54 Best Sights in Tahiti, French Polynesia

This point on Matavai Bay has major significance: it is the place where Captain Samuel Wallis landed in 1767 and where James Cook watched the transit of Venus in April 1769. The crew of the infamous Bounty also stepped ashore here in 1788 (and did not want to leave), as did the first members of the London Missionary Society, who arrived in 1797. An impressive white lighthouse—Tahiti's only lighthouse—was built in 1867 to commemorate the anniversary of Wallis's arrival; it stands just feet away from the black-sand Pointe Vénus Beach. There's no sign pointing to the turnoff, but be prepared to swing off the coastal road at PK10.

Pueu has a good surf break, ideal for beginners and body boarders. Taurita is the most remote of the three towns and has fantastic mountain views, two churches, and is the start of the 15-km (9.3 mi) walking track to the Pari Coast and its amazing cliffs. Just off the coast of Afaahiti is Motu Nono, a small islet that can be visited on organized day trips from the town. Pueu and Tautira have at least one pension, while Afaahiti has three or four places to stay.

Look out for the signs denoting the French name trou du souffleur. However, you won't miss it because the blowhole is right on—and under—the coastal road and there are always tourist buses around. Water rushes into a cavern and if the swell is just right it shoots out through the hole in the rocks, like a geyser. There's a viewing platform and if the sea's rough, you could get wet. Be careful driving on this section of the road, as there's a narrow, blind corner as you approach the blowhole at PK22.

Pronounced Fa-ah-ah, this town is a commune (municipality area) of greater Pape'ete and houses the international and domestic airport, the InterContinental Tahiti resort, along with a Faa'a town hall built in Polynesian style. The University of Tahiti sits on the side of the mountain above the town. It's more heavily populated that Pape'ete itself, although you won't see much of the place as your airport transfer whisks you along the highway to your resort.

This is the name given to the remote eastern section of Tahiti Iti, which lies between the north coast and the south coast road. A wild and rarely visited area, it's also called Te Pari due to the dramatic Te Pari cliffs. You can walk the 15-km (9.3-mi) Pari Coast trail on your own, but a couple of locals operate overnight, camping excursions. It's best to go with an operator if you want to camp overnight, but you can walk on your own for day trips. Knowledgeable guides can point out the hidden marae, caves, petroglyphs, and rock formations known as Drums of God Honu Ura and the Queen's Bathtub, which have been created by the pounding surf.

These two sights are side by side. The museum has 25 small original works by the famous artist who lived in Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands for the last 12 years of his life. The other major works are replicas, which can be a disappointment. On the upside, the gardens, which cover 340 acres and were created by American physics professor Harrison Smith in 1922, are beautiful with plenty of walking trails and great views over the lagoon.

The life of this American adventurer, WWI hero, and novelist is displayed at the beautifully restored house where he lived with his wife and children for almost 30 years until his death in 1951. Hall and writer-friend Charles Nordhoff co-wrote the famous Mutiny on the Bounty (published in 1932) and The Hurricane, among other works. Set in a beautiful garden high on a hill, the house overlooks the bay and beaches. Lunch is available in the tearoom; however, one day's notice is required.

There's plenty of room for everyone at this black-sand beach at Arue, stretching for a whopping 2,624 feet (800 meters). It's on the edge of Matavai Bay (where James Cook and other European explorers dropped anchor in the late 1760s), with lovely views to the southwest. The Radisson Plaza Resort is situated on a section of the beach; however, the entire beach is open to the public. There's another black-sand beach a little farther east at Mahina, near the Point Vénus lighthouse.

Like most French Polynesian volcanic islands, Tahiti has a belvedere or lookout that can be accessed by car (the word means beautiful view). However, the view from this 1,968-foot peak (600 meters) is the loftiest with views of Fautaua Valley, Pape'ete city and port, and Moorea on the horizon. The road to the top is steep and not very wide, so take it easy. There's a restaurant at the top and the start of a hiking trail to Mt. Aorai.

You can't miss this open-air aquarium in a fenced -off part of the lagoon as there's a huge model of a shark at the entrance. Here you can swim and snorkel with rays, turtles, eels, and hundreds of colorful reef fish. There's a lagoonarium on many islands, and the safe environment obviously appeals to many people. Guides are on hand to dive down and bring up a turtle for view and to feed the sharks at noon every day.

Almost miraculously you'll come across the only accommodation in the interior, Le Relais de la Maroto. The pension, with three bungalows, 26 rooms, and a good restaurant, gets heavily booked, so call ahead if you're planning to stay here. It was progressively upgraded throughout 2011.

