Tahiti, an island in French Polynesia, is an eclectic mix of French and Polynesian culture. Only have a short amount of time to see the sights in Tahiti?
Let’s have a look at the 7 best attractions to visit in Tahiti, French Polynesia.
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Arahurahu Marae
Arahurahu Marae in Paea Tahiti, is a sacred place surrounded by jungle. In Polynesian culture, the marae holds the reputation of being the religious and social gathering centre. As you enter the marae, you’ll see a stone statue called an Ahu adorned with flower and food offerings.
You can see similar statues on Easter Island off the coast of Chile. An abundance of flora and fauna adds to the lush wonderland that is the marae.
A serene and spiritual experience awaits you at Arahurahu Marae.
Maraa Grotto
The Maraa Grotto is another great place to visit in Paea as you make your way around the Tahiti coastline.
In the grotto, people swim the black waters of the cave. The black water creates an optical illusion, making it look smaller than it is. Fish and eels swim through the glowing cave while water drips from above. A magical sight to visit.
PK18 Beach
PK18 beach in Punaauia is famous for being the only white sandy beach on the west coast of Tahiti. Its named PK18 as its 18 kilometres from the Papeete city centre, the capital of Tahiti.
Most beaches in Tahiti comprise black sand, so this one is unique. With its long stretch of beach, it’s the perfect place to do some snorkelling, sun baking or swimming.
Pointe Venus Beach
Pointe Venus beach in Mahina is a black sandy beach on the North side of the island of Tahiti. An iconic destination famous for being the place where explorer Captain James Cook watched the transit of Venus in 1769. He built a white lighthouse as an observatory point, which is the only one in the South Pacific and is still in use today.
The location also played an important part in the Bounty’s Mutiny. The crew on the ship the “Bounty” refused to return to England, choosing to stay in Tahiti. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Faaurumai Waterfalls
Faaurumai Waterfalls, or the ‘3 cascades’ in Hitiaa on the North Coast of Tahiti, is a stunning sight. The non-stop waterfalls will intrigue and mesmerise.
The powerful force of water releases continuous refreshing sprays of water from metres away. A cool relief from the long, hot summer days.
The beauty and wonder of mother nature is awe inspiring. This one is a must visit.
Arahoho Blowhole
The blowhole in Faaurumai Hitiaa also on the North coast of Tahiti, is one of the island’s natural wonders. When pressure builds up in the underground sea caves, the blowhole releases a water explosion.
Wait about 10 seconds for the pressure to build up again and you’ll see another blast. A spectacular sight that will keep you entertained.
North Shore
The North shore of Tahiti is the favourite spot for surfers to catch the best waves. Similar to the North Shore in Hawaii, it caters for the beginner and more advanced surfers.
Best time to surf is from May to August for the biggest waves. October to March, the waves are smaller and better for the inexperienced surfer.
Best Tahiti tour
If you want to go a Tahiti tour that visits all these attractions and more, I highly recommend Tahiti Eden Tours.
With friendly guides and very affordable prices, you’ll leave with a new found knowledge of Tahiti and its culture.
Want to book a cheap Tahiti tour? Click here to book with Viator
Suggested post: Bora Bora French Polynesia – 5 best attractions to visit
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Linda is an Amazon author, writer and travel blogger. Her website The Smart Travelista offers travel resources and tips via her blog, books, videos and more.
