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Tahiti

Black sand beaches, markets and surf waves

Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia and its main hub, covering about 400 sq mi. It has two parts joined by a narrow isthmus, the large Tahiti Nui and the smaller Tahiti Iti. A coastal road circles most of the island while the steep green interior stays largely empty. Papeete has the waterfront market and the ferry terminal for Moorea. Beyond town you can see black sand beaches, waterfalls and the surf break at Teahupo'o. Most international flights land here, so many trips pass through for a night or two. A few days is enough to see the island itself.

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Island

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	7

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3/5

In Tahiti, most locals speak French, but many also understand basic English, especially in tourist areas and hotels. Tourists will find simple conversations manageable with friendly gestures and a few key phrases.

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Last update: Oct 23, 2026

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Tahiti Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

"Best for" scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

"Your personal" scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

"Suited for" badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travelers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Great at offering crystal‑clear lagoons and vibrant coral reefs, Tahiti invites travelers to savor Polynesian culture, lush rainforests and world‑class surfing spots and tropical sunsets.

Place score

9.1

Best at:

Surfing

Islands

Sea

Natural sites

Forests

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🌈 8

LGBTQ+

French Polynesia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	110 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	CFP Franc (XPF) $1 ≈ CFPF 107
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in larger cities and tourist areas, but cash is often preferred in more rural locations. Credit cards are commonly used in resorts and hotels. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in French Polynesia but appreciated. A 10% tip is common in restaurants, and small tips for hotel staff and taxi drivers are welcome.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not permitted in many areas of French Polynesia, and alcohol is typically consumed in licensed venues such as bars and restaurants.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces but is allowed in designated outdoor areas.

French National Day (July 14)	Celebrates France's national holiday
Heiva Festival (July)	A celebration of traditional Polynesian culture and dance

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 17 (Police), 15 (Ambulance), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	French Polynesia is known for its stunning islands, crystal-clear waters, and overwater bungalows. It's a popular destination for luxury tourism, snorkeling, diving, and experiencing Polynesian culture.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Tahiti, French Polynesia

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Dry season May to October is best for beaches, diving and hiking; wet season November to April brings heavy showers and occasional cyclones

Heiva i Tahiti, dance and music festival, late June to July

Humpback whales visit July to October; surf season at Teahupo'o peaks May to September

Don't miss

🚤 Sail to Bora Bora's turquoise lagoon
🛬 Explore Faa'a International Airport's local markets
🏔️ Hike up Mount Aorai for sunrise views
🥥 Taste fresh coconut water at a beachside shack
🛍️ Stroll through Papeete's colorful Saturday market

You've been here?

Why travel to Tahiti?

Tahiti suits people who want surf, waterfalls and town life on one island. It's the biggest island in French Polynesia, so it has more roads, shops and restaurants than the smaller islands. Most of the interior is steep rainforest with no settlement. Almost everyone lives along the coast. The black sand beaches on the north and east coasts are volcanic and wilder than the white lagoon beaches of Moorea or Bora Bora. The calmer lagoon water is mostly on the west side. In Papeete the main sight is the market. Stalls sell flowers, fruit, fish and handicrafts, with the best selection early in the morning. The waterfront is good for a walk at dusk when food trucks set up. The Museum of Tahiti and Islands in Punaauia covers the history of the Polynesian islands. On the northeast coast you can stop at the Arahoho blowhole and waterfall and at Venus Point, where a lighthouse stands above a black sand beach. Inland valleys have hiking trails and waterfalls. Some are on private land, so check access with a local guide. Tahiti Iti, the smaller peninsula, is quieter. The road ends at Teahupo'o. The reef break there is known as one of the heaviest waves in the world and hosted the surfing at the Paris Olympics. Most surfers come between May and August, when southern swells are strongest. You can watch from a boat in the channel with a local operator, but the wave itself is for experts only. Many visitors use Tahiti as a base for a night or two before a ferry or flight to Moorea or farther islands. Give it three to four days if you want to see the coast, the market and the surf.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Mo’orea
2 Tahiti
3 Les 3 Cascades
4 Bora Bora Lounge
5 Raiatea Yacht Broker - pre used sail boats

