Must-see attractions in Tahiti

You'll need a guide to find Tahiti's best preserved petroglyphs deep on the Te Pari coast and accessible only on foot or by boat.

The elegant Marina Taina is a trendy spot featuring restaurants, bars, two diving centres and, of course, lots of yachts.

This rather wide (by Tahiti standards) beach is popular with families and has public facilities. The sand is white-grey.

Popular day trip from Teahupoo. Walk into blackness till your eyes adjust then swim to the back through the icy waters.

Plage du Mahana Park has calm waters and a snorkelling reef close to shore. On weekends there are kayaks for hire.

A gem of a cave accessible only by foot or boat, looking out over a wild stretch of reef-free coast.

Pape’ete is home to a number of art galleries. Olivier Creations is recommended.

Waves move in and out of this hidden cave from the coast. It's like a natural (not hot) hot tub.

This narrow stretch of white coral sand is suitable for swimming and has public facilities.

Gallerie Winkler has an interesting mix of etchings, paintings and crockery.

Three long cave lava tubes that make for a very wet and adventurous hike (guide mandatory).

View over the bucolic plateaus of Taravao to the blue coastlines and towering Tahiti Nui.

Another beautifully restored archaeological site, Marae Anapua is worth a gander.

Lovely, massive residence where the high commissioner from France lives.

Impressive 1867 towering lighthouse right next to Point Venus's beach.

Massive building where the president hangs out and gets work done.

Galerie des Tropiques is an art gallery.

Lovely black sand beach with Motu Martin just offshore.

Grave site of the first missionary to come to Tahiti.

Ancient site accessible only on foot.