8 of the Best Tahiti Activities to Do on Your Holiday

For most travellers, exploring French Polynesia means skipping the main island of Tahiti and proceeding to other popular destinations. However, they’re bound to miss plenty of thrilling adventures and amazing sights.

The heart of French Polynesia combines lush valleys, soaring peaks, mighty waves, a vibrant local scene and a rich, flourishing culture. These features make Tahiti the perfect place to experience authentic island life.

As you plan your dream Polynesian holiday, fill your itinerary with these top things to do in Tahiti.

Explore Tahiti’s Underwater World

Marine life is abundant in Tahiti’s renowned scuba diving sites.

Tahiti’s dive sites house a variety of aquatic creatures that every diver can encounter. When you plunge into these dropoffs, you’ll spot many species of tropical fish and glorious, exceptionally graceful sea turtles.

• If you’re diving in Faa’a, consider exploring the L’hydravion and La Goélette shipwrecks on its sandy seabed. Countless species of fish swim around these sites.
• Tahitian sea turtles live peacefully on the west coast, freely treading its crystal-clear waters. They are accompanied by schools of dolphins and coral reef sharks.
• Another excellent Tahiti diving site is on the outer slopes of Papeete's Pass, which has a sandy seabed. On your dive, you can expect to encounter schools of jackfish, sharks, barracudas, moray eels, and sea turtles.

Ride the Wave on Renowned Surf Spots

Big waves await surfers of all levels during their stay in Tahiti.

With two different surfing seasons, Tahiti lets new and seasoned surfers catch the waves that are perfect for them.

Notable surf spots within Tahiti include Papara, Papenoo, and Taapuna, which are good for beginners and intermediate-level surfers. But if you want to see epic surfing, head to the legendary Teahupoo. It’s considered the toughest place to surf on the island, with giant waves crashing over a shallow coral reef.

Many surfers compare Teahupoo to the Banzai Pipeline—it’s believed that the island has replaced Banzai as the heaviest left-hand break in the world. Only the bravest and most skilled surfers dare to ride Teahupoo’s waves.

This popular surf spot also hosts the annual Billabong Pro competition, where enthusiasts from around the world watch top surfers in awe. We recommend going to Teahupoo in August to catch this spectacular event.

Conquer Tahiti’s Rugged Hiking Trails

Hiking takes you to Tahiti’s many natural wonders.

Beyond diving and surfing, Tahiti attracts hikers of all levels with several wonderful trails.

• Families will love crossing the trails in Papenoo Valley, where they can view waterfalls, a teeming countryside, and impressive scenery.
• If you’re exploring Tahiti Iti, it has the Te Pari trail for all hikers. However, you must ride a boat to reach the trail.
• Intermediate hikers will find Faananu (located in Tiarei) a tough yet fulfilling adventure. Some travelers consider its waterfalls, particularly the first, accessible and stunning.
• For a true challenge, there’s the trail leading to Mount Aorai’s summit. You’ll see many signs along the way, making a solo hike possible.

Drive Around the Island

You can also explore Tahiti by car.

Adventure can also be found along Tahiti’s roads. Take some time to breeze through the island’s soothing sights of blue and emerald, miles away from busy Papeete.

You can start your drive by heading to Vaiava Beach, which is south of the capital. It’s called the “PK 18 beach” because it’s situated in Punaauia, 18 kilometres away from Papeete. The wonderful, white-sand Vaiava is a great place to swim and snorkel within its splendid coral formations.

After basking in the sun, sand and sea, make your way to Marae Ta’ata at PK 19 in Paea. One of Tahiti’s sacred historical sites sees fewer visitors than other archaeological sites. You can then go further into the Arahurahu marae, a fascinating attraction that lets you learn about Polynesian history.

From the marae we mentioned above, consider visiting the Mara’a caves. These three caves contain freshwater pools and offer a calm refuge in a stunning piece of countryside.

