Welcome to the black pearl of the Pacific.
After about a hebdomad in the Islands of Tahiti , I was about 60 % coconut palm , and that was just ok with me . With impossibly bloodless guts , unmortgaged lagune that put the blue and greens of the Crayola-64 box to ignominy , and loads of sunshine , French Polynesia is a destination most of us have visited in our reverie .
A amount of 118 stunning island teeming with rich marine life and verdant , volcanic landscape painting are an outside lover ’s vacation spot . Swim in caves on the hazardous seashore , eat half your weighting in fresh seafood , hike through the rainforest , look up to the capital ’s street artistry , or diva or snorkel in crystal clear water . Heck , you’re able to even see the colourful Pisces the Fishes without getting in the water .
Whether you ’re interested in island - hopping or search the corner and crevice of one idyllic parcel of land , Tahitidishes up utter tranquility . turn over this your back - air hole template to a South Pacific reverie .
Daydream destination.|mlenny/E+/Getty Images
How to get to Tahiti and around its islands
Although the islands of Tahiti seem super far - flung ( and feel remote when you ’re there ) , move to French Polynesia is uncomplicated . verbatim flights out of LAX to Fa’aa International Airport viaAir Tahiti Nuiwill nation you in the coveted turquoise harbour in under eight hours . Snag yourself a window fundament if you ’re traveling during daylight hour , and give thanks me afterward . holiday modality is activate upon reaching in Papeete , thanks to live Polynesian music while you wait to go through usage .
The best direction to make your way around the island of Tahiti while also getting local insight , chronicle , and cool stories , is , by far , with a number one wood . Tahiti VIP Toursis one authentic and comfortable service , with well-disposed and knowledgeable guides .
jeopardize to the numerous other island in the archipelago can be done either by boat or brusk flights . TerevauandAremitiare speedy ferries that transport island - hoppers to places like nearby Moorea in about 40 minutes . To reach one of the further situation , Air Tahiti extend a wide electronic web of flight to get you to one of the 47 island or atoll that they serve . Once you get in at your chosen destination , taxis are typically available , or you could order ground transfer pick - up through your accommodation .
Don’t worry, there are faster boats available.|Photo by Lauren Breedlove
Slumber over the sea
If you ’ve seen any photos of Tahiti , overwater bungalows with thatched roofs are in all likelihood one of the first things that come to your creative thinker when you recall of the country . on the face of it rip straight out of a postal card , alluring bungalows poise above aquamarine piss at the big refuge are sure enjoyable , but they are n’t the only alternative . Consider stay on small at a local guesthouse and prepare to have your Tahitian socks knocked right off . You ’ll be off from the crowd , all pampered , and you ’ll get to delight an authentic ethnical experience with local recommendations at the quick , all without the sizable damage tag .
On the island of Tahiti , Villa Ninamu Pearlis a hillside perch with incredible ocean views . locate less than half an minute from the heart of business district Papeete , you ’ll feel world ’s away as you dunk yourself in the secret dip pool with the island of Moorea in the space , before pretend down to the beautiful eatery and terrace for some homemade pizza pie and pasta .
Nestled on the beach in Moorea , Green Lodge Mooreahas six gorgeous seaside bungalows , an onsite bar and opened - kitchen construct eating place , three adorable nonmigratory whelp , and some of the most drool - worthy sunsets you ’ll feast your eyes upon . Rent one of the guild ’s bike and pedal down to the public beach , alternate swim between consortium and the ocean , and indulge in delicious three - form repast fake by the clearly multi - gifted owners .
Be in the water or high above it all.|Ninamu Pearl Tahiti
On the diving event and snorkeling mecca of Rangiroa island , stay at pensionRaira Lagonand savor a front row seat to the intriguing underwater world . fleck black - tipped Witwatersrand shark and schools of tropical fish without even dipping a toe in the sea . An onsite eatery and individual beach area with kayak and snorkel gear furnish all you ’ll need when you ’re not sleeping in your beach bungalow . And , if the stipulation are just right when you ’re there , you may even experience the phenomenon where the lagoon transforms into a seemingly endless mirror with insane reflections of the sky — a true jaw - cliff moment .
Sleep like a celebrity atVahine Private Island Resort & Spa , a nine - room ( six beach and three overwater bungalows ) resort just across the way from the island of Taha’a . Wake up to views of Bora Bora in the length , boat paddle in the onsite kayak , snorkel til your heart ’s content , or record hop on a boat and adventure through the neighboring island . Just check that you eat on as many repast here as potential ; the home prepare food is nothing short of sass watering , with views from the eating place to match . And since vanilla is grown on the island , prepare for the yoghourt at breakfast to screw up you by .
Eat endless fruit, coconut, and fish
“ You ’re never fail to desire to eat a mango in the US again , ” sound out the proprietor at Moorea ’s Green Lodge . Indeed , each piece of the fruit is the poster child of delicate , sweet , juicy , and mature . It should come as no surprisal that the ananas here is also some of the good in the world . tropic yield bet skilful on Gallic Polynesia .
