The largest island and international gateway to French Polynesia, Tahiti combines vibrant local culture with spectacular natural scenery. Explore the colorful markets and waterfront of Papeete, hike through lush valleys to waterfalls, surf legendary waves like Teahupo'o, and discover black-sand beaches. It's the best island for experiencing everyday Polynesian life, food, and culture.
Tahiti in pictures
Tahiti Tourisme
Tahiti TourismePlaces on Tahiti
55A pareo shop in the centre of Papeete, a few steps from the market.
A pareo shop in the centre of Papeete, a few steps from the market. The pareos are drawn by hand, with patterns that come from nature and from the tifaifai quilts of the grandmothers.
A small restaurant on the lagoon at Punaauia, on Tahiti’s west coast, with Moorea across the water.
A small restaurant on the lagoon at Punaauia, on Tahiti’s west coast, with Moorea across the water. Quiet and intimate, the kind of place for a dinner for two.
The parliament of French Polynesia, behind the main post office in Papeete.
Open in MapsThe parliament of French Polynesia, behind the main post office in Papeete. Its 57 members are elected for five years and vote the country’s laws. The garden around it is open to walk in, and the building stands where the palace of the Pomare queens once was.
Open in MapsA seafood restaurant on the water at Punaauia, on Tahiti’s west coast.
Open in MapsA seafood restaurant on the water at Punaauia, on Tahiti’s west coast. Ask for a table at the end of the pier and you eat with Moorea straight ahead.
Open in MapsA microbrewery in Papeete, open since 2020. Hoa means friend in Tahitian, and the place runs like one: beers brewed on site, concerts and open stages in the evening, and they show you round the brewhouse with a tasting if you ask.
Open in MapsA waterfall deep in the Papenoo valley, on Tahiti’s east coast.
A waterfall deep in the Papenoo valley, on Tahiti’s east coast. You reach it up the valley track, about two hours by electric mountain bike from the valley entrance, with rivers to swim in on the way.
In depth
Tahiti: everything you need to know before you go
Beyond the airport: the market, the valleys, Teahupo'o and the west coast - how to give the main island the days it deserves.
Most visitors use Tahiti as a door to the other islands. Stay a little, and you find the real center of Polynesian life. The biggest island, the highest mountains, the capital, the markets, and the most famous wave in surfing: give Tahiti days, not hours.
Where is it?
Tahiti is the main island of French Polynesia, in the Windward Islands. It is really two round islands joined by a narrow strip of land at Taravao: Tahiti Nui, the big part, with Papeete in the northwest - and Tahiti Iti, the wild peninsula. At its end sits Teahupo'o, where the road stops and the famous wave begins.
How do you get there?
You arrive here: all international flights land at Faa'a, and every island flight and Moorea ferry starts here. The real question is how to get around. Rent a car for the island, and take the ferry for Moorea. Plan extra time on the coast road - it is the only road, and everyone shares it.
When should you go?
May to October is the drier, cooler season. November to April is warm, wet and green. Humpback whales pass from about July to November. The big waves at Teahupo'o also come mostly in the dry months - so surf season and dry season are almost the same.
What to do
- Start at the Papeete market. Two floors of fruit, fish, monoï (the scented coconut oil), flowers and weaving - the island's living room. The market is at its best early in the morning, and earliest of all on Sunday.
- Drive into the valleys. The Papenoo valley cuts through the green heart of the island, past waterfalls and old trails - a 4x4 day trip into a Tahiti most visitors never see. The Faarumai waterfalls, near the north coast, are an easier short walk into the same green world.
- Go to the end of the road. Teahupo'o, at the tip of the peninsula, is a village first and a legend second. From a taxi boat you can watch the surfers on the wave. From the shore, you can feel why they respect it.
- Swim the west coast. Black-sand beaches, sunsets over Moorea, and easy snorkelling along the Punaauia coast. Tahiti's lagoon is simpler to enjoy than people think.
- Eat at the roulottes. In the evening, the food trucks set up and the whole island lines up together: grilled fish, chow mein, crêpes. It is the cheapest good dinner in French Polynesia, and the most local one.
Where to stay
Papeete keeps you close to the market, the ferries and the little nightlife there is. The west coast - Punaauia, Paea - has the beaches, the sunsets and most of the hotels. The peninsula is for surf and quiet. There are family guesthouses all around the island, and they are easy to reach.
Is Tahiti for you?
Tahiti is for travellers who want to see Polynesia at work: a real city, real traffic at rush hour, and under it all, the deepest culture, food and history in the islands. It is not the postcard lagoon - Moorea and the atolls do that better. Give Tahiti two or three days at the start or end of your trip. It may quietly become one of the reasons you come back.
Practical tips
- Rent a car - the island is bigger than it looks, and buses are rare.
- Go to the market early - by mid-morning the best fish and flowers are gone.
- Rain showers pass quickly on the north and east coasts - wait a little before you cancel a plan.
- Much of the interior is protected land - visit the valleys with a local guide.
- Bring a light jacket for the mountains - the interior is much cooler.
That is Tahiti.
23 places · 34 guides · 25 things to know
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Stories · 2 min
Hawaiki Nui Vaa, an extraordinary sporting event
HAWAIKI NUI VA’A
Here, va’a (Polynesian pirogue) is the national sport! Every year, in October or November, the famous Hawaiki Nui Va’a race takes place.
This is a major sporting event in Polynesia, bringing together the best rowers.
Over a hundred crews take part in the competition, including youngsters, seniors and veterans, both men and women. The va’a used for this race are six-seater outrigger dugouts that ply the high seas and the ocean. in the lagoon, 128 kilometers divided into three stages, between the Leeward Islands: Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora. The stages are completed without changing teams.
Dates: late October or early November, over three days. The 33rd edition runs 29-31 October 2026.
To find out the dates of the next competition: https://www.hawaikinuivaa.pf/ -
Preparations for the Hawaiki Nui Va’a begin months in advance. The teams train intensively, perfecting their rowing techniques and building up their endurance. The pirogues, carefully crafted by local artisans, are equipped to withstand the sometimes capricious conditions of the ocean.
Competition stages
The first leg of the race starts on the island of Huahine, offering an impressive spectacle as the pirogues set off at sunrise. Teams are vying to dominate this first portion of the competition, looking to establish an early lead.
The second stage takes rowers across the waters between Raiatea and Tahaa. These islands, renowned for their natural beauty, provide a picturesque backdrop along the way. Teams battle not only their competitors, but also the elements, such as the sometimes tumultuous waves and fickle winds.
The last leg, perhaps the most eagerly awaited, takes the va’a to Bora Bora, one of French Polynesia’s most emblematic destinations. The pirogues begin their final push with the majestic silhouette of Mount Otemanu in the background, creating an epic tableau that will remain etched in the memory of spectators.
A cultural event
Over the years, Hawaiki Nui Va’a has become much more than just a sporting event. It’s a cultural event that brings the Polynesian community together, highlighting the importance of va’a in the region’s history and identity. Spectators gather on the beaches and quays to cheer on the teams, creating an electric atmosphere charged with enthusiasm and pride.
The Hawaiki Nui Va’a is also an opportunity for visitors to discover Polynesian passion and hospitality. The festivities surrounding the event include traditional dances, hearty feasts and celebrations that last long after the last pirogue has crossed the finish line.
The Hawaiki Nui Va’a is much more than just a sporting competition; it’s a testament to the cultural richness and determination of the people of French Polynesia. Every paddle stroke is a tribute to ancient traditions, creating a timeless link between the Polynesian people and the ocean that has shaped their history.
Written by Ruben Chang
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