Escape to paradise: why you need to visit Tahiti, French Polynesia

Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton

Most of us probably don't need any enticements to visit Tahiti. It is, after all, one of the world's most desirable destinations. French Polynesia's largest island is the hub for more than a hundred isles and atolls in the South Pacific, offering unparalleled holidays for those seeking sunshine and oceanside relaxation.

But with a rich culture, history and dramatic landscapes that take visitors beyond the iconic blue lagoons and palm trees, it's worth getting to know Tahiti for its own sake and spending more than a few days just exploring.

Getting to Tahiti: find great value escapes to the paradise of Tahiti with Travelbag*, the expert in long-haul travel to French Polynesia.

For lush landscapes & biodiversity

Tahiti* is the main island in the Society archipelago, yet it's wildly different to its nearby atolls and islets in the Tuamotus, with their fine white sands and overwater bungalows.

A rugged topography that includes tree-covered volcanic peaks and a lush interior is best experienced on a full-day, 4WD tour that cuts through the island and around its perimeter, reaching hidden highlights like the Fautaua Falls.

There are viewpoints over the Papenoo Valley too, as well as walking and hiking trails, like those that wend their way around Mount Aorai. Travel with a local guide and hear all about the island's pre- and post-European history while you feast your eyes on tropical flowers and vegetation, including a walk through one of the many botanical gardens.

Further afield, the Marquesas, Austral and Gambier islands have similarly dramatic scenery and rich biodiversity, for those able to extend the adventure for another week or more.

For Polynesian culture

From the minute you set foot in the capital, Papeete, you'll be met with a typical Polynesian welcome as an aromatic flower garland is placed gently around your neck, and you're given a tiaré bloom to wear behind your ear.

Even at the airport, the serenade of voices and softly strumming ukuleles is the shape of things to come. And it's not just for show. A genuine part of life on the Tahitian islands, the welcome is similarly warm for returning family members.

A visit to the more remote archipelagos suggests that the Tahitian islands' ocean setting has helped to keep their centuries-old cultures intact.

From the haka and hula dances to wood carvings and the ancient art of tattoo, brought here with the first settlers from Tonga and Samoa, Polynesians celebrate their performance, music and arts every summer in Tahiti with an annual Heiva i Tahiti festival, bringing together islanders from the surrounding archipelagos.

For the beaches

Beaches in French Polynesia* range from black volcanic ones to fine white and yellow sands like Temae Beach in Moorea and Matira in Bora Bora.

And Tahiti has some beauties of its own. Venus Point, in the north of the island in Mahina, is one of the most popular sleek black beaches, perfect for swimming, paddling and kayaking, and always popular with local families with its craft shop, cafés and amenities.

In a historic location too, it was visited by French and British sailors, most notably Captain Cook, who came in 1769 to observe the night sky and the transit of Venus, and an observatory was built here overlooking Matavai Bay.

Another spot worth visiting is Teahupo'o Point, on everyone's radar after the 2024 Paris Olympics, with its huge surf and fabulous backdrop of dramatic, jagged peaks. Perhaps the waves here are best left to the professionals, though, who descend every August for international surf competitions.

For island-hopping & water activities

For dreamy sun-kissed days sipping from freshly cut coconuts, you can't really do any better than the Tahitian Islands. The birthplace of overwater bungalows, French Polynesia offers stunning, luxurious, oceanside stays with direct access to your own crystal-clear waters.

Paddleboard, sail or snorkel with rays, or scuba dive in nearby Fakarava's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. With ferry and air services from Papeete to islands like Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a, it's possible to island hop or combine a longer stay in Tahiti with a few nights of lagoon-side bliss on one of the nearby isles and atolls.

That's not to say that Tahiti doesn't have its own perfect resorts with access to great views and beaches, though, depending on which side of the island you stay, it may be that it's the resort pool where you do most of your swimming. The views, however, are just as sublime.

For black pearls & carved tikis

Visit the Robert Wan Pearl Museum in Papeete or take guided tours to pearl farms on Taha'a or Rangiroa, where you can learn how Tahitian pearls are cultivated by hand using the black-lip oyster.

The Tahiti Pearl Market, not far from the cruise ship harbour in Papeete, is the place to go if you are staying on the main island, and is supplied by all of the best Tahitian island pearl producers.

You can also buy intricately carved wooden tikis and other ornaments in the gift shops, though you'll see them being made if you venture to the Marquesas and Austral islands, which are known to specialise in different forms of carving.

