Tahiti Travel
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Tahiti Islands
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Tahiti
Travel Guide
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Tahiti, the main island of the Society Islands and population centre of Tahiti, is about 1000 sq. km in size and takes about 6 hours to drive around. The island combines two shield volcanoes joined by a narrow isthmus - Tahiti-Nui is the larger half with the capital town of Papeete and Faaa international airport on the west coast with Tahiti-Iti being almost devoid of population and very remote.
Papeete Town lies on the north-west coast of Tahiti on a small harbour backed by rolling hills. Papeete is a rather congested town with a population of over 100,000 people. The town has a distinct French flavour - the French military are often about, there are exciting nightclubs and some lovely cafes overlooking the marina and a good variety of hotels. However, there are few attractive buildings and overall you feel you are in just another urban jungle. The only thing that gives this town a South Pacific feel is the warm humid air and tropical flowers.
Papeete Market
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View from Papeete Harbour
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There is little tourist interest in Papeete - the large market has a good selection of handicrafts from around the islands, there are a couple of nice churches and a unique Pearl Museum. At night, the waterfront transforms into a diners delight with lots of make-shift restaurants lining the streets. Unless you're on business or are looking for a fun night out, there is little to herald a stay in Papeete.
The major concentration of resorts and large hotel chains is found to the south of Papeete Town. Here there are several OK beaches, but nothing resembling the tourist brochures. There are however excellent views overlooking Moorea Island in the distance which is perfectly silhouetted by the setting sun, and the nightlife and restaurants of Papeete are close by.
View towards Moorea
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West Coast Resort, Tahiti
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The west coast has terrible traffic congestion during the morning and evening rush hours and this area is best avoided - it can literally take an hour to travel just one mile! There are a couple of OK beaches along the west coast, but little in the way of accommodation and none that warrant a stay in this region. There is an excellent museum along this coast as well as an impressive looking ancient marae (temple) in Paea which has been reconstructed and is worth calling in on if passing. The south coast of Tahiti is also fairly bland, with few attractions except the popular Gaugin Museum. Surfing along the south coast is excellent in season.
East Tahiti from Fare Nanao
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Black Sand Beach, East Tahiti
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Tahiti's major attraction is its stunning tropical rain forest and mountain ranges. These can be explored on a day tour with several companies from 4WD tours to hiking tours. The north and east coast of Tahiti-Nui has some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the island, several good waterfalls and ancient marae - stone foundations - and several black sand beaches with good surfing. There's little accommodation along the coast but it's a good place to explore the mountain trails and quiet coastal roads of both Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti.
View towards Tahiti Nui
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North Coast Tahiti Iti
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Tahiti-Iti is very rural with some attractive Polynesian style villages and a few small beaches on its south coast. Hiking trails are excellent on both the south and north coast and the coastal road passes some of the country's most outstanding scenery making this a must for those who like exploring.
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Travel Guide
Fiji Travel Guide
Samoa Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide
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