Other Things to Do
But, these aren't the only things to do here in Tahiti. Around the islands there are a multitude of wonders and activities to enjoy either by yourself, with your significant other, or with the entire family.
Surfing
While these double hulled canoes represent the ability of the Tahitian people to navigate and conquer surrounding islands and peoples, there are other forms of Tahitian culture that just cannot be missed on your stay here. Surfing is something that is enjoyed all over the world, but nowhere but Tahiti can boast the origin of the sport. Surfing was originally created here in French Polynesia, and has spread into a world-wide phenomenon. The original form of surfing was not done standing up, instead it was done laying on the board and riding the wave into the shore on one's stomach. It was an American idea to stand up on the board, creating the modern day view of the sport in the early 20th century.
Throughout the year, the French Polynesian Islands get massive swells from every direction, but the best times of the year for surfing in Tahiti is from April through October. Some of the most popular sites for surfing are:
Taapuna, which is about 10 kilometers from Papeete on the west coast of the main island of Tahiti and is a great place to catch reef waves of all sizes.
Teahupoo, which is close to the Havae pass, is a world renown place for experienced surfers from all over and several major surfing competitions are held here each year.
Te Ava Ino, along with Te Ava Iti and Vairao, boast some of the best waves for the average surfer to explore while in Tahiti.
Venus Point, another beautiful surfer spot, is great for those who are just beginners or looking to learn the sport.
Papara, located on the south side of Tahiti, is yet one more great spot for those who are just beginning.
Haapiti, on Moorea, has wonderfully powerful waves for the experienced surfers to enjoy.
Opunohu Bay and Cook's Bay is a great family surf spot, since the waves here are lower and gentler, and even children can learn to ride here.
On the island of Huahine, there are several places where the waves roll all year round, which include: Fitii, Parea, and Fare.
But, as with any sport, you need to check with the local weather and swell predictions to ensure that you don't get into something that is over your head as a surfer. Take precautions and be aware of your limitations. If you don't know how to surf or if you need a few more pointers, there are several schools all around the islands to help you improve your style and ability and allow you to enjoy this wonderful Polynesian sport. One surf school which is very popular in Tahiti, is the Ecole de Tura'i Mataare, (689) 77-27-69 or surfschool@mail.pf, and they offer a half-day course for beginners to see if you have what it takes to become a surfer for 4,800 CFP ($48 U.S.).
Diving
Diving is something that everyone should enjoy on their visit to Tahiti and her islands. Tahiti boasts some of the most diverse diving areas in the world, and allows each diver to experience the joy of seeing many native sea creatures like sharks, rays, coral, and a wide variety of multi-colored fish. The waters around Tahiti stay between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius, which is a wonderful temperature for anyone wanting to dive, and the temperatures stay constant to a depth of about 60 meters. To ensure that you get the most out of your Tahitian diving experience, make sure that you are a good swimmer, know your limits in the water, and check the local forecasts before heading out for a dive.
The wide variety of life and other things that a diver can find in Tahiti is astounding. Since there are over 180 islands that make up French Polynesia, the abundance of reef diving is something that cannot be missed while here, and the volcanic origins of the islands themselves have given us many beautiful lagoons that are perfect for any dive, any day. These lagoons are able to offer divers a wonderful array of mellow, shallow waters and a massive number of marine life and plants that are sure to awe you. But, please remember that these ecosystems are very fragile and can be damaged by the slightest touch. So, while on a dive here in Tahiti, please remember to look but don't touch!
Here are some of the marine and plant life that you can be assured to see while on a dive here in Tahiti:
- Coral – while some think that coral is just a plant, it is actually an animal. Made up of a long, tentacle-like body with a small “mouth”, coral grow and reproduce, leaving behind a wonderful shell for other marine animals, fish, plants, and even divers to enjoy. There are several different types of coral that are found here in Tahiti, such as “porites” which have a large “head” that resembles a human brain, “Cauliflower” which is a favorite for smaller fish and resembles a large piece of cauliflower, “acropora” which has thicker branches and are ideal for hiding.
