Introducing Tahiti
Tahiti's name is so synonymous with paradise that many visitors feel duped upon stepping off the plane and not finding themselves immediately immersed in that postcard-perfect vision of blue lagoons and palm-fringed beaches. But even though the disparity between the alluring hype and dusty reality of Tahiti can feel disappointing, don't dismiss this place upon first glance. The largest and most industrialised of the French Polynesian islands is more than just an international arrival point; it's also a destination on its own. The capital, Pape'ete, is a chaotic whirl of colour and sound, reeking with humidity and strange new smells, teeming with outdoor cafés, pulsating nightlife and vibrant markets. Outside the city limits you'll discover exotic black-sand beaches, green velvet mountains cloaked in layers of wispy cloud, secret valleys dripping with tropical foliage and quiet villages where locals all know each other.
Tahiti's water may not be that exact shade of aqua you dreamed about, but dive beneath the surface and you'll find the fantasy world of brightly coloured fish and mesmerising coral the region is known for. Home to one of the world's most powerful and legendary waves, Teahupoo, Tahiti is a pro surfer's wet dream; but it's also one of the only places in Polynesia where beginners can catch a gentle beach break.
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Green interior and stream of Moorea Island.
- Uros Ravbar
- Lonely Planet photographer
