
Black sand beach © Tahiti Tourisme
French Polynesia's main island of Tahiti (meaning 'the gathering
place') stands sentinel over her surrounding sisters like a proud
queen, her soaring interior mountains sheltering deep valleys,
plummeting waterfalls and crystal streams flowing down to the
rugged coastline of black and white sand beaches and blue lagoons.
Tahiti is made up of two islands, Tahiti-Nui and Tahiti-Iti, joined
by a narrow isthmus.
Most holidaymakers will begin their island idyll at the
international Faa'a Airport at Papeete, Tahiti's capital and the
commercial hub of French Polynesia. The small, busy city has a
French flavour and laid-back atmosphere, worth exploring for its
vibrant Central Market, pearl shops, attractive waterfront with its
unique mobile diners, and a selection of excellent restaurants.
Another must for visitors is to take a round-the-island tour, along
the 73-mile (117km) road encircling the island, passing historic
monuments, museums, beaches, ruined temples, waterfalls, gardens
and dramatic scenery.
The island's best white sand beaches are between Punaauia and
Papara, but most visitors get more of a thrill out of visiting the
famed black sand beaches on the east coast, particularly renowned
Pointe Venus. Besides enjoying the seaside, Tahiti also offers some
interesting sightseeing, including magnificent Botanical gardens,
museums, archaeological sites, the tomb of the royal family Pomare,
a lake containing unique eared eels, lava tubes, and a host of
other unusual experiences.
Attractions
Harrison W Smith Botanical Gardens
Located near the Gauguin Museum, the Harrison W Smith Botanical
Gardens are an equally popular tourist sight in Papaeari. Smith, an
American physics teacher with a passion for botany, moved to Tahiti
in 1919 to follow his dream of establishing a botanical gardens
filled...
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Le Marche © Sara?
Le Marche
The vibrant heart of Papeete is its fascinating public market,
where for more than 150 years traders have touted a vast array of
exotic goods, from Tahitian arts and crafts, to fragrant oils,
flowers, fruit, straw hats, seashell jewellery and
pareus
(sarongs). The market...
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Paul Gauguin © Clockwrist - unknown photographer
Paul Gauguin Museum
The famous French painter Paul Gauguin spent the last 12 years
of his life in Tahiti and fittingly, the island sports a museum
dedicated to his life and work. Visitors expecting to see original
versions of his iconic Tahiti-period paintings will be
disappointed, although...
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Black Pearls © mynameisharsha
Pearl Museum
Cultured pearls, particularly the famed Tahitian black pearl,
are French Polynesia's main export and without a doubt the best buy
for visitors to the islands. If you are planning to shop for pearls
it is wise to first stop by the Pearl Museum...
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Excursions
Point Venus
Located on Tahiti's northernmost point, about 6 miles (10km)
from Papeete, the Point Venus Lighthouse is a very popular day-trip
destination for visitors to the island. Captain Cook landed in
Point Venus in 1769, and bestowed the area its name after
witnessing the 'transit...
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