- Seaweed – while not quite the most beautiful of plants out of water, seaweed is a wonderfully flowing plant in the water and makes up the homes and food for a wide variety of marine life. There are many different types of seaweed as well, each one as unique as the coral that it grows on, giving the reef a “fringed” appearance.
- Starfish – these wonderful creatures can be found all over the coral reefs here in Tahiti and appear in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors that are sure to amaze even experienced divers. One variety of these starfishes is the taramea, which can eat more than its own weight in coral each year.
- Sea Urchins – which are always fascinating to watch as they make their way across the coral, feeding and lumbering about. With their long spikes, they look dangerous, but are actually a wonderful treat for those who love seafood. Some species of sea urchin, like the fetu'e, which are pencil shaped, are longer and more ornate, making them a wonderful sight to see.
- Rori – a long, gooey, holothury which resembles a huge sausage, is very common here. They “crawl” along the coral and sand, eating the sand that it finds for the organic material inside.
Trocas – are large, cone shaped shells that are always beautiful and always taken for their mother of pearl exteriors. - Marlinspikes – longer, pointed shells that are a favorite of collectors both in and out of Tahiti.
Ma'oa – are some of the most tasty crustaceans that abound our reefs, and are usually found near the reef where the surf breaks. - Pahua – are some of the largest crustaceans found here, and their shells alone can measure up to one meter in size.
Crabs, lobsters, and other common crustaceans are also abundant here in Tahiti and most make it to the tables all around the islands.
Lagoon fish are widely abundant here as well, and there are over 800 different species that thrive throughout the lagoons in the French Polynesian Islands. While there is an abundance of fish in the lagoons here, there is not a reason to catch them since most can be purchased at local markets already cleaned and even cooked, so let them go about their business as you dive.
Here are a few of them to watch for on your next dive here in Tahiti:
- Sharks – while some sharks like the “black tips” and “white fins” do come into the lagoons on occasion, they are not to be feared as they don't cause any harm to the divers here. The only ones that are dangerous in the area are the lemon sharks and the tiger sharks, but they steer clear of the lagoons and do not come close to the entrances of them either. So, you have nothing to fear from the small, lone shark lazily swimming around the lagoon.
- Surgeon fish
- Rays – There are three different kinds of rays here in Tahiti: the manta rays, the lagoon rays, and the spotted eagle ray. The manta rays are the largest of the three that love the lagoon life here in Tahiti. With a span of up to 4 meters, they are a wonder to watch while diving as they hunt for their food among the sand and coral. The lagoon rays are the most common and are gray in color and range anywhere from a few inches in size up to 1.5 meters long. These rays are very friendly and love to be fed from local divers, so they will usually come right up to you while you are on your dive, and while they are carnivores, they are harmless and won't attack you. The spotted eagle rays are usually shier and won't come up to divers unless they have been trained or tamed, like in the lagoons around Bora Bora. None of these rays are dangerous, and the old tales about the larger rays tackling an unsuspecting diver and drowning them are unrealistic and most Tahitians laugh at these wonderfully spun tales.
- Moray eels – normally hide in the cracks and crevasses in the coral and are dangerous, so steer clear of these when you find them as they don't like to be disturbed.
- Angel fish – a smaller fish with beautiful fins, it usually hides among the coral
- Butterfly fish – another smaller fish with beautiful colors that loves to play among the coral
- Parrot fish – a larger fish with beautiful colors and fins, can easily be spotted hiding to catch it's next meal
- Stone fish – this is the only fish in the lagoon that a diver needs to beware of. Their sting is extremely painful and can be deadly if not treated quickly enough. So, beware their long dorsal spikes, which contain the venom and if you are stung, seek immediate help.
