The largest island in French Polynesia has been drawing tourists to the South Pacific for its black sand beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, and lagoons for as long as anyone can remember.
The reasons for a tropical island getaway are as clear as the water you’ll be swimming in… but why do it in Tahiti?
We’re here to help! Here are 9 things to do in Tahiti.
1. Go Helmet Diving
Get straight up submerged and walk the ocean floor with an astronaut-like air-supplied helmet – the best part of all? You need absolutely no diving experience.
2. Shop the Marché de Papeete
This colourful 150 year old public market famous for fruit and veg, oils, handicrafts, pearls, and vanilla bean will satisfy your inner shopaholic like nothing else.
3. Experience a Ma’a Tahiti
This large meal traditionally enjoyed during gatherings of different families celebrates sharing and community. The 100+ person feast uses an Ahi ma’a oven (a simple pit layered with wood) to steam root vegetables, fish, and meat.
4. Go Island Hopping
Let’s face it, nobody travels this far just to sit around – there are 118 islands here and even though some remain uninhabited you might as well get busy.
5. Surf it Up
With waves for all skill levels (including superhuman, see below) Tahiti offers some of the best surf in the world during its two seasons from October to March and May to August.
6. Peruse the Paofi Gardens
This 4.5 hectare space and recreational area serves as Papeete’s green lung and is a great place to see fountains, fruit trees, footpaths, and medicinal plants.
7. Stay in One of Those Water Hut Things
OK, so they’re actually called overwater bungalows but you won’t be stressing about the name, or anything else for that matter, when you check yourself in to one of these luxurious yet traditional Tahitian hotels.
8. Put Back Some Poisson Cru
This traditional dish is similar to the Peruvian marinated raw fish ceviche. The biggest difference? In addition to the lime juice you also get a big hit of coconut milk to soften the flavour.
9. Get Yourself to Vaimahutu Falls
One of the three Faarumai waterfalls in Tahiti Nui is one of the most visited sites in all of the islands. It’s impressively tall so you may need a wide angle camera lens to capture its greatness.
