PAPEETE · FRENCH POLYNESIA
The tours and day trips worth booking.
The 15 top-rated things to do in Papeete — the boat trips, beach days, volcano hikes and old-town wanders worth building a day around, with real prices and who to book each one with.
A 5-hour West and East Coast Tahiti loop from Papeete: marae, black-sand beaches, grottos, gardens, waterfalls, and Pointe Venus.
Most Popular“Relaxing and informative for overview of larger island , easy pace , receptive to questions and personable”
Eat your way across Moorea’s north coast on a small-group street food tour with 6–8 tastings, local guides, and hotel pickup.
“Wonderful food tour! Heimata has a lot of local food knowledge that he's excited to share. All the local foods were delicious. I got to try and taste so many different things I would not have known about. I'm glad I did it at the beginning of my stay so I can eat some things…”
East Coast Tahiti half-day in a small group with pickup, Mercedes comfort, live guide commentary, waterfalls, blowholes, and black-sand bays.
“We really enjoyed Tracey’s insight as an expat living in Tahiti. She curated a tour that encompassed important physical locations not to be missed and local village life that would not be included on other tours.”
A small-group west coast Tahiti tour from Papeete with marae ruins, black sand beaches, caves, gardens, a church, and Monoi making.
“What a fantastic afternoon. Roni was a fantastic guide and the vehicle perfect for the tour. We saw and learnt about many aspects of Tahitian life and history. The tour was at a relaxed pace, but we saw so much.”
Walk under the sea in Moorea with a yellow helmet, guided by pros. See stingrays and colorful fish, with pickup and small groups.
“Being fully submerged without having to be a diver was such a joy!! We had a very playful ray with us the entire time. Loved every minute.”
A long, early catamaran day to Tetiaroa for a private-feeling island visit, guided Bird Island walk, great meals, and reef snorkeling.
“I loved the island, the guides were great! Although, they didn’t speak much English so it was hard to get the full details. The catamaran they used was a smaller one because they had 2 tours that day. It took 4 hours each way, which I think is too much for one day. The journey…”
A small-group West Coast Tahiti day to Teahupoo, with black-sand beaches, waterfalls, marae temples, and an Olympic surf boat option.
“Disappointed that the tour fell on a federal holiday with a few of the scheduled activities not being able to take place. We should have been alerted to the fact. Also Tracey took it upon herself not even to offer up the boat ride as she felt the water was too flat. We should have…”
Private Tahiti island tour from Papeete: Point Venus, Faarumai Falls, Arahoho Blowhole, Vaipahi gardens with pickup and AC comfort.
“We thought that the trip was excellent. Bertrand was a delight very informative and very knowledgeable. It was delightful way to see the east and west of Tahiti.”
Private 5-hour Tahiti circle tour with waterfalls, grottos, sacred marae, Point Venus, and black sand views, in an air-conditioned van.
“Angele was a great guide! She showed us so much of the island and told us some of the history. She knew the island of Tahiti like the back of her hand.”
Private door-to-door transfer in Tahiti: meet your driver after customs, A/C minivan, cold water, and a flower or shell garland.
“Very prompt and professional. Spacious vehicle that was clean and comfortable. Guide was knowledgeable and friendly.”
Shared shuttle from Tahiti Faa'a Airport to Papeete hotels, cruise port or ferry pier. Lei greeting, voucher pickup, comfort, simple pricing.
“Our driver was pleasant, and we were greeted by smiling women with fresh floral lei necklaces. It was a good experience.”
Private half-day Tahiti circle island tour from Papeete with pickup, flexible timing, and major sights like Marae, caves, falls, and Point Venus.
“Yota is enthusiastic, thoughtful and knowledgeable. He gave us a great tour around the island, shared lots of history and stories, and tailored things to our preferences. We had a wonderful day seeing many sights of Tahiti. We especially loved seeing the long-tailed white birds flying around the waterfall. So lucky. I also want to…”
A 4WD mountain loop plus a lagoon cruise to spot stingrays and black-tip reef sharks, with lunch on Bora Bora.
“Super activité. Les guides étaient au top, le seul petit bémol et le restaurant du midi.”
Half-day Tahiti Nui tour from Papeete: Pointe Venus, waterfalls, marae temples, gardens and Maraa Grotto, with snacks, WiFi, and local surprises.
“We had three days in Tahiti before starting our Aranui cruise. Realized it would be nice to see more of Tahiti than the resort and Papeete so booked this a day after arriving. This tour had availability - which turned out great for us. We were Read more”
2-hour Papeete walk with Pauline: Bougainville Park, Cathedral, market and town hall. Pickup at Tahiti Tourisme. $58.
“Very wet. It rained but our guide persevered She was great. .”
Every archipelago, and the best of each island in it.
