It’s no secret that Tahiti is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. With crystal blue lagoons perfect for snorkeling, dramatic mountain scenery to explore, and some of the best French cuisine outside of France, there are more than 21 things to do in Tahiti, and these are some of the best.
1. Explore the lagoon with a glass kayak
Tahiti is known for having some of the world’s best opportunities to experience marine wildlife, much of which can be found in the shallow lagoons that surround Tahiti’s islands. One of the most unique activities to do in Tahiti is to climb aboard a glass kayak and enjoy the clear views below from the water.
Try: Lagoon Explorer Moorea
2. Snorkel in the coral garden
After my first few snorkeling experiences in places like Australia, Fiji and the Maldives, I knew nothing could ever replace these experiences. But Le Taha’a Island Resort’s Coral Garden offers a unique experience as you float along the stream through a stunning coral garden filled with tropical fish of every color imaginable.
Try it: Coral Garden at Le Tahaa Island Resort
3. Stay in an overwater bungalow
One of Tahiti’s greatest attractions and most iconic experiences is checking into an overwater bungalow and enjoying the opportunity to wake up each morning with the ocean beckoning you outside your window. Bora Bora is the most famous destination for overwater bungalows, but you’ll be spoiled for choice with bungalows all over the islands of Tahiti.
Accommodation: Le Tahaa Island Resort
4. Set sail on a catamaran
If you’re looking for something more special and private, or want to join a group of friends on an island-hopping adventure, chartering a yacht is the most classic way to experience and explore the islands of Tahiti at your leisure. Although we only had one day of sailing time, we recommend spending at least 6-10 days aboard your yacht sailing between your chosen islands and experiencing Tahiti from the sea.
Book: Tahiti Yacht Charter
5. See Tahiti from above on a chartered seaplane
One of the best ways to get a bird’s-eye view of your surroundings is to get a bird’s-eye view, and there’s no better way to do that in Tahiti than by hopping on a seaplane to see the islands from above. Your flight will pick you up at your resort and tour the surrounding area. This gives you even more coverage of the surrounding area and gives you a unique perspective.
Book: Tahiti Air Charter
6. Stand up paddle board
Although Tahiti offers many experiences (skydiving, chartered yachts, seaplanes, etc.), some of our favorite activities were the simplest, like renting a stand-up paddleboard from the resort and paddling around the resort in search of new perspectives.
Try: InterContinental Moorea
7. Encounters with sharks and rays
Jumping into the water with so many sharks and rays around the boat was a bit nerve-wracking (to say the least), but we had booked a “shark and ray encounter” so that should have been expected. These beautiful creatures are often mistaken for being dangerous, but with so much food nearby, there was little to no chance of being bitten (although I’d like to think not). This was one of my favorite marine wildlife encounters, especially since it’s a wild place where these beautiful animals live.
Tours include: Te Moana Tours (Moorea private and group tours)
8. Watch the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean
Before coming to Tahiti, I had high hopes for a beautifully illuminated sunset with the sky dancing in vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange. Sunrises are just as amazing, and little did we know that they would be even more amazing on our trip.
Where to stay: InterContinental Moorea Overwater Bungalow
9. Aoki Mountain Hiking
My bucket list for Tahiti was to hike to the top of the amazing Ao Rai Mountain. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas (extreme ideas aside) and hiking to the top was not an option during our stay in Papeete. But if hiking is your thing, this has to be one of the most iconic climbs in the South Pacific.
Try: Hiking Mount Ao Lai in Papeete
10. Taste local cuisine
One of my favorite features of Tahiti is the food. Ah, food! There’s a lot to be said about Tahitian food, which combines French influences and cooking techniques with fresh island ingredients. Some of my best dining experiences have been on the road at local food trucks, but restaurants certainly hold their own. In fact, I think it’s hard to say that I had a bad dining experience in Tahiti.
Try it: Anywhere in Tahiti, on the roadside!
11. Breakfast arrives by canoe
One morning in Moorea, we woke up to the sound of breakfast arriving by canoe at the front door of our overwater bungalow. If you’re visiting Tahiti for your honeymoon, there’s probably nothing more romantic than this.
Try: InterContinental Moorea
12. Chase the waterfall
If you’re arriving in Tahiti from overseas, you’ll likely need a one- or two-night layover in Papeete before heading to destinations like Bora Bora or Moorea. If you’re feeling adventurous, Papeete has plenty of great hiking trails to waterfalls and beautiful beaches for a more local feel.
Try: Papeete, Tahiti
13. Bike around Moorea Island
Our other simple activity was probably my favorite few hours of the entire trip (I would even go so far as to say it was). Moorea is the perfect island for the more adventurous traveler who wants to explore the Tahitian lifestyle on their own watch, and cycling around the island was just the best way to do it.
14. Take a private boat tour
If a yacht charter is a little out of your budget, you’ll be happy to know that you can also take a more affordable route by chartering a small boat for the day to see the highlights, get out on the water, and experience marine wildlife with snorkeling and diving as a daily activity.
Try: Te Moana Tour
15. Skydiving
One of the most exciting activities while in Tahiti was going skydiving in Mo’orea (Tahiti’s adventure capital). But the weather gods had other ideas for us that day. If you have the chance to visit on a sunny day, or during the dry season, it’s a great way to see the islands from above if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush.
Try: Skydiving Tahiti
16. Spend time with the locals
Another one of my favorite activities was from a previous visit to Tahiti, and it still stands out in my memories of the islands. It was about spending time with the locals of Moorea and learning about their culture and history. Tahiti has to be one of the happiest countries on earth. There are so many wonderful people who will be happy to welcome you to the island and share their history with you.
Try: Tiki Village Moorea
17. Ride an ATV to the mountains
My previous trip to Tahiti remains one of my fondest memories, but riding an ATV into the rainy mountains of Moorea was a very unique way to spend a day from the water with views of the heart of the island.
Try: ATV Moorea Tour
18. Learn about Tahitian culture and traditions
One of the most fascinating aspects of Polynesia to me is the cultural differences and similarities across the region. Before my visit, I didn’t know that the word tattoo came from French Polynesia, and I wasn’t familiar with Tahitian dance moves (lol).
Try: Tiki Village Moorea
19. Enjoy your own island
Our favorite resort on this trip was the locally owned Le Tahaa Island Resort, located off the coast of Tahaa Island and home to a Tahitian vanilla bean farm. Here we were able to enjoy a private island vacation, and due to the size of the island, it felt like we almost always had the entire place to ourselves.
Check-in: Le Tahaa Island Resort
20. Visit Tahiti’s black sand beaches
Tahiti’s iconic black sand beaches are carved out of the color of volcanic rock and offer a unique beach experience like no other. Local beaches offer countless activities, and you’ll find plenty of locals surfing, boarding, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking nearby.
Try: Papeete’s Black Sand Beach
21. Milky Way experience
And finally, one of my favorite nights of the trip was lying in our overwater bungalow and enjoying the natural light show above. Luckily, my friend Abe knew (much) more about astronomy than I did, so I was able to relax and learn about the solar system we occupy and our place in it…not a bad way to end the night!