🎡Places for activities

1 Easy Market
2 Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Les 3 Cascades

🛍️Shopping

1 Easy Market
2 Moorea Market

🍽️Eat & Drink

1 L'O à la Bouche
French food with Polynesian touches in a luxury restaurant in central Papeete. The menu lists foie gras with apple sauce, red tuna carpaccio and Tahiti shrimp in coconut milk curry. Diners can finish with profiteroles in vanilla and chocolate sauce.
2 Le Grillardin
Traditional French food in a fine dining restaurant on Rue Paul Gauguin, across from Papeete city hall. The kitchen prepares smoked duck breast, snails and beef Wellington, a filet wrapped in pastry. Desserts are made in-house.
3 Hei Restaurant
French tasting dinners built on local products in a fine dining restaurant on the Papeete waterfront. The chef offers a seven-course discovery menu of local ingredients. The kitchen has prepared roast duckling with rosemary and potato risotto.
4 Nui Bistro Bon
French and Polynesian food at a wine bar and restaurant in the Tamanu Nui center, Punaauia. The restaurant offers set menus of three, five or seven courses that change every month. It is closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
5 Brasserie des Remparts
French bistro food at the corner of Rue Maréchal Foch and Rue des Remparts in Papeete. Diners can order snails in parsley butter, tuna tartare and confit duck with endive. The restaurant is open weekdays only.
6 Dahlia
Chinese food in Arue, on the sea side of the road. Cooks prepare salt shrimp, roast piglet in coconut milk, ginger chicken and Chinese-style poisson cru, raw fish. The restaurant has been open for more than 50 years.
7 The Surf House
French seafood on the seventh floor of the Kon Tiki Tahiti hotel. Guests look out over Papeete port and Moorea while they eat. The chef writes a new menu every week and uses local produce.
8 Meherio Tahitian Bistro
Bistro food with Polynesian flavors by the Papeete marina, next to Paofai Gardens. The kitchen makes poisson cru, raw fish in coconut milk, plus Angus steak. The restaurant is open daily from 11 am with sunset views of the harbor.
9 L'Apizzeria
Wood-fired pizza and pasta close to the center of Papeete. Diners can also order sashimi, carpaccio and poisson cru, raw fish with coconut milk. The restaurant has run for more than 55 years and is closed Sundays.

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Visit Papeete market early on Sunday morning for the best selection.
Coastal roads get busy around Papeete at rush hour, so plan drives for midday.
Swim inside the lagoon rather than at black sand beaches where waves and currents can be strong.
Bring some cash for market stalls and roadside food trucks, since small vendors often don't take cards.

How to travel to Tahiti

Almost everyone arrives by air at Tahiti-Faa'a International Airport (PPT), about 3 mi from central Papeete. Airlines including Air Tahiti Nui, French Bee and United fly here, mostly from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Auckland and Tokyo. Flights from Los Angeles take about eight hours and from Auckland about five. From Europe you usually connect in Los Angeles or San Francisco. Domestic flights to the other islands also leave from this airport. Taxis and pre-arranged transfers take you to Papeete and the west coast hotels in a short drive. Cruise ships and yachts call at Papeete. The ferry terminal there is the departure point for Moorea. Many nationalities can visit for up to 90 days without a visa, but the rules depend on your passport. Your passport usually needs to be valid for at least three months after you leave. Declare anything taxable or restricted at customs. Check the rules for cash and valuables too.

Access summary

From Faa'a International (FSS): Taxi to Papeete, 10–15 min.
From Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): Direct flight 12h; from Los Angeles LAX: 11h.
Cruise ships dock at Port of Papeete; local bus or taxi to city center.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Tahiti

Accommodation on Tahiti runs from hotels and resorts to family guesthouses, camping and boat stays at the marinas. Prices are high compared with many places. The west coast is the most developed. Papeete suits you if you want the market, restaurants and the ferry terminal within reach. It's busy and noisy at night. The west coast around Punaauia and Faa'a has beach hotels with lagoon views, plus the airport nearby, which works well for a night around flights. A resort here is also a base for the museum and the west-coast sights. The east and south coasts are quieter and have small guesthouses, often with a garden or a lagoon view. Around Taravao and Tahiti Iti you'll find simple stays that suit surfers and walkers. You need a car there. The busiest months are July and August, so book ahead for those weeks.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Tahiti Airport Motel