Passes in and out of the lagoons, connect the lagoons with the open seas. These passes are beautiful, but not for the first time diver or the weak at heart, as this is where the sharks lie in wait for their meals to be delivered to them on the currents. Out in the open waters of the ocean is another diver's paradise, as this is where the larger fish dwell. Bonitos, Pacific Wahoos, and Tuna are some of the main staples of the French Polynesian diets and are found on many tables throughout the islands every day. Fishing out on the ocean waters that surround the islands is known around the world for it's abundance of swordfish and other deep sea fishing, and people come from all over the world to try their hand at catching these larger fish. Mahi Mahi is another species of fish that is an abundant and wonderfully tasteful part of any islanders diet. These fish are still caught by harpoon off of the potimarara, a powerfully fast boat.
So, no matter what type of diver you are or what kind of experience you want from your diving here in Tahiti, there are several different areas to choose from. The lagoon offers the most laid back diving, that one can enjoy with a simple mask and snorkel. Here you can view thousands of different fish and other marine life. Lagoons are easy to navigate about, as they are really just huge swimming pools with the clearest water around. There are also markers that help divers know which way they are going should they get turned around while diving, red will head you back toward land, while green will send you off toward the ocean. Some lagoons do have areas that cannot be swam in, but rather waded around, since the coral formations are so large that they come within two feet of the surface. But, even these shallower areas of coral can have their advantages, since they are some of the most photographed parts of the seas around Tahiti. Deep sea diving also has its advantages as a more experienced diver can see sights that are not available anywhere else in the world!
The Aquatica Dive Centre, (689) 53-34-96, is a great place to find all sorts of water sports or just to learn how to dive. Located at the Inter-Continental Tahiti Beachcomber Resort, they offer scuba diving for around 6,500 CFP ($65 U.S) which includes equipment and a guide, a beginner's dive for 6,000 CFP ($60 U.S.), snorkeling gear rentals for 1,000 CFP ($10 U.S), guided snorkeling trips for 3,500 CFP ($35 U.S.), and many other water sports that you will enjoy while staying in Tahiti.
Sailing and Boat Rentals
For those who are sailors or just love boating, there are boat rentals available all around the islands. There are three main marinas in Tahiti where visitors can rent boats that are located on the islands of Tahiti, Moorea, and Raiatea. You can rent either a single hull or a catamaran that vary in length up to 56 feet. You can also rent the skipper to go along with you, but if you choose not to, you will be required to provide proof of your sailing experience before you are allowed to rent a sailboat. When renting a boat here, you can either go for a round trip ride, returning to the same marina, or you can opt for a one-way journey to another marina for an extra fee.
The main area of sailing and boat rentals is the island of Raiatea. Here, you can find the best place to start your journey, along with the most rental places and stores that carry all the equipment that you might need. The rental service that you choose will help you to plan your entire journey, along with any other planning that you might need or would like help with before starting off on your trip.
Before you head out on your trip, you will be provided with maps and charts that show you where the entrances to the lagoons are. These entrances are usually marked clearly, so you can see exactly where they are while sailing along. Once you are in a lagoon with your boat, stay as close to the middle as possible and let the current carry you. If you are planning a longer trip, make sure that you find out about fresh water, as some islands don't have docks and others require water rationing. So, you might need to take along a supply of fresh water before you head out on your journey.
While in the lagoons, try to stay with the current, but be careful as some currents are very strong. Usually, these stronger currents are caused by the tide and swells that pass through the reef itself, creating a major current that can carry the unsuspecting sailor right into the reef if they are not careful. If you are sailing along the islands that do not have lagoons, or you are not planning to visit a lagoon on your trip, make sure that you watch the waters carefully as there are some stronger currents and tides on the open waters that are not found in the quieter lagoons.
