One of the places on Tahiti that one must visit is a peninsula called Point Venus. It is located on the north coast of the island. This is a legendary place where the legendary Captain James Cook observed the transit of Venus across the sun. This happened in 1769. There is an observatory on the peninsula built at the same time. It will be possible to observe a new eclipse just in 2117, but even today, you can connect with history. The peninsula is just a 20-minute drive from Papeete. One more place related to the name of James Cook is One Tree Hill, where the Captain once anchored.
The indigenous Tahitians are of Polynesian ancestry comprising the gross of the population. French is the official language but Tahitian and French are both in use. If you know French, … Open
Before everything else, Tahiti is a paradise for fans of extreme water sports activities. Thousands of professional surfers come here every year to conquer the coastal waves. The Billabong … Open
Don’t miss out on the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands. It is a Polynesian ethnographic museum in the village of Puna'auia where you will observe Polynesian artifacts and cultural practices. Here you will find the ancient tools, arts, and crafts of the islanders; there is a separate showroom in the museum demonstrating the fishing industry of Tahitians, here you can explore the tackles and models of ships, which the aborigines used for sailing on the ocean during the centuries. The islands’ animal and vegetal life is presented extensively, there are many kinds of taxidermied animals and birds, unique exotic plants and shells of local molluscan shellfish exhibited in the museum.
1. The best time to visit the island is from May to October, the rest of the year is the rainy season, especially frequent storms occur in January. However if you are not afraid of storms … Open
When Europeans settled on the island, they recognized that it was a too long and not effective process to hand-pick the pearl as the aborigines were doing it. Then they tried to take Pinctada margaritifera out to Australia and New Zealand, but that tries were unsuccessful. Eventually, Robert Wan, a Chinese with a European background, decided to culture the oysters on Tahiti. However, he did not leave things up to chance but put sand grains into the shells by himself. It is Wan’s enterprise that has created the Black Pearl Museum. Here you will not only see pearls of different sizes and forms but will learn about their mystical characteristics that Tahitians used to believe in. In the course of the excursion, you will be told about the attributes according to which you will be able to assess the quality of the pearl.
The coastal area Tahiti is notable for its amazing contrasts. There are gorgeous beaches with white coral sand, and exotic parts of the coast covered with black volcanic sand. The most … Open
One more interesting museum is situated in the house of James Norman. The colonial atmosphere of the 18th-19th centuries has been perfectly preserved here. Not only the building itself but also many details of the interior and personal belongings have reached our days. Here you can observe the furniture, paintings, and even books and letters of the owner. The tomb of Tahiti's last king Pomare V is also a place worth to see. It is built of coral stones in the shape of a small lighthouse, which has a red door and is topped with a red Grecian urn. The king did a lot both for the welfare of Tahiti’s population and for strengthening the island’s ties with France.
Tahiti has several luxury resorts that won’t disappoint even the most discerning travelers. The popular hotel Le Meridien is situated at the Punaauia Beach; that’s one of the … Open
The main architectural monuments are located near Tarahoi Square. The square houses the French Polynesian Assembly. Near the area originates picturesque Bruat Avenue, where the elaborate Presidential Palace, as well as the office of the High Commissioner, can be found. Nearby is a memorial to Tahitian World War I hero and Tahitian independence advocate Pouvanaa o Oopa. With regard to architectural sights of the capital, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-Papeete has to be noted. The Cathedral built in 1875 in the neo-Gothic style is a source of pride and a real jewel of the capital. Since Protestants are as much as Catholics on the island, you will also find a Protestant church in the center of the city - this is the Paofai Church.
In the section below, you can get one of our excursion, activities or city discovery tours over Tahiti Island and surroundings. Our website offers 10-30% lower ticket prices, when compared to the offline purchase on the spot.