More attractions await as you drive around Tahiti, including:

• The fantastic surf spot of Taharuu with black sand (located in Papara)
• Parc d’Atimaono on the coast road past Papara
• The freshwater Vaima Spring
• The Vaipahi Water Gardens and its adjacent botanical gardens
• The peninsula (Tahiti Iti)’s west and east coasts

Shop at Papeete Market

Papeete Market offers fresh produce, handicrafts, clothes, and textiles from the islands of French Polynesia.

Whether you need a break from your Tahiti adventures or want some souvenirs, Papeete Market is a must-visit destination.

If you’re heading to this two-storey market at the centre of the capital, we suggest giving your purchases some room in your luggage. It’s full of fruit, vegetables, fish, pareos (sarongs), jewellery, handicrafts, and art from the five archipelagoes of French Polynesia, so you won’t leave empty-handed.

Exploring Papeete Market is an adventure—a full tour takes two to three hours. You’ll find snack bars on the second floor if you get hungry and crave a cup of coffee. Moreover, the surrounding streets house various small shops and boutiques with goods ranging from clothes to traditional Chinese medicine. Papeete Market is a great place to shop for souvenirs before flying back home.

Get Tahiti’s Famous Black Pearls

Remember to take some Tahitian cultured pearls home.

Tahiti is renowned for its exquisite cultured pearls, often referred to as black pearls. Most of these marvellous jewels come from the warm waters of the Tuamotu and Gambier Islands.

Tahitian black pearls are made into necklaces, rings, bracelets, pendants, and other kinds of jewellery, although you can buy them unmounted. And unlike other pearls, these jewels are produced by a black-lipped, dark-bodied oyster.

Interestingly, common Tahitian ‘black pearls’ aren’t black in colour. They come in different hues, including dark green, blue, bronze, aubergine and pink. As for the ‘pure black’ pearls produced in other parts of Tahiti, they’re either tinted or exposed to radiation to get their colour.

Tahitian cultured pearls are sold at boutiques in major hotels, on cruise ships and around Tahiti and its neighbouring islands.

See Polynesian Culture Up Close at the Heiva Festival

If you are planning to visit Tahiti in July, consider scheduling your holiday around the time of the annual Heiva festival, which has been held since 1881.

This week-long event at Place To’atā in Papeete highlights Polynesian dance, music, and sports. All three were done during religious and political ceremonies on the islands. Dance became an immensely sophisticated and ritualised art form among these cultural traditions. Groups or individuals would dance for the important people invited to ceremonies.

During Heiva, performances combine the drama of an opera with the distinct influence of Polynesian dance. Each performance is different from previous creations, and it takes six months or more to practice. The music, choreography, and costumes are intricately designed to reflect historical or legendary themes, each showcasing fine attention to detail.

Discover Superb Art & Interesting History at Tahitian Museums

To add an educational twist to your Tahiti holiday, the island has two museums displaying fascinating history pieces.

Museum of Street Art Tahiti

Papeete’s Vaima Center is home to the Museum of Street Art Tahiti, spotlighting graffiti and other forms of street art. Its curators, Sarah Roopinia and Jean Ozonder, founded the international street art event Festival Ono’u, which runs for three days every October.

Walking around Papeete, you’ll see about 30 murals from famous graffiti artists, all showcased since May 2014. Most of them will amaze you and have given the capital a more vibrant facade.

Musée Gauguin (Gauguin Museum)

Located near Mataiea on Tahiti Nui’s west coast, the Gauguin Museum highlights Paul Gauguin’s life in Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands. It’s inside the picturesque Harrison Smith Botanical Gardens, engaging visitors with exhibits and various memorabilia: Gauguin’s sketches, copies of documents, block prints, and many of his renowned paintings recreated.

Embark on Unforgettable Journeys Within Tahiti

While starting your adventure in other parts of French Polynesia is tempting, Tahiti offers many great activities for a memorable holiday. Add the experiences we’ve listed to your itinerary and plan them with a trusted travel package provider.

For more inspiration, visit the Entire Travel Group blog today.