The 10 things to do in Tahiti

Tahiti offers to you? Don’t waste a moment and enjoy our selection of incontours to visit Tahiti! Guaranteed emotions.

This is it, the time has finally come: you fly for Tahiti! Considered as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, Tahiti remains indisputed and wild.

With its heavenly beaches, its mountains full of secrets and its inhabitants as warm as the thermometer, a question arises: how to visit Tahiti? And since it’s not just about doing it Farniente in the sun, Wanderlix answers you with its selection of uncontourable to visit Tahiti!

1. Visit the capital, Papeete

Pope, who speaks Grandpa Tahitian Pope (water) and ete (Cobeille), is the capital of the French Polynesia and is located on the island of Tahiti, northwest. Walk on the seafront to discover the port, the city center and its streets decorated by many works of Street-Art . To finish, go to Paofai Park , from which you can admire a breathtaking view of Moorea, the sister island of Tahiti.

2. Discover the municipal market of Papeete

True entity of the city, the municipal market is to be done absolutely in Tahiti. Big size, it occupies a whole house paste. You will find everything there: jewelry, pareo, fresh fish, tropical fruits at low prices, fresh fruit juice...

But also local dishes prepared on site that you will only have to taste: raw fish, raw fish Ma’a Tinito (one of the most popular dishes in Polynesia: a dish based on red beans and pork meat), exotic ice creams...

The municipal market of Papeete is an institution by which one must pass if one really wants to visit Tahiti in its entirety.

3. Pass his diving baptism

The dive is a must-do among the things to do in Tahiti. If you can, offer a diving baptism supervised by the professionals of a club. It will be bottled and you can then go down to see the incredibly beautiful funds of the Tahitian coast.

Corals, fauna and flora sometimes endemic, everything is beautiful. You will come out of energy but filled with memories. However, if you can’t afford it financially, nothing prohibits you from taking a mask and tuba and going to visit the funds by yourself. The sensations are not the same, but this is about exploring the funds and discovering their wealth. In a framed or free diving, Tahiti will offer you what it has more beautiful.

4. Discover the beaches of black sand

To visit Tahiti, you must of course go through the beaches. Already that those of white sand are beautiful, tell yourself that a black sandy beach is even more, because of its originality.

The island of Tahiti has several but we advise you to discover four. There are others, but less maintained, or less easy to access...

• La Pointe Vénus. In addition to being a beautiful stretch of black sand, it is a course that houses a lighthouse and offers a view of a part of the west coast of the island. Fitted coast, it offers: parking, showers, sanitary, picnic tables and even a supervised bathing perimeter.
• The beach of Tautira. Located on the north coast of the peninsula, this beach offers some amenities: showers, tables, petanque land and even games for children.
• The beach of Taharuu in Papara. Known as a very good surf spot, it does not always allow access to swimming. That said, nothing prevents you from going there to observe surfers, sunbath a bit and eat a bit. And above all, to enjoy the view.
• Beach Vaiiha in Faaone. Very beautiful, with its two wild borders, it offers an intimate setting, ideal to spend a moment in love, with friends or with family. Surfers can also venture into it, but swimming is still accessible.

5. Visit Tahiti and its islands

Among the things to do in Tahiti there are also its surroundings: Moorea, Bora-Bora, Huahine, Tetiaroa, Rangiroa... Air Tahiti Nui airline provides inter-island flights. We advise you to check upstream on these flights, via an online comparison as Skyscanner , because according to the dates and the price, it could modulate your stay.

On the spot, depending on the island you visit, there is obviously a whole list of new things to do. Start by enjoying the beaches and infrastructure on site. For example, on the island of Rangiroa (pronounced rowuiroa ), if you visit the pas de Tiputa (often considered the "Diver Mecca") and you put a mask and a tuba, you will have the opportunity to meet dolphins...

6. Attend the Heiva

If you are lucky to visit Tahiti during the month of July, we highly recommend you attend Heiva. It is an annual festival that takes place over almost three weeks.

He honours all Polynesian culture through competitions tamure (pronounced tamouré), traditional local dances, songs, and sports. It is an event that brings together all participants around the sharing and celebration of Polynesian culture.

7. Observe the wave of Teahupoo

The beach of Teahupoo is located south of Tahiti. It is a very famous spot because every year it houses one of the stages of the World Surf Championship, but also other international competitions. This wave, “left”, is also one of the most frightening and dangerous in the world! That’s why she’s impressive to see! With a little luck, you will go there at the time of a competition...

