The nearest continental land masses are Australia, 5200km to the west, and South America, 6000km to the east. The territory's nearest Pacific neighbour is the Cook Islands, to the west. The islands are a mixture of volcanic high islands and coral atolls. The high islands have rich, fertile soil and support a much wider diversity of vegetation than the atolls. Many introduced flora species exist in the region, including hibiscus and bougainvillea.
Small geckos abound and there are large centipedes that have a decent sting.
French Polynesia has around 100 species of birds, including terns, petrels, noddies and frigatebirds. The abundance and diversity of marine life is immediately obvious when you poke you head underwater. French Polynesia's tropical climate has two distinct seasons. The dry season, between May and October, has little rain, drier air and slightly cooler temperatures. We encourage you to verify any critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel.