Travel to Tahiti

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Tahiti, French Polynesia Tahiti Bora Bora

Tahiti is the largest island of the archipelago. Its capital, Papeete (which means 'basket of water') is a port town and the main port of the archipelago. The island has no shortage of attractions. You must, of course, not expect the breathtaking panorama of Bora Bora, but there are however spectacular sceneries with its beautiful lagoon areas and a rich nature.

Composed of 2 volcanic masses with steep reliefs, Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti, the island offers impressive landscapes, particularly in inland areas as it has rugged mountains bathed in clouds, deep valleys and stunning waterfalls. While the majority of the hotels are located west of Papeete, where the golden beaches and lagoons are, the eastern coast offers a far wilder and more authentic ambiance.

In the north, the town of Papeete is not a tourist destination but more a place for strolls for a few hours. The small commercial capital is not devoid of charm, but it does not really have monuments or architectural elements of great interest. You can stroll on its waterfront, visit its lively and picturesque market (rue du 22 September) and have a look at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Papeete. Try to go on a Saturday, when the traffic is less heavy.

Varied leisure activities (sports, nature excursions and nightlife).
Many hotels and restaurants.

cons

The traffic, heavy in Papeete.
Few beautiful beaches.

Weather Tahiti - choosing the best time to go

French Polynesia - Tahiti

All overall indicators 78/100 Good
Temperature indicators 98/100 Excellent
Bad weather indicators 48/100 Average
Sunbathing indicators 58/100 Average
Swimming indicators 90/100 Excellent
Wind indicators 80/100 Excellent
Temperature indicatorsHot / Optimal :
The maximum temperature is <24°, temperature felt between 30°C and 33°C.
Bad weather indicatorsShowers :
Showers - averaging between 2.5mm and 3.5mm per day.
Sunbathing indicatorsSunny intervals :
Cloudy with sunny intervals (40% to 60% cloud cover).
Swimming indicatorsVery pleasant / Optimal :
High air temperature (>24°C), high sea temperature (>24°C), light to moderate winds (between 7 mph and 12 mph).
Wind indicatorsLight breeze / Optimal :
Optimal comfort: optimal wind speed (between 7 mph and 12 mph) in a warm environment (>24°C).

Weather finder : Tahiti / May Annual weather finder : Tahiti

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Visit Tahiti

To see

See the Tahiti and the Islands Museum, the Paul Gauguin Museum and the Botanical Garden (Papeari), the beautiful home of James Norman Hall, the author of "Mutiny on the Bounty" (Arue), as well as the waterfall of Papenoo Valley and the Robert Wan Pearl Museum (Centre Vaima, Papeete).

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To do

Discover more of the island by 4x4 (Marama Safari: 430995, Tahiti Safari Expedition: 421415).
Do a tour of the island (Adventure Eagle tour: 772003, Tahiti Nui Travel: 426803).
Go scuba diving (Elheutera diving: 424929, Aquatic diving: 533496, Scubatek: 422355).

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To think about

In town, the ?trailers', restaurants on wheels, open in the evening on Vaiete Square (Papeete), and invite you to enjoy simple dishes at affordable prices.

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To avoid

Avoid travelling by car in Papeete during rush hours due to the heavy traffic. Also avoid the rainy season, which runs from December to April (with the most rain falling in February).

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To try

Tahiti offers a great culinary diversity. French, Chinese, Tahitian and Italian food is usually on offer in the hotels with fresh fish as well as succulent meat from New Zealand. Le Carré, the ?gourmet' restaurant of the Méridien, offers bold ?fusion' cuisine in a very beautiful Asian setting that takes advantage of the high quality of the seafood products but also succulent meat from New Zealand and Australia. The Lotus, at the Intercontinental hotel, also offers a high-quality cuisine, cooked by a chef who has previously worked in a 3* Michelin restaurant.

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To bring back

Bring back some of the local gourmet products (jams of exotic fruits, vanilla) and paintings by local artists that can be found in charming art galleries. The islands are also known for their basketry and replicas of traditional wooden statues. For diehard fans of Polynesia: a tattoo.

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