With a thaw smoke of Tahitian , French , and Taiwanese culinary influence , eating street food for thought in Gallic Polynesia is an dangerous undertaking in and of itself . Almost anywhere you go , the national dish of poisson cru will be on the menu : fresh raw fish ( typically tuna ) marinade in citrus juice and coconut Milk River . Another must is the unique chow mein sandwich . bean in a sandwich ? Oh yes .
intellectual nourishment trucks are a freehanded part of the culture in the islands . Affordable and authentic , the food truck parked in Puna’auia just outside of Papeete dish up some of the best . Sunset Roulette and Roulette Chez Nina in particular are ones to head for , peculiarly for the steak frites .
A splash within leg’s reach.|Photo by Lauren Breedlove
For a well - rounded taste of Tahiti , sign up forTahiti Food Toursand corrode your manner around Moorea . Spend the good afternoon hopping around to local food resort , trying items like prune dusted mango , grill Pisces skewers , gardenia ice ointment , freshly - baked traditional Tahitian cocoa palm lolly , or dumpling at Snack Rotui , the old snack cake on the island . Top it all off with po’e , the starchy - sweet afters dish made from taro , pumpkin , or other fruity variations mixed with coconut Milk River . This iconic dish makes an visual aspect in Gallic Polynesian home for every Sunday brunch . Wash it all down with fresh - as - it - gets coconut H2O , or rum clout , of row .
Explore Moorea’s mountains via ATV
ATV Moorea Toursrun low - radical ventures into the heart of the vedant island of Moorea . templet take visitors on ATV rides through the plenty , all while sharing tips , history , and local legend ( ask about the one surrounding a osculation with the fresh water eels ) .
you’re able to drive a quad on off - road shit tracks through swaths of pineapple plant , take in the vista from Belvedere vantage point , get splashed on river - crossing , taste local jam at a roadside agricultural shop , and go uphill to the summit of Magic Mountain where the coastal views are nothing unretentive of … well , magic .
Swim with sharks in Rangiroa
An hour - long trajectory from Tahiti will land you on the unbelievable atoll of Rangiroa , an island composed of 240 tiny isle that shape a circle around a lagoon . This destination in the Tuamotu Islands is world famous for dive and snorkeling , so grab your gear and head into the pristine water to see what you may find . Some of the best smear admit Avatoru Pass and Tiputa Canyons . Marine life such as whitetip shark , lemon shark , manta rays , and even dolphins dazzle divers on the regular . deterrent example , certifications , and term of enlistment are available withTopDive Rangiroa .
If diving event is n’t your hole , you ’re still in fortune . skip aboard a duty tour withOrava Excursionsout to the notoriously vivacious Blue Lagoon , where you ’ll have the opportunity to swim and snorkel with shark — and you ’ll get a beach picnic after , to boot . Jump in the warm , impossibly low water where black - tipped Rand shark and the larger but more subtle maize sharks frequent the shallow areas . Between endless schools of tropical fish , sharks , and colorful coral , it ’ll feel like you ’ve plump into a real - life aquarium .
Hike to the tallest waterfall in Tahiti
The Island of Tahiti is positively prevalent with cascades , and one of the proficient hikes will set down you at the marvelous of them all . Fautaua Falls ( Cascade de Fachoda ) has an impressive 443 foot free fall and is locate in the lush Fautaua Valley , just 15 minutes out of doors of Papeete . Embark on your own , or enhance the outdoor experience with a knowing guide fromMato - Nui Excursions .
The trek through the rainforest commence with an easy , monotonous track and then , depend which route you take , becomes increasingly more thought-provoking . The upper trail is like a sour patch kid ; it will examine your endurance with a steady climb , but gives a sugared reinforcement of a breathtaking ( pun - intended ) viewpoint of Fautaua Falls . The scene is every scrap worth the effort made in the humid clime ; deplume straight out of storybook page , your camera will much take the photograph without you .
The adventure does n’t end there either . Another 15 minutes of stew , rope - engrossing , and navigating rung ladders will gift you the ultimate place to cool off ( and rinse the scandal off ): the pool at the top of the waterfall . Take a brisk dip in one of two pools by either drop-off - jump or lifelike rock slide ; measure your bravery level with either a 10 - foot or 30 - infantry fall . Just do n’t guess too near to the edge of the waterfall , as the current is very dangerous .
Everything in Tahiti is fresh.|Photo by Lauren Breedlove
Visit a black pearl farm in Taha’a
If there ’s one thing to buy in French Polynesia , it ’s probably authentic Tahitian black off-white . Sure , they make a fantastical souvenir or talent , but seeing how they are produced is a wonder to watch . The family - runIaorana Pearl Farmon the gorgeous island of Taha’a offers free tours and a glimpse into life as a master bead grafter . If you happen to stop in when the nonmigratory ivory grafter , Win Sang , is working , you ’re in for a real treat .
“ Every daylight is a adept day , ” say Sang . He does a thumping 300 per day DNA planting operation in the huitre ’s cell nucleus , and decide the pear color out of 180 shade pick . The onsite workshop has a beautiful selection of black pearl jewellery in all mannequin , so you get your lesson and your shopping done in one topographic point .
I, too, am marinated in coconut milk.|Tahiti Food Tours
Quads give you 4-wheel courage.|ATV MOOREA TOURS - RANDO QUAD MOOREA
And now you just get in the water next to it.|Photo by Lauren Breedlove
Meet you at the top.|Photo by Lauren Breedlove
It’s a long process to make a single pearl.|Iaorana PEARL FARM Tahaa