This picturesque stretch of white sand lies just west of the Sofitel Tahiti Maeva Beach Resort. To get there take L'Truck from Pape'ete and get off at the Outumaoro bus stop, or ask the driver for the Sofitel stop. Wander towards the hotel and then look around for the beach.

A mile or so west of Toaroto Beach is this family-friendly beachside park complete with a little restaurant. The stretch of white sand is lovely, the snorkeling is good, and folks play soccer and volley ball in the park.

These three towns stretching from around PK10 to PK25 are more of interest for their black-sand beaches and the natural wonders near them: look out for the turnoff into the Papenoo Valley (at around PK 17) and the Arahoho Blowhole and the Three Waterfalls. The most notable man-made attraction is the lighthouse at Pointe Vénus, in Mahina. It overlooks Matavai Bay.

The nation's cultural center is housed in a traditional Polynesian design, octagonal building which has a theater, cinema, exhibition space, and a library. Located on the waterfront, almost adjacent to Place To'ata, this is the place to catch dance performances, film festivals, and cultural activities. Some events are free; others cost around 1,000 CFP per show. The center's Tahitian name is Te Fare Tauhiti Nui.

This park, with meandering pathways leading to ferny grottoes (caves), has lovely gardens and crystal clear pools. You can walk into the caves and adventurous folk can even swim to the Paroa Grotto, an underwater cavern. Like many of Tahiti Nui's attractions, it's not sign-posted well in advance, so slow down around PK 28 and look out for the car park.

Beautifully restored and maintained, this ancient religious site is the most spectacular on the island and is used as a backdrop for historical reenactments during the July Heiva festival. There is a large stone tiki (god-like image) in the grounds and legend says that the spirit of a warrior, who was cremated here, still lingers.

Restored in 1994, this marae is one of several found in Tahiti Iti's interior valleys. There are remnants of altars, meeting areas, and seats where the priest sat during religious ceremonies.

Paul Gauguin lived in a bamboo hut (long-since gone) on the banks of the Vaihiria River in Mataiea between 1891 and 1893. A museum in his honor is located in nearby Papeari (PK51.2). Two decades later the English poet Rupert Brooke arrived in the town, fell in love with the local chief's daughter, wrote some of his best work, but returned to England after WWI broke out in 1914, after only a three-month sojourn in Tahiti. Mataiea has a calm, black-sand beach and a pleasant white chapel, Eglise Jean-Baptiste, built in 1931.

This picturesque beach, complete with popular café is located around PK6 along the south coast road. The Maui Cave is a short walk inland.

This is the center of the Catholic community in Pape'ete, as well as a quiet and cool retreat from the hot and sticky city. Built in 1875 and restored in 1987, this buttercup-yellow church with a red roof and high steeple sits pretty in its own square just a block behind the market. The altar is always decorated with beautiful tropical flower arrangements and the church fills with light from a dozen stained-glass windows. Choirs sing in the upstairs area under a pitched timber ceiling adorned with cast-iron chandeliers.

The only golf course on the island, this 6,944-yard, 72-par course is set on a former cotton and sugar cane plantation. It's the venue for the Tahiti Open International each July. The course sits on the largest piece of flat land on the island.

This pale pink church with white timber filigree work and a clock tower topped with green steeple is right on the main road a 100 yards or so from the harbor and the area set aside for dozens of outrigger canoes. Inaugurated in 1873, it is the principal Protestant place of worship on the island and is sometimes listed by its French name Eglise Evangelique. The interior is supported by two rows of huge oak handcrafted and painted columns. A Sunday service, with beautiful singing and the chance to see the local ladies dressed in white and wearing decorative straw hats, is not to be missed.

This sizeable town produces much of Tahiti's vegetables and has Tahiti's only golf course (the Olivier Breaud International) along with a good (black-sand) surf beach. Nearby are the remains of the once massive Marae Mahaiatea. You'll find St. Michel's church in the town itself, and three pensions in the area.

Alternatively known in French as Hotel de Ville and Mairie, this impressive building, opened in 1990, is a replica of Queen Pomare's mansion—who ruled in 1845 when Tahiti became a French Protectorate—which once stood at Place Tarahoi. The town hall is the office of the mayor of Pape'ete and is open to the public during business hours and when art and historical exhibitions are held on the third floor gallery. The buttercup-yellow building has spacious wraparound terraces on two levels decorated with cream balustrades and columns.