7.8

Manava Suite Resort Tahiti

8.0

InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa By IHG

8.7

Hilton Hotel Tahiti

8.8

Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts

7.6

Royal Tahitien

7.5

Boutique Hôtel Kon Tiki Tahiti

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Tahiti

A coastal road of about 70 mi circles the main part of the island and most sights are along it. Traffic drives on the right. Papeete gets congested at rush hour.

Buses:
A bus network connects Papeete with the districts around the island and needs no booking. Ask the driver if you're unsure which bus to take. Services run less often in the evening and on Sundays, so check the last return before you head out.

Taxis:
Taxis wait at the airport and in Papeete but they're expensive. Ask for the fare before you set off. It's worth booking airport transfers in advance or asking your accommodation to arrange one.

Car:
A rental car is the easiest way to see the coast and the road to Teahupo'o. Some rental companies ask for an International Driving Permit, so check before you travel. Interior roads are narrow and steep.

Ferries and flights:
Fast ferries leave the Papeete terminal for Moorea and take about 30 to 60 minutes. Short flights to Moorea leave from the airport and take only minutes. Air Tahiti flies on to the other islands from the same airport.

Tours:
4x4 trips into the interior, boat tours and helicopter flights are available. Book them ahead, especially in the busy months.

Food in Tahiti

Tahitian food mixes French and Polynesian cooking. Fish and coconut sit beside baguettes and pastries. Restaurants in Papeete and along the west coast serve both styles. The market and roadside stalls sell fruit and snacks. Prices are high because many goods are imported. Tipping isn't expected.

Poisson cru:
The national dish of raw tuna marinated in lime juice and mixed with coconut milk, cucumber and onion. It's served cold as a starter or a light lunch and is on most menus.

Roulottes:
Food trucks set up near the Papeete waterfront in the evening. They serve steak with fries, chow mein, crepes and grilled fish at tables beside the truck. It's the easiest cheap dinner in town.

Ma'a Tahiti:
A traditional feast of pork, fish, breadfruit and taro leaves cooked in an underground oven. Some hotels and tour operators serve it on a set night, often with dance.

Bakeries and fruit:
Bakeries sell baguettes, coconut bread and pastries from early morning. Markets and roadside stands sell tropical fruit, which helps if your guesthouse has a kitchen.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when traveling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customize this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-4 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 4% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+1 %

Your exchange rate (USD to XPF) is 1% worse than in recent years. That means traveling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	$133	$257	$596
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	$80	$150	$300
🍝 Food per day	$44	$95	$251
🚕 Transportation per day	$9	$11	$46

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	$45
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	$19
🍟 Fast food combo	$15
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	$16
☕ Cappuccino	$4.10
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l / 16 oz	$3.20

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	$2
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	$28
⛽ Gas, 1 l / ¼ gal	$1.60

Other

🎞️ Movie ticket	$15
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	$34
🤧 Cold medication	$4.90
💇 Basic haircut	$20

Safety information overview

General safety

Tahiti is generally safe, though theft can happen, so keep valuables in a hotel safe and avoid isolated beaches after dark. Strong waves and currents affect the black sand beaches and reef passes. Cyclones are possible from November to April and earthquakes can occur.

Health & Medical

Health care on Tahiti is good for routine problems, but serious cases may need transfer to a larger facility, so insurance with evacuation cover matters. Dengue and chikungunya are mosquito risks. Divers should know the territory's only hyperbaric chamber is in Papeete.

Accessibility

Papeete's center is flat and compact, but pavements are uneven in places. Outside town a car or taxi is the easiest option. Waterfalls and viewpoints often involve steps or rough tracks. Some larger hotels offer step-free rooms, so ask before booking.

Tap water

Tap water in Papeete and other large towns is generally treated, but advice varies by district, so ask your hotel. Bottled water is easy to buy and the safer choice in villages and on trips into the interior.