If you’re sick of London’s polluted air, you might want to consider escaping to an ‘absurdly beautiful’ collection of islands in the middle of the ocean to clear your lungs.
According to the World Air Quality Report by IQAir, the world’s worst air quality is found in Bangladesh, followed by Pakistan, India, Tajikistan and Burkina Faso. And, quelle surprise, the UK did not fare too well either.
It might seem like an extreme measure, but to access the best air quality you’ll need to fly to a super remote destination in the South Pacific – and that’s French Polynesia, a collection of 121 geographically dispersed islands and atolls.
Meanwhile, in second place was Mauritius, followed by Iceland, Grenada, Bermuda, and New Zealand. Honourable mentions also went to Australia, Puerto Rico, Estonia and Finland.
Famous for its coral lagoons, waterside bungalow hotels, mountains and black sand beaches, French Polynesia is so large that it’s divided into five groups of islands: the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, and the Austral Islands.
Tahiti, which is found in the Society Islands group, is home to the majority of the area’s residents, housing 69% of the population. Likewise, Bora Bora is a popular tourist destination, as are Taha’a Island, Raiatea Island, and Huahine Island.
Things to do in French Polynesia
Visitors to French Polynesia often start in Tahiti, as it’s the largest and most developed island.
It’s divided into Tahiti Nui (the larger section in the west) and Tahiti Iti (the eastern peninsula), hosting an array of breathtaking natural sites including lagoons, waterfalls, and two extinct volcanoes.
To access peace (and crucially, shade, as Tahiti gets incredibly hot), stroll along the Pā’ōfa’i Gardens, found in the middle of Papeete town centre. It’s comprised of a one-mile stretch of paths that line the waterfront, housing hundreds of exotic trees and shrubs as well as ornamental fish ponds.
There’s similar beauty to be found at the Fa’aruma’i Waterfalls, which is free to visit, as well as the black sands of Taharuu Beach.
And to learn more about local history, culture and nature, visit the Museum of Tahiti and The Islands, which is the national museum of French Polynesia, presenting native jewellery and cultural artefacts such as whaling canoes.
Meanwhile, nearby Tikehau was described by one delighted Reddit user as having ‘absurdly beautiful’ waters.
‘There was hardly any civilization outside of people who lived and worked in the hotels, dive instructors,’ wrote Ibz25 in the Tahiti thread.
‘This island is the only place in Polynesia where you’re essentially guaranteed to swim with a Manta Ray and I got within a few feet of one that was at least twice my size.’
As mentioned, Bora Bora is also a popular highlight, surrounded by coral reefs and turquoise lagoons, which make it similarly apt for scuba diving.
The Bora Bora Lagoonarium houses a diverse range of tropical fish within a small, naturally enclosed section of the wider lagoon, while Matira Beach offers scenic hiking trails as well as stunning, crystal-clear waters.
Mount Otemanu rises up more than 2,400 feet from the surface of a turquoise lagoon, and is best explored with a guide on a day trip, bookable through the likes of Tripadvisor.
How to get to French Polynesia
Despite its fresh air, French Polynesia isn’t super easy to get to.
If you’re travelling from the UK, it involves multiple journeys, with one involving a flight from London Heathrow Airport to Los Angeles, followed by a flight from LA to Fa’a’ā International Airport (if you want to travel to Tahiti, that is).
If you want to go onwards to Bora Bora, you’ll need to change again at Fa’a’ā.
When to visit French Polynesia
French Polynesia is famous for being sun-soaked all year round, so the best time of year to visit isn’t necessarily dictated by the weather, but rather by the high season.
The most popular time of year to visit Bora Bora, for example, is between May and October, when flights could set you back close to £2,000. However, if you visit outside of this time period, you’ll likely snap up a better deal.
Between January and April, temperatures reach highs of 28C, while in September, October and November, it averages between 26C and 27C.
The top 10 countries with the best air quality in the world, according to IQAIR
- French Polynesia
- Mauritius
- Iceland
- Grenada
- Bermuda
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Puerto Rico
- Estonia
- Finland.
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