Things to do in Tahiti
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Musée Gauguin
The Musée Gauguin is definitely worth a visit. Much of the text about Gauguin and his life is in English, and although the museum is dimly lit and there is a conspicuous lack of original works by Gauguin, there’s a lovely natural setting. The museum gardens are home to three superb tiki from Raivavae in the Australs. Tiki do not like to be moved, and there are colourful stories about what happened to the men that moved these tiki here (they apparently died ‘mysteriously’ within weeks of the move). The huge tiki figure beside the walkway stands 2.2m high and weighs 900kg; it’s a baby compared with the figure towards the waterfront, which stands 2.7m high and weighs …
reviewed
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Rangiroa
Rangiroa, in the Tuamotu Archipelago, is the second-biggest atoll in the world, behind Kwajalein in Micronesia. It measures 75km (46.6mi) by 25km (15.5mi) and is the most populated island in the archipelago. Its lagoon is more like a vast inland sea and dry land exists as a narrow chain of sandy motu (islets) encircling this huge waterway.
Divers come to Rangiroa from all over the world; the lagoon's configuration and tide movements cause powerful currents that they 'surf'. The lagoon is also home to a great abundance of diverse marine life. Pearl farming and mother-of-pearl production are important to the local economy.
reviewed
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Jardin Botanique
The 137-hectare Jardin Botanique has walking paths that wind their way through the garden past ponds, palms and a superb mape forest. The gardens were founded in 1919 by an American, Harrison Smith, who introduced many plants to Tahiti including the large Southeast Asian pomelo known on Tahiti as pamplemousse, the French word for grapefruit. Unfortunately, Smith also introduced one or two botanical disasters that Tahiti could well have done without. Look out for the huge Galápagos tortoises. Mosquitoes in the gardens can be fierce.
reviewed
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Taravao
Strategically situated at the narrow isthmus connecting Tahiti Nui with Tahiti Iti, the town of Taravao has been a military base on and off since 1844, when the first French fort was established. The original fort was intended to forestall Tahitian guerrilla forces opposed to the French takeover from mounting operations against Tahiti Nui from Tahiti Iti. Today the Faratea Port, on the northeastern side of the isthmus, is being built to shift commercial sea trade from Pape’ete (which is getting gussied up for tourists) to Taravao.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Musée de Tahiti et des Îles
Only 15km from Pape’ete along the west coast, the excellent Musée de Tahiti et des Îles is in Puna’auia. The museum is divided into four sections: geography and natural history; pre-European culture; the European era; and outdoor exhibits. It’s in a large garden and if you get tired of history, culture and art, you can wander out to the water’s edge to watch the surfers at one of Tahiti’s most popular breaks.
reviewed
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Coco’s Restaurant
Dine in a gorgeous open plantation-style house bordered by a tropical garden that’s framed by coconut trees and looks out to Mo’orea. This is the sort of place that doesn’t list prices on the menu and each dish is served under a silver dome so that everyone can unveil their meal at the same time. The fine food is very French, with lots of seafood options. Tahiti’s swankiest and most romantic option.
reviewed
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Restaurant Nuutere
You won’t be able to miss the extravagantly painted facade at this great little restaurant. French specialities, cooked with local ingredients and some odd imported ones like ostrich or crocodile, are served in an intimate dining room. One speciality is the korori (pearl oyster meat) starter baked gratin-style in sea-snail shells. Don’t expect fast service. Credit cards are accepted.
reviewed
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Lagoonarium
Just outside Pape’ete’s urban sprawl, the Lagoonarium is a pleasant tourist trap with a meshed-in area of lagoon with a modest underwater viewing room; it’s reached through a giant (though crumbling) concrete shark’s mouth. The entrance to the Lagoonarium is part of the Captain Bligh Restaurant, and if you eat at the restaurant there’s no charge to visit the Lagoonarium.
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Blue Banana
This hip new, lagoonside restaurant (it replaced the L’Auberge du Pacific) is heavenly romantic. The roof in the main dining room retracts, revealing a starry night-sky tableau. The food is as good as the ambience – feast on innovative French dishes (small portions but artistically presented) and fine French vintages from the air-conditioned cellar. Reservations recommended on weekends.
reviewed
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Marae Arahurahu
Whether or not you believe in the powers of the tiki (sacred statue), it’s hard to deny there is an amazing energy radiating from Marae Arahurahu in the Pa’ea district. Tranquil, huge and beautifully maintained, the marae (traditional temple) is undoubtedly the best-looking one on the island and even rivals those on other islands.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Maraa Grotto
Lush gardens, overhung caverns, crystal-clear pools and ferny grottoes are all standard features at gorgeous Maraa Grotto. The fairytale park is found along the coastal road, and a manicured path runs throughout. It’s a popular stop on round-the-island circuits, but also well worth visiting on your own.
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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Snack du Jardin Botanique
This humble beachside snack (snack bar) is right in the Jardin Botanique parking lot. Dishes like grilled fish in vanilla coconut sauce, steaks and shellfish are some of our favourites on this coast and on Sundays there’s a full authentic ma’a Tahiti for 3000 CFP.
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Pink Coconut
We love this lively spot located right on Marina Taina among the sailboats. Dine on French-inspired fare like delicious risotto with scallops and wild mushrooms or French-style shellfish platters. At night it’s candlelit and there’s sometimes live music and dancing on the weekends.
reviewed
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Western Grill
Tired of raw fish? Tie your pony up at this saloon, complete with a Native American statue by the door and Western kitsch a go-go, for a good ol’ American steak or burger and a beer. There are also creative but delicious interpretations of Mexican food available.
reviewed
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Restaurant Taumatai
Grab a terrace table at this delightful little place right across the street from Loula and Remy, serving the town’s best French and Tahitian food in an elegant garden setting. The restaurant is hidden behind a stone wall so it’s a little hard to find.
reviewed
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Papeete Inner Island Full-Day Jeep Safari
8 hours (Departs Papeete, French Polynesia)
by Viator
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 of Tahit…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$102.98 -
Chez Marie Claire
It’s amazing that a place this big out in the middle of nowhere can fill up nightly but Chez Marie Claire does. It’s a basic open restaurant with red plastic chairs, an extensive and very good Chinese-Tahitian menu and lots of local atmosphere.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Chez Loula and Remy
This family-run place in Taravao on the Tautira road serves an excellent array of French-style grilled meats and fish in boozy, congenial environs.
reviewed
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Mato-Nui Excursions
Mato really started the canyoning craze in Tahiti and has an overflow of energy and attitude. He leads hiking excursions and camping trips as well.
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