Very much part of the belief system of ancient and current-day Polynesians, you'll discover large tiki statues keeping vigil across many of the island groups. With Tahiti the hub for all imports and sales, artisans visit regularly from across all five archipelagos, exhibiting and selling their work in Papeete and beyond, so a shopping day is highly recommended.

For the wildlife

Though there's abundant marine and bird life on Tahiti, a three-hour boat trip to Tetiaroa is worth the short hop if wildlife's high on your list. The atoll that Marlon Brando fell in love with, which was formerly the residence for Tahiti's kings, is now a seabird sanctuary, home to the frigatebird, brown booby and white tern.

But all the Tahitian islands have their animal attractions, from the whales that come from July to October and can be seen on trips out of Moorea, to the endangered Fatu Hiva monarch bird in the Marquesas.

With Papeete the main port for sailing to the other island groups, you can make the most of your time here with a tailor-made itinerary, diving with sea turtles, searching for the elusive ultramarine lorikeet or snorkelling amidst an ocean of brightly coloured fish, using Papeete as your hub.

For a taste of paradise

With a tropical climate that produces coconuts, mangoes and pineapples in abundance, to oceans that offer up fresh fish and seafood, Tahiti's chefs have their pick of fabulous ingredients.

Sample poisson cru (ia ota), a raw-fish dish, like ceviche, made with lime juice and coconut milk, as the locals do, and take a pew at one of the food trucks in Papeete (also known for their Chinese-influenced noodle and rice dishes).

You may be lucky enough to experience a traditional earth oven feast too; known as an 'ahima'a on Tahiti, it's usually goat, pork or fish wrapped with banana, sweet potato or other vegetables and cooked slowly underground.

This is a Tahitian speciality not to be missed. And with so many tropical flavours, it would be rude not to enjoy a large cocktail, maybe even a fruity Mai Tai, at one of the many promenade bars or hotel terraces. Toast your great luck at being here, and watch the sun set over the South Pacific, before the heavens fill with stars.

Climate in Tahiti

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
26°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Papeete, Tahiti26
26°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Papeete, Tahiti26
26°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Papeete, Tahiti26
26°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Papeete, Tahiti26
25°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Papeete, Tahiti25
24°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Papeete, Tahiti24
23°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Papeete, Tahiti23
23°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Papeete, Tahiti23
24°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Papeete, Tahiti24
24°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Papeete, Tahiti24
25°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Papeete, Tahiti25
26°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Papeete, Tahiti26
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
17 days with some rainfall in January in Papeete, Tahiti17
16 days with some rainfall in February in Papeete, Tahiti16
17 days with some rainfall in March in Papeete, Tahiti17
12 days with some rainfall in April in Papeete, Tahiti12
10 days with some rainfall in May in Papeete, Tahiti10
6 days with some rainfall in June in Papeete, Tahiti6
5 days with some rainfall in July in Papeete, Tahiti5
4 days with some rainfall in August in Papeete, Tahiti4
5 days with some rainfall in September in Papeete, Tahiti5
5 days with some rainfall in October in Papeete, Tahiti5
6 days with some rainfall in November in Papeete, Tahiti6
12 days with some rainfall in December in Papeete, Tahiti12
Sea temperature °C
28°C sea temperature in January in Papeete, Tahiti28
29°C sea temperature in February in Papeete, Tahiti29
29°C sea temperature in March in Papeete, Tahiti29
29°C sea temperature in April in Papeete, Tahiti29
28°C sea temperature in May in Papeete, Tahiti28
27°C sea temperature in June in Papeete, Tahiti27
27°C sea temperature in July in Papeete, Tahiti27
26°C sea temperature in August in Papeete, Tahiti26
26°C sea temperature in September in Papeete, Tahiti26
27°C sea temperature in October in Papeete, Tahiti27
27°C sea temperature in November in Papeete, Tahiti27
28°C sea temperature in December in Papeete, Tahiti28

The above guide shows the climate in Papeete. Find out more about conditions across the archipelago in our complete guide to the climate in French Polynesia.

Fancy French Polynesia? Check out the latest online offers on unforgettable holidays to paradise with Travelbag.

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More about Papeete, Tahiti

Papeete, Tahiti by month

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Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton is Weather2Travel.com's editor. Kirsten writes, commissions and edits our travel features, liaising with our contributors and ensuring copy is spick-and-span. A member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, Kirsten also freelances writing articles on travel, history and the outdoors for titles such as Scotland Magazine and BBC Travel.

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