Islands Adventures

Tahiti

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Tahiti is the biggest and the most populated island in French Polynesia. As the political and economic heart of the country, Tahiti stands out from traditional Polynesia. The capital city Papeete is very busy and rounds up many tradings, banks, hotels, restaurants, bars and discotheques.
The market downtown is a must with its appetizing fruits and vegetables, the sweet perfume of flowers and multicolored fish on display. Handicrafts from all the different archipelagoes are represented there and can also be found in souvenir shops around town. The black pearl, uncontested mistress of innumerable jewelry shops, has one of the most instructive museums dedicated to it. Tahiti occupies a prominent place in Polynesian cultural life. It is endowed with major historical and religious sites and is the home of “The Museum of Tahiti and its Islands” which will enlighten you on the mysterious past of the ancient Polynesians. Tahiti welcomes all kinds of events year round which reach their peak during the Heiva Festival in July. This event features and pays homage to traditional dancing, singing and sports, so dear to the hearts of Polynesians. You can probably taste some local flavors cooked in a “ahimaa” (volcanic rock oven) or take great delight in different culinary specialties of the country which mix European and Asian influences.
Moving out of the urban zone, the exceptional, natural beauty of Tahiti is in store for you. Circular and massive, the big island of Tahiti Nui, crisscrossed by beautiful, deep valleys, is connected by the narrow isthmus of Taravao to the little island Tahiti Iti; equally mountainous, upon its shores break the mythical waves of Teahupoo. For curious visitors, the Tahitian mountains offer hiking in remote valleys and encounters with imposing waterfalls, mysterious grottoes and archaeological sites marked by legends. Tahiti is also surrounded by a large blue and green lagoon pierced by more than 30 passes of which the largest faces Papeete. Diverse excursions are organized mountainside as well as ocean side; and to please any diver, even down into the depths of the ocean.
Your stay would not be complete if you miss the numerous treasures which fascinated so many explorers that this island has to offer.

Photo gallery

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Districts :

Tahiti Nui : Faa'a (airport), Papeete (capital), Pirae, Arue, Mahina, Papenoo, Tiarei, Mahaena, Hitiaa, Faaone, Taravao, Papeari, Mataiea, Papara, Paea and Punaauia.

Tahiti Iti : Afaahiti, Pueu, Tautira, Te Pari, Teahupoo, Vairao and Toahotu.

Population :

169 674 inhabitants.

Surface area :

1 045 sq km.

Do not miss :

• On the island of TAHITI NUI : the Papeete public market,
• the Robert Wan Pearl museum,
• the chinese temple in Mamao, the tomb of Pomare V and of Royal family,
• the house of James Norman Hall,
• the Tahara'a viewpoint,
• the Venus point lighthouse,
• the Arahoho blowhole,
• the Faarumai waterfalls,
• the Harrison Smith botanical garden and the Gauguin museum,
• the garden of Vaipahi & the Vaima spring,
• the surf spot of Taharuu,
• the Mara'a caves,
• the Marae Arahurahu,
• Tahiti and her islands museum,
• the lagoonarium.
• On the island of TAHITI ITI : the Taravao plateau & panoramic viewpoint,
• the famous surf spot of Teahupoo,
• the Vaipoiri cave,
• the Te Pari cliffs.
• The traditional "Heiva festival" during July/August.

Things to do :

• NAUTICAL ACTIVITIES : dolphins & whales watching from July to October, scuba diving, deep sea sport fishing, skiing, wake boarding, surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing.
• LAND ACTIVITIES : 4WD safari, 4WD ATV tours, karting, walking paths, canyoning, horseback riding, golf.
• RELAXATION CENTERS & SPA.

Practical information :

• BANK : Socredo bank, bank of Tahiti, bank of Polynésie, the post office bank, cash dispensers.
• POST OFFICE : available in each district.
• SHOPPING : shopping centers (VAIMA, FARE TONY, MOANA NUI, TAMANU, etc...), souvenir shops (PAPEETE MARKET, etc...), jewellery shops, art galleries, kiosk & bookshops, ready-to-wear & surfwear shops, local printed material shops, etc...
• RESTAURANTS : French & International cuisine, Asian cuisine, Italian cuisine & local cuisine.
• MEDICAL CARE : hospital of Mamao, hospital of Taravao, clinic Cardella, clinic Paofai, private doctors and pharmacies.
• CYBER CENTERS : Business Center (airport), ABC Diffusion (Papeete), Cybernesia (Vaima Center), GIE Tahiti Tourisme (Papeete), La Maison de la Presse (Papeete), Maison de la Culture Te Fare Tauhiti Nui (Papeete), Mana Rock Café (Papeete), Tiki Soft Café (Papeete), Top Games (Arue, Pirae, Papeete, Paofai, Tamanu Center Punaauia, Taravao).

Flight schedule :

AIR TAHITI time-table and fares

Our accommodations in Tahiti :

Our suggested island combos