8. Roll to the Belvedere of Taravao

Taravao is the town on the plateau that joins the great island of Tahiti (Tahiti nui) and its peninsula (Tahiti iti). In the middle, there is this passage between two character lands. Take the time to ride to the Belvedere of Taravao, from which you will have the leisure to enjoy an amazing view of the peninsula.

9. Gravir the Mount Orohena

The ascent of Mount Orohena (2,241 metres) is not made on a blow of head. Indeed, it is an intense hike, which requires training but also three days minimum. The gift to the arrival is worth it, because you will have a completely clear view of the island of Tahiti, and in case of very good conditions, on the archipelagos in the distance.

We advise you to consult with accredited professional bodies before attempting this ascent. The ascent of Mount Orohena is a beautiful way to visit Tahiti, but also one of the most difficult.

10. Get tattooed

Tahiti tattoo is a real institution. Moreover, the word tattoo finds its etymological origin in the Tahitian language: the word tatau Mean to score, draw, hit. It is an ancestral art: the tattoo has made its entry into the tahitian culture even before writing.

It is very widespread on the island, because for the premises it is like a piece of identity, a way for them to tell their story. For those who appreciate the art of tattoo and who would like to take part in it, take advantage of being on site to get an appointment and forever mark your skin.

11. Taste local cuisine

Travelling to the other end of the world without delighting local culinary delights would be a great mistake. Visiting Tahiti, beyond the beauty of its landscapes, is also confronting the reality and wealth of its culture.

Tahitian local cuisine is a lot in fresh, easily accessible products. Especially fresh fish, fruits and vegetables that make up much of the local specialties. Many recipes will delight the most gourmet of you.

It would be pretentious to want to list all of you here, but we can already tell you fish (a dish full of freshness) chicken fafa (cocon and taro leaves, similar to spinach), poe banane (a mixture based on banana, cassava flour, coconut milk and vanilla)...

There are for all tastes, from entry to dessert. Also note the presence of Tahian wines, produced on the Tuamotu archipelago. And of course, enjoy the wide variety of exotic fruits and fresh vegetables!

A tasteful cuisine sometimes very demanding

Attention, this says, all recipes are not always as delicate... Let’s say that some of them ask to have a solid heart and stomach. For example, fāfaru , a preparation based on fish nets (usually tuna) that macerate in a brine made of sea water and shrimp pressed.

This is consumed when the fish began its decomposition, or when it is very advanced... Its odor, very strong, can repel certain sensitive souls, but this dish is very famous and current on the Polynesian archipelago.

How to go to Tahiti?

From France

The aircraft is the quasi-unique means of transport to Tahiti. Indeed, its insularity reduces accessibility to the island of Tahiti. Several airlines serve Tahiti from Paris (Air Tahiti Nui, Air France...), but it will not be non-stop.

These lines between France and Tahiti must pass through Los Angeles International (LAX), for a stopover that can last more than five hours. The minimum flight time (with the stopover) is about twenty hours, but depending on the duration of the American stopover, it can go beyond twenty-four hours. Take this into account when planning your stay. To get your tickets, go to Skyscanner , online tool for optimized flights and at the best price!

Please note that the landing is at Faaa Airport, 5 kilometres from Papeete. Buses circulate from 05:00 in the morning and take you to the center of Papeete. There are also car rentals near the airport.

And on the spot, how to move?

The state of the roads is improving more and more, you are advised to rent a car . As local buses are not always very reliable, with a rental car, you will have the freedom to go from one place to another by stopping on the road to take pictures (for example) when you like. You can also rent bikes for short trips.

Where to stay in Tahiti?

These are not the hotels that are missing in Tahiti. That's all. resort luxury or in a family pension, a holiday club or a youth hostel, you will easily find a place to stay. Even housing Airbnb made a place in Tahiti!

Of course, the budget has its place in the choice you will make. The most comfortable will choose a luxury hotel, when others choose a more affordable formula. One. hotel comparison will give you an overall idea of what is available on site.

You can easily find one hotel or resort on Papeete and its surroundings at very affordable prices as high-end, but also throughout the coast, to Teahupoo.

Many very well-maintained hotel facilities follow to ensure the tourist affluence of the destination. If you opt for a rental car, you can also choose to change your accommodation every two or three days. A road trip to Tahiti, why not?

You now know how to enjoy the Pacific but especially how to visit Tahiti. It is an island full of surprises and mysteries that you have to discover. There are so many things to do in Tahiti that one article will never suffice to describe everything to you.