French Polynesia, Society Islands, Windward Islands, Tahiti Island, Papenoo

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Around Tahiti Nui

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • French Polynesia, Society Islands, Windward Islands, Tahiti Island, Papenoo

    Papenoo

    Around Tahiti Nui

    There’s a popular surf break just before the headland that signals the start of the small village of Papenoo. A long bridge crosses the Papenoo River at…

  • Pointe Vénus & Matavai Bay

    Pointe Vénus & Matavai Bay

    Around Tahiti Nui

    Part of Captain Cook’s mission on his three-month sojourn in 1769 was to record the transit of Venus across the face of the sun in an attempt to calculate…

  • Bain de Vaima & Vaipahi Spring Gardens

    Bain de Vaima & Vaipahi Spring Gardens

    Around Tahiti Nui

    Bain de Vaima (Vaima Pool) is where locals come from all over to bathe in the icy but exceptionally clear waters that are thought to have healing…

  • Taravao

    Taravao

    Around Tahiti Nui

    Strategically situated at the narrow isthmus connecting Tahiti Nui with Tahiti Iti, the town of Taravao has been a military base on and off since 1844,…

  • Faarumai Waterfalls

    Faarumai Waterfalls

    Around Tahiti Nui

    Through the village of Tiarei where the road swoops around a black-sand beach, you’ll see a sign on the mountain side of the road for the exceedingly high…

  • Jardins Botaniques

    Jardins Botaniques

    Around Tahiti Nui

    The 137-hectare Jardins Botaniques has walking paths that wind their way through the garden past ponds, palms, a massive banyan tree and a superb mape…

  • Marae Mahaiatea

    Marae Mahaiatea

    Around Tahiti Nui

    Just east of the village of Papara, the Marae Mahaiatea was the most magnificent marae on Tahiti at the time of Cook’s first visit (according to Cook it…

  • Musée Gauguin

    Musée Gauguin

    Around Tahiti Nui

    This museum has been closed for years but hopefully it will reopen during the life of this book. The airy site surrounded by lush foliage is lovely, and…

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