Activities in Tahiti & French Polynesia
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Marama Tattoo
For traditionally designed tattoos head to Marama Tattoo in Matira Point. Popular, sterile and reliable.
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Huahine Lagoon
The lagoon around Huahine is one of those picture-perfect azure visions for which French Polynesia is famous, but to truly experience paradise you’ll need to set sail for an untouched motu – the beaches are isolated and fantastic. To explore the lagoon and motu on your own, head to Huahine Lagoon at the end of the main street in Fare. It hires out boats with outboard motors, as well as kayaks and bicycles. Nautical maps and scuba equipment are provided but you have to pay for fuel. There are no set hours, so just stop by and see if it’s open.
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Les Ateliers ‘Te Oro’
Les Ateliers ‘Te Oro’ offers two-, three- and five-day Tahitian dance workshops (from two to four hours per day) for adults and children from age 11. Courses are in French and English and special arrangements can be made for Japanese speakers. Group courses run throughout the year but you can also arrange private or individual courses. Prices depend on group size and the length of the course. The same school runs classes on Mo’orea as well. Reserve by email a few weeks in advance.
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La Petite Ferme
To see the island from the back of a horse, visit La Petite Ferme, on the main road between Fare and the airport. The two-hour ride along the beach, through coconut plantations and around the shore of Lake Fauna Nui is truly enchanting. Longer excursions include an all-day ride (12,000 CFP), during which you’ll visit a vanilla plantation, and stop for a picnic lunch and snorkelling. The horses are suitable for all levels as well as for children.
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Huahine Randonee
For serious hiking, including treks to the tops of either Mt Tapu on Huahine Nui or Mt Pohue Rahi on Huahine Iti, both of which offer sublime views of rolling mountains and the nearly fluorescent lagoon, contact Terii at Huahine Randonee. Terii has limited English skills but is extremely friendly and competent – if you speak French, Tahitian or Croatian he can tell you all about the local flora, history and archaeology.
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La Maison de la Nature du Mou’a Roa
La Maison de la Nature du Mou’a Roa is superbly set up for children ages five to 16 and accepts foreign children to many of its holiday camp programs that run throughout the year. Kids hike, learn about the local flora, build shelters, listen to local legends and have a grand old time. It’s all in French, of course, but the owners speak some English and it’s a great opportunity for kids to learn some French.
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La Plage
La Plage, based on the beach at the Novotel, rents small 6hp or 15hp four-seater motor boats that are easy to drive; no licence is required for the 6hp boats. A detailed map featuring the lagoon is provided, as well as life jackets. Plan on 15,000 CFP to 20,000 CFP per day for the boat, petrol and transfers included. Bring a picnic and your snorkelling gear.
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Lakana Fly
Kite surfing has become very popular on Mo’orea and on windy days you’ll see dozens of kites whipping across the lagoon in front of the Intercontinental Moorea Resort & Spa. If you want to give it a go contact David at Lakana Fly, at Hauru Point, who offers beginner to advanced kite-surfing lessons for ages nine and up.
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Tura’I Mataare Surf School
To paddle out for your first time or hone your skills, visit Tura’I Mataare Surf School on the mountain side of the road in Pa’ea. Half-day lessons including transfers and equipment are 5000 CFP. Courses are run by a qualified instructor and include equipment, transport to the different surfing spots and insurance.
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Les Ateliers ‘Te Oro’
Tahitian dance courses for beginners or intermediate run every day except Wednesdays and Friday afternoons. Classes average three hours and include a lecture and a snack as well as some instruction on costume making. Courses are also taught sometimes at the Intercontinental Moorea Resort & Spa and regularly on Tahiti.
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Bora Bora Snorkel, Sharkfeeding and Lagoonarium Full-Day Tour including Picnic Lunch
7 hours (Departs Bora Bora, French Polynesia)
by Viator
lt;pgt;A snorkeler's delight! Travel by motorized canoe through the pristine clear waters of Bora Bora and encounter some of the marine life; sharks, rays,…Not LP reviewed
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Olivier Breaud International Golf Course of Atimaono
Golf is all the rage with the nouveau riche of Tahiti and luckily they have the Olivier Breaud International Golf Course of Atimaono, a beautiful 18-hole par 72 course with some rather difficult par 3s. The Tahiti International Pro/Am is held around late July. Club rental is 2500 CFP.
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Dolphin Quest
If you want a calmer environment in which to commune with dolphins (or if you just get way too seasick to brave the boat!), try for a ‘shallow-water encounter’ with captive dolphins in an enclosure at the Intercontinental Moorea Resort & Spa. Snorkelling with dolphins is 19,000 CFP.
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Papeete Inner Island Full-Day Jeep Safari
8 hours (Departs Papeete, French Polynesia)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Discover the best of Papeete on this full-day 4WD safari adventure. You'll travel through almost impenetrable rainforest to discover some of the jewels…Not LP reviewed
from USD$110.12 -
Bora Bora Parasail
Bora Bora Parasail, based at the Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort, is a reputable outfit that offers 15-minute trips starting from 25,000 CFP for two (18,000 CFP for one). If you want to get high (literally), you can take the 300m-high trip. Free pick-ups.
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Bora Bora Snorkel, Shark and Ray Feeding Excursion
3 hours (Departs Bora Bora, French Polynesia)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Experience the thrill of watching the reef sharks and rays being fed by hand. Board a motorized outrigger canoe, and depart for a memorable experience in…Not LP reviewed
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Moorea Tattoo
James Samuela of Moorea Tattoo is one of the few artists who tattoos both the modern way (with a needle) and the ancient way (with a comb made from wild boar tusks). He’s highly trained, young and professional.
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Poetaina Cruises
The family-run company Poetaina Cruises offers information and very friendly lagoon tours that include a motu picnic, a visit to a pearl farm, and French Polynesian song and dance performances.
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Huahine Nautique
Choose from jet skiing or outrigger-canoe trips at Huahine Nautique. Both include picnics on the lagoon, stops for snorkelling and shark feeding, and also the chance to learn about the island’s history.
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Moorea Sunset Cocktail Cruise
90 minutes (Departs Moorea, French Polynesia)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Relax and enjoy the sunset from a traditional outrigger pirogue. Sip on a Polynesian cocktail as you glide effortlessly over Opunohu Bay -now this is the…Not LP reviewed
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Moorea Circle Island and Belvedere Lookout Morning Half-Day Tour
3 hours (Departs Moorea, French Polynesia)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Discover Moorea on a journey around the island along the coastline to the Belvedere lookout, which affords splendid panoramic views of Opunohu and Cook's…Not LP reviewed
from USD$59.26 -
Mahana Dive
Mahana Dive in Fare is run by exuberant, English-speaking Annie and offers hands-on beginner dives as well as a slew of personalised trips for experienced divers.
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La Vie En Blue
For whale-watching only, La Vie En Blue leads trips for groups of two to four people. Day trips cost 1200 CFP per person if there are four people.
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Orofero River
The Orofero River, now a popular surfing site, was the spot where Pomare II fought the 1815 battle that reinstated him as ruler of Tahiti.
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Aroha Pacific
For sea kayaking or ‘hot-dogging’ down a river in inflatable kayaks call Aroha Pacific, which also leads hiking and canyoning excursions.
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