most flights tend to land in the evening, making it almost impossible to leave Tahiti without spending at least one night here. But Tahiti is super fun to explore, so for me, that is not a problem!

The easiest island to reach is Moorea, via the Tahiti to Moorea ferry. And Moorea is more rural than Tahiti, so it feels lush, green and quiet in comparison.

My favorite part about Moorea were the many adventurous things to do, along with hiking Moorea‘s trails and snorkeling in Moorea‘s clear water beaches.

The next most popular, but much more pricey, island to visit is Bora Bora. Here, you have smooth white sand, shallow blue water, and a largely empty island.

This does mean you are forced to pay for hotel meal plans in most cases. But, the beauty is unmatched.

Safety in French Polynesia

French Polynesia is one of the safest countries to visit. I could feel that immediately, and I was visiting Tahiti as a solo female.

Check out this article for facts and statistics on Tahiti safety.

What to pack?

I have an entire article on what to pack for French Polynesia, but here are some basics.

How far is Tahiti from…

Want to explore how far Tahiti is from popular or nearby locales? Then check out this list.

• Distance from Tahiti to Australia – 4,895 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to France – 9,881 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to Fiji – 2,794 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to Cook Islands – 2,174 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to Vancouver, Canada – 3,039 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to Toronto, Canada – 6,111 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to India – 9,283 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to South Korea – 6,532 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to New York City, USA – 6,274 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to Los Angeles, USA – 4,123 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to New Zealand – 2,651 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to Hawaii – 1,632 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to Samoa – 1,395 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to Japan – 6,008 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to South Africa – 9,065 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to Chile – 4,845 miles
• Distance from Tahiti to Singapore – 7,343 miles

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FAQs

For anyone wondering where Tahiti is located and other geographical and political facts, check out the FAQs below.

Is Tahiti in the South Pacific?

Yes, Tahiti is an island in the South Pacific. It is part of the French Polynesian islands and is located south of the equator.

What is the largest island in French Polynesia?

Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia. It is part of the Society Islands grouping and spans across 403 square miles of lush island land.

Is French Polynesia part of France?

French Polynesia is technically an overseas collective of France. That means that it is not an independent nation-state but that international affairs are handled by France. However, it has been socially and economically autonomous since 1977.

Is Tahiti part of France?

Tahiti is one of the islands in French Polynesia, so it too it technically an overseas collective of France. Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia.

Is Tahiti a US territory?

No, Tahiti is not a US territory. French Polynesia is actually a French territory, or “collective” as it is technically called. The United States has no power or bearing over Tahiti and French Polynesia.

Is Tahiti in Hawaii?

No, Tahiti is not in Hawaii. Tahiti is not part of the United States. It is located south of the equator, and Hawaii is located north of the equator.

Is Tahiti very expensive?

While Tahiti is not known for being cheap, there are ways to travel French Polynesia on a budget. Some islands are more budget friendly, and others carry a high price tag.

Is Bora Bora the same as Tahiti?

Bora Bora and Tahiti are not the same. They are two separate islands within the same archipelago, and both are part of French Polynesia.

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Final Thoughts: Where is Tahiti?

I hope that this article has cleared up exactly where Tahiti is located on the map and what country it is part of!

Tahiti, Moorea, and the rest of French Polynesia are absolutely breathtaking. This is one of the most pristine and untouched areas on earth, particularly on the more remote islands.

If you have the chance to visit Tahiti and French Polynesia, be sure to check out the helpful travel resources below.

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