This French Polynesian island has white-sand beaches and clear waters ideal for snorkeling. Local restaurants serve fresh seafood and Polynesian dishes near coral reefs and rainforests.
Tahiti's volcanic peaks reach 7,339 feet into the Pacific Ocean sky. You can catch waves at Teahupo'o beach, swim beneath the 985-foot Fautaua waterfall, or watch stone-lifting competitions at the July Heivā Festival. In Papeete, the capital city's waterfront market fills with vendors selling fresh yellowfin tuna, mangoes, and black pearls each morning.
Getting to Tahiti
Faa'a International Airport connects Tahiti with Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Paris. Air Tahiti Nui and Air France operate most international flights, while Air Tahiti runs inter-island routes. The airport is 5 kilometers from downtown Papeete, with taxis and public buses running to the city center and hotels.
Geography and Climate
Two circular sections form Tahiti, connected by the isthmus of Taravao. The northwestern part, Tahiti Nui, includes Mount Orohena and most residential areas, while fewer people live in the Tahiti Iti peninsula. Temperatures range between 21°C and 31°C year-round. December through March bring more rain, and the mountain ranges create distinct weather patterns—the south receives more rain than the north coast.
Beaches and Water Activities
Black and white sand beaches line the coast, with coral reefs creating calm lagoons. You'll see parrotfish and angelfish while snorkeling near the shore, and can join boat trips to watch spinner dolphins and eagle rays. Several beaches along the Punaauia coast give you clear views of Moorea island across the water.
Mountains and Valleys
The Fautaua Valley trail winds through bamboo forests to a 985-foot waterfall. On the Mount Aorai trail, you'll climb to viewpoints overlooking both sides of the island. In Papenoo Valley, 4x4 tours and guided hikes take you to stone temples and multiple waterfalls, including the three-tiered Topatari falls.
Traditional Culture
During the Heivā Festival in July, athletes compete in coconut tree climbing and outrigger canoe races in Papeete. Dance groups perform ancient stories through ori tahiti (traditional dance) at To'ata Square. At the Museum of Tahiti and Islands in Punaauia, you can examine stone tools, fishing equipment, and tapa cloth that show how early Polynesians lived.
Food and Markets
The Papeete Market opens at 4 AM, when fishermen bring in fresh tuna, mahi-mahi, and octopus. Try poisson cru (raw fish marinated in coconut milk) or fafaru (fermented fish sauce) at market stalls. Food trucks, called "roulottes," park at Vaiete Square after sunset, cooking Chinese-Tahitian dishes and grilled seafood. In Mahaena, vanilla farmers sell their pods directly to visitors.
Surfing at Teahupo'o
The coral reef at Teahupo'o creates waves that break up to 25 feet high. Professional surfers compete here throughout the year, and the site will host the 2024 Olympic surfing events. You can watch surfers from tour boats or the beach. For beginning surfers, the smaller waves near Papenoo beach break over sandy bottom.