If you decide to moor your sailboat while on your journey, try to moor inside a lagoon where the waters won't change much with tides and swells. Make it a point to get to a safe location to moor your ship by around 5 pm so you will be sure to have enough daylight to navigate between the reefs and coral formations without running aground. After 6 pm, is it virtually impossible to find a place to moor your ship due to the lack of light and the problems with seeing the coral and other shallow areas. Due to these problems, sailors are not allowed to operate their sailboats at night in the lagoons and closer to the islands.
Some of the best places to moor your sailboat around the islands are:
- Bora Bora (especially on the southeast and eastern sides)
- Tahaa
- Raiatea
- Huahine
- Maupiti
- Tupai
- Tahiti (on the northwest and western coasts, not on the east coast)
- Tetiaroa (only in the daytime)
- Rangiroa
- Manihi
- Tikehau
- Fakarava
- Marquesas ( Nuku-Hiva, Hiva-Oa, Fatu-Hiva)
Deep Sea Fishing
Tahiti and her sister islands are known the world over for their fabulous deep sea fishing. With larger game fish that range from Blue Marlin to Barracudas, there is always a surprise to be had while fishing in our crystal blue waters. There are several different charter companies who offer deep sea fishing trips daily in and around Tahiti and her islands, you only need to check with your hotel's reservations desk to find out more about them and their schedules. The majority of these companies also offer lessons for beginners, so have no fear if you have never gone deep sea fishing before, they will teach you all you need to know to catch the “big one”. Since these companies have been in business for many years, they will also know the best areas to catch certain fish and be able to provide a great time for all.
Safaris
Feeling adventurous? Well, Tahiti has it's fair share of safaris for you to enjoy. From treks along the coastal regions to interior island safaris, you can view everything Tahitian in it's natural state and beauty. Flowers, ferns, fruits, and other plants of the rain forests here are always ready to show off their beauty and the animals are as well. Most guides on these safaris are more than willing to share information with you about the plants, animals, and places that you visit, and you will gain a wealth of knowledge about the islands and the best things to do here on your vacation as well.
These safari tours are usually done from and open four-wheel-drive and will be able to see more breathtaking sights than you can on foot alone. Depending on the route and the weather, most expeditions will take travelers down unpaved roads up into the mountains, through the Papenoo Valley. If the weather is good, most will go through the water supply tunnels that cut into the interior ridge and take the passengers down to Lake Vaihiria along the Vaihiria River. These altitudes are usually many degrees cooler than the beaches and lower area of the islands, and can be quite refreshing to most people. Just make sure that you choose a clear, bright day for your safari as most won't go as deep into the mountains if clouds might ascure the views, June through September is the best time of the year for these trips.
A couple of popular safari companies are:
Tahiti Safari Expedition – (689) 42-14-15 or www.tahiti-safari.com
Marama Tours – (689) 83-96-50
Both of these safari providers charge around 5,500 CFP ($55 U.S.) per half-day trip or 9,500 CFP ($95 U.S.) for an entire day. When you, or your hotel, books the tour, make sure to find out what you will need to take with you, like a hat, sunscreen, bathing suit, or any other items that might make your trip more enjoyable.
Organized Tours
Throughout Tahiti, there are several different companies that offer organized tours of the islands and the sights and attractions within them. Most of the hotels and resorts around Tahiti will be able to book tours for you at their reservation desks or will have a tour desk there in the hotel. Be sure to ask for any discounts that are available by booking them through the hotel. Usually, these tours cost around 5,000 CFP ($50 U.S0 for a half-day tour or 7,500 CFP ($75 U.S.) for a whole day, and these prices should include any entrance fees into museums or attractions that the tour stops at and usually lunch.
Some of the most popular companies who provide tours around the islands are:
Adventure Eagle Tours – (689) 77-20-03
Tahiti Tours – (689) 42-78-70 or www.tahiti-tours.com
Tahiti Nui Travel – (689) 42-62-03 or www.tahiti-nui.com
Marama Tours – (689) 82-08-42 or www.maramatours.com
Helicopter Tours
For a one of a kind tour around the island of Tahiti or Moorea, you can have your hotel book a helicopter tour. For a tour around Tahiti, expect to pay around 16,000 CFP ($160 U.S.) and for a tour around Moorea, expect to pay around 25,000 CFP ($250 U.S.). The Tahiti tour should last about 20 minutes, and the Moorea tour should last about 35 minutes. Usually, the helicopter tour requires at least four people to book the tour.
