Tahiti

Just hearing the name induces daydreams. And words such as idyllic, exotic, and unique just about cover it. Tahiti is an island in the South Pacific, and together with other dreamy islands such as Bora Bora and lesser-known Moorea are part of the island nation of French Polynesia. It’s a group of islands of 118 islands located between Australia and South America.

Papeete is the capital. And the place where you arrive when you come by plane. Many travellers proceed straight to their lodge on the beach, which is actually a shame. It is wonderful to walk through the city to get acclimatised. There is, among other things, a Municipal Market, which has existed for 155 years. You can also take cooking classes to discover Polynesian cuisine.

Point Venus is where explorer James Cook landed in the 18th century. He mentioned the place in his book about the First Voyage on the ship Endeavor. William Bligh also landed here. He was captain of the ship the Bounty, which became world famous for its mutiny. Today, you will find a lighthouse at Point Venus and you can book a guided tour to learn more about its rich history.

The Fautaua Waterfalls are located in the Fautaua Valley. The most famous is Fachoda Falls which is 135 meters high. You will also find the Vaimahutu Falls here. You can enjoy walking here. You need a permit to visit this part of Tahiti. You can easily arrange this admission ticket through your accommodation. It is definitely worth it.

Tahiti has clear warm water and many tropical coral reefs. You can enjoy swimming here. But as soon as you put on a snorkel mask you will see a lot of fish and other animals. You can book various tours, but it is just as smart to just walk into the water. You see coral with many fish almost everywhere. Ask local residents what the best places are, and go on an adventure.

The best time to travel to Tahiti is between May and October, which is the dry season when the daily temperature is around 30 degrees Celsius. Between November and April, there’s a chance of rain and storms during the wet season, which can be short and sweet but also last for hours. It can be hot and sticky during this time.

You can fly to Tahiti, Fa’a’ā International Airport is the only one in French Polynesia and can be reached from many nearby nations including Australia and New Zealand.