French Polynesia is made up of some 200 islands — the Society, Tuamotu, Gambier, Austral and Marquesas groups — spread over 4.1 million square kilometers of Pacific Ocean. The Society Islands, which include the island of Tahiti and French Polynesia’s capital Papetee, are the most populated and most visited group. Many of the islands are surrounded by the fringing reef that creates a protected swimming pool of the most intense aqua hue imaginable. Fish, dolphins, rays, sharks, turtles and more inhabit these clear-water coral gardens that are as excellent for snorkeling as they are for diving and swimming. Surfers ride glassy wave faces at reef passes while kitesurfers and windsurfers fly across the water terrain with the trade winds.