Circle Island Tour
You can also book a circle-island tour from your hotel as well. These tours will drive you around the island of Tahiti and is a great way to see all the sights on the outlying areas of the island as well as escape to the old Polynesia ways far from the hustle and bustle of Papeete. You can book these tours from any hotel on Tahiti or Moorea, just be sure to tell the company that you are coming from Moorea so they will meet you at the ferry dock!
If you choose to rent a car and create your own circle tour of Tahiti, make sure that you find out when rush hour is on the island and if there is any road work going on during the time that you are thinking of taking your trip. On the eastern coast of Tahiti, landslides are common, so there might be road work that will close off part of the road, ask your car rental company if they know of any problems on the roads or any other tips that you might need to know before starting on your journey.
Walking Tours
These daily tours are quite popular around the tourist areas in Tahiti. They begin at the Tahiti Manava Visitors Bureau, which is located by the cruise-ship dock, and there are several different tours that run throughout the day. Try to go on a walking tour early in the morning or late in the afternoon when most of the establishments are open and not crowded with too many patrons. These tours usually take around two hours to complete and then end at the Papeete Town Hall.
Here is an overview of a walking tour on Tahiti:
Begin at the Tahiti Manava Visitors Bureau and head west on Boulevard Pomare.
The Centre Vaima is the first stop on the tour and is a wonderful collection of shops that caters mostly to the French and European peoples on the island.
From here, you will head down the boulevard toward the Quay.
The next stop is the Quay, which is where the beautiful yachts come from the world over to meet here from April through September along with the many boats belonging to locals that are docked here permanently. From the Quay, you will be able to see Motu Uta, which was once the island of Queen Pomare, but is now home to Tahiti's warehouses and wharves. On the other side of Mota Uta, is the Fare Ute which is home to the industrial are of Tahiti and the French Naval Base.
Heading west, the next stop on the tour is the Parc Bourgainville which is a wonderful shaded park that is named after a French Explorer who was just a little too late to gain any credit for discovering the islands. Between two ancient cannons in the park stands his statue.
Continuing west, your next stop will be the traffic circle at the end of the Avenue Bruat. While this might not seem like something for a tour stop, this magnificent circle is a major project for Tahiti and showcases a tribute to the French Polynesians who fought in World War II.
Still heading west, following the waterfront, your next stop on the tour is Eglise Evangelique. This wonderful old church is the largest of the Protestant Churches in Tahiti and her surrounding islands and grew out of some of the earliest mission work of the London Missionary Society.
Continuing on your tour, and still heading west, you will pass many of the older, colonial homes that sit along the boulevard. The end of this leg of your tour will lead you to Place Toata. Place Toata is one more project that has sprung out of Tahiti's restructuring funds. This beautiful park is built over an old landfill and is one of the most visited places during the day and night. Filled with beautiful views and small, cheap snack bars, Place Toata is the perfect place to relax for your lunch hour or bring your family at night to play. It also boasts an amphitheater, which holds concerts and the dance competition during the Heiva I Tahiti each July. Just across the street is the Office Territorial d'Action Culturelle, which is Tahiti's library and cultural center. The Place Toata is also the place where you will take a break during your tour, due to the multitude of snack bars that offer everything from ice cream to full course meals as well as well-kept restrooms!
After your break, you will head back east on the boulevard to the Place Tarahoi. This is the governmental center of Papeete and used to be the royal property that held the home of Queen Pomare. Although her mansion is gone, the Papeete Town Hall now stands here.
