Tahiti, Society Islands, French Polynesia

Introduction

A name synonymous with tropical relaxation, Tahiti is the busy hub of French Polynesia, located 160 mi/260 km southeast of Bora Bora. Most of the activity is centered around the city of Papeete (pronounced pah-pay-EH-tay). It’s the part of the island most visitors see, if only in passing.
We recommend you stick around in Papeete for at least a two-night stay. This exciting city has many flashy boutiques, a colorful local market, a black pearl museum and active nightlife. As the only real city in French Polynesia, Papeete can teach you a lot about life in the South Pacific. And although you will experience some traffic jams and noise, it’s relatively clean, safe and efficient for a tropical city.

Sightseeing

If you have the time to venture out of Papeete, we suggest you head out along the north shore of the island. Make a stop at Point Venus, on the outskirts of Papeete. Matavai Bay, which is enclosed by the point, was used as an anchorage by many of the early European ships to reach Tahiti. Captain Cook built a fort on the point during his first visit to the island. The black-sand beach near the point is a popular seaside destination. Farther east is the Arahoho Blowhole, where water from incoming waves explodes through a hole in the rocks.

A little past the blowhole is the turnoff for the Trois Cascade (three waterfalls), which is a short walk from the parking area.

If you continue along the 75-mi/117-km coastal road, you’ll reach the town of Taravao, where the two portions of the island meet. There, you can choose to head along the north coast of Tahiti Iti toward Tautira or along the south coast to the surfing town of Teahupoo. Both these roads end in a dead end, and the eastern portion of Tahiti Iti can be reached only by boat or on foot.

Turning west along the south coast of Tahiti Nui, you’ll soon reach the Gauguin Museum, which details the artist’s life and has some reproductions of his work. Marama Tours runs daily bus tours around Tahiti with a stop at the Gauguin Museum. Phone 689-507-474. http://www.maramatours.com.

The wonderful Harrison Smith Botanical Garden is right next door to the museum. It has a lovely miniature forest of Tahitian chestnuts and other examples of local plant life. From there, the road circles back toward Papeete. About 9 mi/15 km from the city, you’ll reach the Museum of Tahiti and its Islands, which has good historical and cultural displays.

Recreation

Tahitian surfers ride the waves at many points, but white sandy beaches are in short supply because the sands of this volcanic island are black. To find the beaches of your dreams, you must cross the Sea of the Moon to Moorea.

Nightlife

Papeete is one of few places in French Polynesia where things remain lively well into the night. Try to visit at least one of the clubs or discos opposite the ferry terminal downtown to watch the locals cut loose on the dance floor.

Shopping

Start with a walk along the harbor. Just a few blocks inland is the Papeete Market, which is a must-see. Catering to both tourists and residents, it includes handicrafts, flowers and fresh-food items. There’s lots of local color—people sitting on the floor making flower leis, tables full of brilliantly colored fish, and locals drinking Hinano beer in the upstairs bar and restaurant. The crafts are largely souvenir grade, but it’s a good place to pick up small knickknacks and woven-pandanus items.

For pricier fare, you’ll find galleries, pearl shops and designer-clothing stores on nearby blocks, especially near Vaima Centre. Walk along the waterfront to the southwest for about 10 minutes to find the Robert Wan Pearl Museum, which explains the pearl-growing business and gives you yet another chance to make a purchase.

[call_to_action color=”ORANGE” button_text=”CONTACT US” button_url=”http://www.truevacay.info/contact”]Does this destination interest you? Contact us for a no-obligation quote for your travel needs.[/call_to_action]