Tahiti: A 3-Day Island Adventure

  • Day 1: Exploring Papeete
    20 minutes (11 km) from Faa'a International Airport

    Start your day with a visit to the Musée de Tahiti et des Îles, a museum dedicated to the history and culture of Polynesia. Next, walk around the colorful and lively Municipal Market, where you can find local crafts and delicious Tahitian snacks. Later, head over to the volcanic black sand beach at Pointe Venus and take a dip in the clear waters.

  • Day 2: Island Hopping
    45 minutes (35 km) from Papeete to Moorea

    Take a ferry from Papeete to Moorea, where you can embark on a snorkeling tour to see some of the island's diverse marine life. Stop by the Belvedere Lookout for stunning views of the island before enjoying a romantic dinner on a sunset catamaran cruise. Don't forget to snap some pictures of the night sky, free from light pollution!

  • Day 3: Nature Adventures
    30 minutes (15 km) from Papeete to Faa'a International Airport

    Start your day with a hike to the Fautaua Waterfall, located in the midst of lush rainforest. Next, take a boat ride to Le Motu Mahana, a private island with white sand beaches and turquoise waters perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and paddleboarding. End your day with a scenic helicopter tour to see the island from a bird's eye view!

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Musée de Tahiti et des Îles (2 hours, 1000 XPF/$10 USD)
  • Municipal Market (1 hour, 500 XPF/$5 USD)
  • Pointe Venus (2 hours, free)
  • Ferry to Moorea (1 hour, 3100 XPF/$31 USD)
  • Snorkeling tour (4 hours, 10,400 XPF/$104 USD)
  • Belvedere Lookout (1 hour, 0 XPF/free)
  • Sunset catamaran cruise (2 hours, 13,200 XPF/$132 USD)
  • Fautaua Waterfall hike (3 hours, 0 XPF/free)
  • Le Motu Mahana boat ride (5 hours, 28,000 XPF/$280 USD)
  • Helicopter tour (1 hour, 60,000 XPF/$600 USD)
  • Total Estimated Costs: 116,300 XPF/$1,163 USD

Transportation

Driving in Tahiti can be a bit daunting for visitors, as traffic can be congested and road signs are in French. Taxis and buses are widely available, but for a more convenient option, consider renting a car or scooter. A rental car can be rented for approximately 5000 XPF/$50 USD a day, while a scooter can be rented for around 2500 XPF/$25 USD per day. Ferries depart regularly from Papeete to nearby islands, with costs ranging from 3100-3700 XPF/$31-37 USD one way.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, explore more of the island on a guided ATV tour, or visit the stunning lagoon at Bora Bora for a day trip. If you have less time, skip the helicopter tour and sunset cruise, as they are the most expensive activities on the itinerary. Remember to bring sunscreen and insect repellent, as well as a waterproof camera for all the water-based activities.

Airports

Faa'a International Airport (PPT) is the main airport in Tahiti, located in Punaauia on the west coast of the island of Tahiti. The airport code is PPT. It is approximately a 20-minute drive (11 km) from the capital city of Papeete.

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