Tahiti

Travel Guide

Tahiti featuring mountains and general coastal views
Tahiti featuring kayaking or canoeing, general coastal views and a sunset
Tahiti featuring general coastal views and tropical scenes
Tahiti showing coral
Tahiti which includes boating and general coastal views as well as an individual femail

As the main island of French Polynesia, Tahiti is famous for its stunning beauty, with mountains, jungles and reefs, and a lively but chic island culture.

Sunny Tahiti is called the Queen of the Pacific because it's the main island of French Polynesia and the largest of its 118 archipelagos in the South Pacific. Its main city, Papeete, is the beating heart of the island and also the capital of French Polynesia, which is an overseas territory of France.

Tahiti Nui is the populated northwestern region of the island. Many visitors get around this region by taking a ride from a friendly local, but it’s also easy to rent a car and travel the coastal freeway.The southeastern section of the island is called Tahiti Iti and is only accessible by boat or on foot.

Learn about the history of the famous South Pacific black pearls at the Pearl Museum in Papeete, or go jewelry shopping at Quartier du Commerce. Find tropical fruits and handicrafts at Marché Municipal.

Tahitian cuisine mixes flavors from France and the South Pacific. Nothing comes cheap on the island, but downtown you’ll find some of the best local dishes at roulottes, the food trucks, for a few francs. Try the poisson cru, fish cured in lime juice and coconut milk, and then visit waterfront bars or attend the Les Ateliers “Te Oro” dance workshops.

See more of Tahiti’s natural charm with a hike through tropical forests to Mont Aorai, or join a jeep safari to Mont Marau. Watch waterfalls in the Faarumai Valley. Go to Paea to visit Marae Arahurahu, an ancient Polynesian temple, which hosts the Heiva I Tahiti festival in July.

In Punaauia, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of Papeete, visit the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands to learn about the local history and see views of Moorea Island. Mataiea, 32 miles (51 kilometers) west of Papeete, is home to the Botanical Gardens with tropical plants from all over the world.

Go scuba diving or snorkeling in the clear waters around Punaauia and Papeete. If you want to stay dry while seeing the local marine life, visit the Lagoonarium. Surf is up at Teahupo’o, home to a world-famous reef break and whales from July to October.

Visitors can arrive in Tahiti via Papeete's International Airport, 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) to the southwest of the city. Flying to Tahiti requires you to first fly to Los Angeles, Honolulu or a major hub in Europe, New Zealand, South America or Northern Asia.

Boutique Hotel Kon Tiki Tahiti

Boutique Hotel Kon Tiki Tahiti

3 out of 5
Bd de la Reine Pomare IV, Papeete, Îles du Vent
$143 nightly
The price is $167 total per night from Oct 20 to Oct 21
$167 total
Oct 20 - Oct 21
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Papeete. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,055 reviews)
"Huge comfortable room, coffee maker was a bonus. Nice balcony looking back across the town to the water. Rooftop bar was a fantastic place to watch the sunset."

Reviewed on Oct 7, 2025

Boutique Hotel Kon Tiki Tahiti
Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts

Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts

4 out of 5
Lafayette Beach PK7, Arue, Tahiti
$295 nightly
The price is $342 total per night from Nov 3 to Nov 4
$342 total
Nov 3 - Nov 4
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Arue. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2025

Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts
InterContinental Resort Tahiti by IHG

InterContinental Resort Tahiti by IHG

4 out of 5
Pointe Tata A, Faaa, Tahiti
$336 nightly
The price is $392 total per night from Nov 5 to Nov 6
$392 total
Nov 5 - Nov 6
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Faaa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Just one night here, I arrived early off the ferry at 10am and asked to store luggage, which was no problem and they were happy for me to use the pool and would do what they could to get me in my room asap. 10 mins later they said I could have the room! Very impressive. Nothing was too much trouble. ..."

Reviewed on Oct 8, 2025

InterContinental Resort Tahiti by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Le Soleil de Queenstone

Le Soleil de Queenstone

Papeete, Papeete
Stay at this apartment in Papeete. Popular attractions Port de Papeete and Papeete Market are located nearby.
Le Soleil de Queenstone
Airport Manini Lodge Studio 1

Airport Manini Lodge Studio 1

Faaa, Fa'a'ā
Stay at this apartment in Faaa. Popular attractions Port de Papeete and Papeete Market are located nearby.
Airport Manini Lodge Studio 1
Confortable and cozy Tahiti lagoon view villa with full panoramic view on Moorea

Confortable and cozy Tahiti lagoon view villa with full panoramic view on Moorea

Puna'auia
Stay at this villa in Punaauia. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Popular attractions Papeete Market and Port de Papeete are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
"Well equipped residence with everything you need. Absolutely beautiful view and great pool to enjoy any time of the day/night! Nice and quiet neighbourhood.Denis and Linda are excellent hosts, very accommodating and friendly. Walk down the hill to shops and restaurants is about 7-10 mins and not ..."

Reviewed on Sep 30, 2025

Confortable and cozy Tahiti lagoon view villa with full panoramic view on Moorea
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Cities near Tahiti