Dreaming of turquoise lagoons, white sandy beaches, vibrant tropical flowers and the lush green of the rainforests?

Colour your dreams Oceania blue - the colour of one of the World's most beautiful diving destinations: Tahiti and her Islands.

This archipelago of islands offer an absolute feast for the eyes, blessed with such tranquil beauty above and below sea level, complimented by its rich Polynesian history, culture and the friendly, beautiful local people.

Her intensely blue depths are home to some of the most beautiful species ever created by nature. Here you can encounter almost anything, from manta rays, lemonfish, hammerhead sharks, and humpback whales, to every kind of shoal fish. That lurks within.

The main island of Tahiti offers a rich and colourful underwater landscape, mysterious and spectacular. Caverns full of lobster, walls of gorgonia, gardens of beautiful corals and 2 wrecks are just waiting for you to visit.

A comfortable 4 hour 50 minute flight with Air Tahiti Nui from Auckland, Tahiti lies sprawled over approximately 4 million square kilometres of ocean, with over 118 islands and atolls.

The main island, "Tahiti", is a circular island of volcanic origins attached to a smaller island by a narrow isthmus. The

centre of both islands are dramatically mountainous, criss crossed by deep beautiful valleys. The rocky coastline offers spectacular views and long black sand beaches, with the main city of Papeete and other smaller villages dotted around the edges.

Lush tropical gardens and forests abound, filled with colourful hibiscus, bougainvillea and the fragrant tiare flower. Impressive waterfalls, mysterious grottos and archaeological sites steeped in legend are hidden around the island.

Don't miss a visit to the Musée Gauguin - a museum dedicated to artist Paul Gauguin who spent much of his life painting the brilliant colours of Tahiti.

Fakarava :

A comfortable one hour 5 minute flight from Papeete, Fakarava is the second largest atoll in Polynesia, 60km long by 25kms wide, set around the edge of a huge rectangular lagoon. The diving here is fantastic, with an abundance of fish life.

Rotoava village has a small airport and is located 6 miles from the one-kilometre wide Garuae pass. It is a charming village, home to most of the atoll's 248 inhabitants. The only other sort of settlement (10 people ) is on Tetamanu motu (islet) located at the opposite end of the lagoon next to the southern Tetamanu pass.

Fakarava's immense lagoon has several black pearl farms, idyllic white sand beaches and is peppered with small islands, homes to many breeds of nesting birds oblivious to visitors. Don't forget to visit the sea slug smoke house, and the Tetamanu Catholic church, built from coral in 1874.