2010 solar eclipse - Tahiti by Mark Sukhija

About French Polynesia

Tahiti is part of French Polynesia and is the largest island in the Windward group of islands in the south Pacific. The island has a population of around 175,000 and is the the most populated island of French Polynesia

2010 in French Polynesia

On the 11th July, 2010 a total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of French Polynesia. Tahiti, the largest island in the Windward group of islands, will only experience a partial eclipse. However, many of the small islands and atolls will experience totality. Images showing the path through French Polynesia can be found here. Of these smaller islands so far I've only identified Tatakoto as being quite close to the centre line of the eclipse and as having an airstrip. Anaa and Hao also have airstrips but are further from the centre line.

How to get there

Tahiti is served by Faa'a International Airport, close to Papeete (Papy - et - tay). All international flights to French Polynesia land in Tahiti. Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, and Air New Zealand. operate international flights to Tahiti.

Air Tahiti Nui operates flights to other French Polynesian Islands.

Flights around the dates of the eclipse are likely to be sold out some time in advance. So book early. Getting around French Polynesia to the smaller islands will likely require you to charter a plane.

Accomodation

I've not done a detailed examination of the accomodation options in French Polynesia as we'll be travelling to Easter Island but expect accomodation to be in short supply for the eclipse. Many of the smaller islands are uninhabited and you may need to make either specific arrangements to stay overnight or arrive and depart on the same day.

Further reading