The emblematic one
Vacations in Polynesia start in Tahiti, the only island with an international airport, built in 1960. Tahiti's capital, Papeete, is home to most of Polynesia's economic activity, as well as the famous Papeete Market, which is well worth exploring.
Baptized the “New Kythera” by Bougainville, the island offers a marked duality between modernity and tradition. The more you explore the lush valleys, the more obvious this duality becomes. Tahiti's rivers, waterfalls, valleys and mountains retain an inalterable charm.
Tahiti, home to Polynesia's highest peak, the Orohena, offers splendid hikes guided by professionals with a passion for Polynesian nature.
The Three Waterfalls of Tiarei and the magnificent Lake Vaihiria reveal the full splendor of the island. The Papeno'o Valley, the largest in Tahiti and Polynesia, is home to many natural treasures, including the Vaitu'oru River and spectacular waterfalls.
Hikes to Te Pari, a unique natural formation on the Tahitian peninsula, reveal an exceptional natural environment. The Vaipahi and Harrison Smith gardens, accessible by car, highlight the island's botanical assets.
Beaches such as Pointe Vénus, with its black sand, are ideal for relaxation or water sports. Every year, between August and October, whales and their calves can be admired in Polynesian waters.
Tahiti's history lives on in sites such as Marae Arahurahu, an altar dedicated to ancestral divinities.
The Papeno'o valley, the subject of several years of archaeological excavation and restoration, reveals vestiges such as marae, housing sites and agricultural cultivation areas.
The home of James Norman Hall, author of The Mutineers of the Bounty, has been converted into a museum for literary enthusiasts.
The Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands traces the history of Polynesia, from its origins to today. Finally, the Black Pearl Museum, inaugurated in 1998, tells the story of this "black gold" through the arts, legends and techniques of pearl culture.
Tahiti, rich in surprises, offers a fascinating foretaste of what the whole of Polynesia has to offer.