Once again on your way, you will continue east for a couple more blocks to the Cathedrale de l'Immaculee Conception, which is the oldest Catholic church in Tahiti. Here you can see a wonderful collection of paintings that show the Crucifixion.\
Heading east once more, you will find your next stop to be the famed Marche' Municipale. This market is a great place to sample everything from tropical fruits to handicrafts made here in Tahiti. You can find wonderful souvenirs to take home for everyone on your list here!
Once you are back on your tour after browsing through the Marche' Municipale, you will head east for two more blocks until you reach the Papeete Town Hall, or the Hotel de Ville, once more. Since this will be the last stop on your walking tour, you are free to head back to any of the attractions or parks that you visited on your tour and shop or view the sights once more.
Golf
For those golf enthusiasts, Papeete has a world class 18-hole golf course that spans over 20,000 feet. The Atimaono Golf Course, (689) 57-43-41, was built over the same site that held William Stewart's cotton plantation. This golf course also has a pro shop, restaurant, locker rooms, clubhouse, bar, showers, a spa pool, a swimming pool, and a driving range, so you and your family are sure to find something fun here. The Golf Course and Clubhouse are open daily from 8 am until dark, and the fees for the greens usually run about 5,500 CFP ($55 U.S) per person. You can choose to take an all-day Golf tour through Marama Tours, (689) 83-96-50, for about 15,000 CFP, ($150 U.S.), per person. This price includes all your green fees, transportation to and from the course, and any equipment that you might need.
The Jack Nicklaus Golf Course on Moorea
On the breathtaking island of Moorea, an 18-hole golf course called the “Jack Nicklaus International Golf Course” is located at Temae. This 165 hectare course will be one of the most modern in the world. Still under construction, there will be a five-star resort that will boast over 150 rooms, most of which will overlook the course and the ocean. For those of you who are seeking to live in Tahiti, there will also be a residential area with over 80 different rooms as well as a wonderful array of villas that will all be built in the classical Polynesian style.
Hiking Trails
With it's beautiful island views and trails, Tahiti also can boast some wonderful hiking trails. One of the best known, and well traveled, is the Papenoo Valley – Lake Vaihiria route that will take you across the island and deep into the rain forest. Another well known trail will take you to the top of Mount Aorai, and yet one more will skirt the wild eastern coast of Tahiti for a more natural island journey.
Although these trails are well known around Tahiti, visitors here should not head off on their own without the right gear and a knowledgeable guide. There are so many factors that can get unwary travelers lost deep in the rain forests, like sudden downpours which can swell streams and creeks, covering most of the trails, and rapidly growing tropical vegetation that can quickly regrow to cover the trails that you followed just a day or so before. The rainy side of the island itself can vary from day to day, so what you thought you were steering clear of, can swiftly move in and overwhelm you. And, since some hiking trails cross government lands, you will need a permit for these trails.
So, overall, it is generally best to head on a hike with a group or guide. The most popular company that offers these hikes is Tahiti Evasion, (689) 56-48-77 or www.tahitievasion.com, which is based on the island of Moorea. They offer all day hikes deep into the Fautaua Valley, where you can see the famed Loti's Pool; or the breathtaking Ithe Orofero Valley on the south coast of Tahiti. They also offer a hike to the top of Mt. Aorai for the more adventurous. These daily hikes usually run about 9000 CFP ($90 U.S.) and can be booked in advance if you like. For a longer hike, you can choose the 3 day, 2 night trek that will take you along the east coast of Tahiti, but you will have to call for availability and prices.
Another company that offers hiking trips is Tahiti Nui Travel, (689) 42-68-03 or www.tahiti-nui.com, and they usually have 3 to 7 day trips around Tahiti which start at 60,000 CFP ($600 U.S.) per person.
Tahiti Manava Visitors Bureau can also give you the names of local guides and hiking groups that go out regularly and would love to take you along. You can reach the visitors bureau at (689) 50-57-12 or www.tahiti-manava.pf