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
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1. AIMATA - The vahine pareo, between heritage and creativity
Akua: For a culinary adventure on the Punaauia lagoon with a stunning view of Moorea, this intimate spot is perfect for a romantic dinner.
Akua: For a culinary adventure on the Punaauia lagoon with a stunning view of Moorea, this intimate spot is perfect for a romantic dinner.
Interested in politics and curious about how French Polynesia is governed?
Open in MapsInterested in politics and curious about how French Polynesia is governed? Let me take you on a tour of Tahiti’s main institutions.
Open in MapsBlue Banana: Located in Punaauia, this restaurant is a must-visit for seafood lovers.
Blue Banana: Located in Punaauia, this restaurant is a must-visit for seafood lovers. Don’t forget to reserve your spot at the end of the pier for an unbeatable view of Moorea.
And if you really want to taste the spirit of the islands, let yourself be carried away by two local breweries that will make your drinks and your evenings sparkle: HOA and Les 3 Brasseurs.
And if you really want to taste the spirit of the islands, let yourself be carried away by two local breweries that will make your drinks and your evenings sparkle: HOA and Les 3 Brasseurs. Each one has its own style, its own story, its own music. It’s up to you to choose your own tempo.
The electric mountain bike is ideal for adjusting your effort to suit your mood: activate the assistance to make the climb easier or reduce it for more of a challenge!
The electric mountain bike is ideal for adjusting your effort to suit your mood: activate the assistance to make the climb easier or reduce it for more of a challenge! And the icing on the cake is that you can stop to swim in the rivers and admire the Puraha waterfall, the lake, and much more.
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 · 24 things to know
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Essentials · 4 min
Plan your getaway to Polynesia with confidence using our expert tips!
Tips for visiting the beautiful islands of Polynesia
Visiting the Pacific Islands can sometimes be difficult in terms of logistics and budget, but don’t worry, these tips will help you organize your trip in the best possible way.
Plan your dream trip
To fully enjoy this beautiful trip around the sandy islands, I recommend planning well in advance, perhaps around the big events in Tahiti.
Take the time to check the weather conditions during your stay (avoiding the rainy season), carefully check the availability of your accommodation, and check transport schedules, whether by plane or boat, as they can change for several reasons: weather, breakdowns, delays, or other exceptional circumstances.
Average temperatures throughout the year
Summer
Month: November to April
Average temperatures: 77°F to 86°F (25°C to 30°C), hot and humid, rainy season
Winter
Month: May to October
Average temperatures: 21°C – 26°C (70°F – 79°F), drier and cooler, dry season
| Season | Month | Average temperatures |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | November to April | 77°F to 86°F (25°C to 30°C), hot and humid, rainy season |
| Winter | May to October | 21°C – 26°C (70°F – 79°F), drier and cooler, dry season |
Please note that the islands are sometimes very far apart, so some destinations are not accessible every day by plane or boat.
Tips:
Check the inter-island flight schedules of Air Tahiti and Air Moana Take the ferry, which is cheaper, to Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora, and Maupiti with L’Apetahi Express and Vaearai
Amuse-toi, découvre, ose l’extrême! Toutes les activités sont possibles ici.
Faire de la plongée dans les lagons ou le large? Du surf? De la randonnée? Des sauts en parachute ou en parapente? Tu peux tout faire en Polynésie…
Pour trouver des sociétés locales qui proposent ces activités, tu peux faire des recherches sur Internet ou consulter les agences de voyages qui pourront t’organiser un programme d’activités solide pour tout tenter et profiter de chaque moment.
Pense à t’initier à la culture polynésienne en participant à des activités locales comme le Ori Tahiti (traduction: danse tahitienne), la confection de bijoux de perle, de fleurs, ou encore de nacre, créer ton monoï ou ton paréo personnalisé etc…
Conseils:
- Offre toi une formation sur la culture polynésienne en ligne avec le centre Arioi
- Découvre avec moi les institutions du pays
Participer à ces expériences te permettra d’en apprendre davantage sur les îles et la puissance de ces culture.
Have fun, explore, dare to go extreme! All activities are possible here.
Want to go diving in the lagoons or the open sea? Surfing? Hiking? Skydiving or paragliding? You can do it all in Polynesia…
To find local companies offering these activities, you can search online or consult travel agencies that can organize a solid program of activities for you to try everything and enjoy every moment.
Consider learning about Polynesian culture by participating in local activities such as Ori Tahiti (translation: Tahitian dance), making pearl, flower, or mother-of-pearl jewelry, creating your own personalized monoi oil or pareo, and more.
Tips:
Take an online course on Polynesian culture with the centre Arioi. Discover the country’s institutions with me.
Participating in these experiences will allow you to learn more about the islands and the power of their cultures.
See the activities page.
Try everything. Culinary cultures vary depending on the inhabitants of the islands.
The locals are experts in Asian and local cuisine. Don’t hesitate to try their delicious ma’a (translation: meal). You can sample dishes made with fish caught fresh that morning or the day before by local fishermen, and you can also try the dishes that Tahitians love: ma’a Tahiti.
Don’t miss the opportunity to try all the Polynesian dishes you come across! Be careful with Fafaru, it can scare some people away. Will you be the warrior capable of eating it?
Read the article on local signature dishes
Essential items to pack in your suitcase for exploring Polynesia:
- Your local monoi oil: you can find it in all kinds of stores. Your swimsuit: to match your pareo, there are many shops in Pape’ete. Your sunscreen: let’s avoid severe sunburn and heatstroke! I recommend that you protect yourself well from the sun. Your camera, Go Pro, phone: to capture the most beautiful sunsets and landscapes of the islands, bring back a souvenir of the blue lagoons and take pictures of your best moments with family, friends or on a solo trip. Don’t forget to bring extra batteries. Your sarong: you can find them at the airport, in stores, or at the Papeete market. Your mosquito repellent: to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.
Written by Matahina Cabral
Checked July 2026
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