Idyllic Islands of Tahiti

The Islands of Tahiti has been named the Best Overall Destination in the 2020 Travvy Awards.

From hiking through jungles to diving with a wall of sharks, or just lazing on a beach looking out to the impossibly turquoise lagoons, the 118 islands that make up Tahiti offer an incredibly diverse array of activities and you can see why this amazing destination continues to ignite imaginations - and travel bookings - around the world.

With accommodation options ranging from guesthouses run by local families to yacht charters, to of course romantic overwater bungalows and even camping, the islands truly do cater to every type of traveller.

Things you may not know

You travel back in time: The Islands of Tahiti are 21 hours behind AEST, which means you arrive in Tahiti the day before you left Australia.

You’ll experience the magic of Mana: Mana is the energy and healing power that exists in people, places and objects, it’s a magical life force that surrounds The Islands of Tahiti.

Your home away from home: Locals and residents on The Islands of Tahiti are always pleased to meet visitors. They greet everyone as though they are extended family – with a contagious smile and warm welcome.

Learn the basics: While many locals can speak English, it’s always received well if pleasantries are spoken in Tahitian. Ia orana (yo-rah-nah) means hello, and Mauruuru (nah-roo-roo) means thank you.

Feast where the locals do: Local delicacies can be found in most cafes and restaurants, both standalone or within hotels. To get the most authentic Tahitian experience, first-time visitors need to visit the Papeete Roulottes.

It won’t cost as much as you think: Tahiti can be very affordable. Groceries are priced similarly to here in Australia, and beer is often cheaper!

118 islands, 1000s of activities: From swimming with whales, to seeing the black pearl farms, exploring the raw landscape and highest waterfall in the Pacific, or relaxing on the white sand beaches with aqua blue waters, there’s truly something for every preference.

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First-timers guide to The Islands of Tahiti

While it’s always exciting to be visiting a new destination, sometimes it can be a little unnerving if you are not familiar with the surroundings and the people. In The Islands of Tahiti, locals want the experience to be as welcoming and as easy as possible for visitors, so Tahiti Tourisme has compiled a list of things to know for those returning in 2020 or travelling to paradise for the very first time.

You travel back in time

The Islands of Tahiti are 21 hours behind AEST, which means you arrive in Tahiti the day before you left Australia. If you leave home on a Tuesday, make sure you book your first night’s accommodation for the Monday - otherwise you may get a fright when you turn up at reception to discover you don’t have a booking!

Magic of Mana

Apart from being greeted with a huge smile and a lei when you land at Faa’a International Airport, you will likely feel a wave of energy - this is the feeling of being embraced by Mana. Mana is the energy and healing power that exists in people, places and objects, it’s a magical life force that surrounds The Islands of Tahiti.

Haapii i te reo – Learn the language

French and Tahitian are the most widely spoken languages within The Islands of Tahiti. While many locals can also speak English, it’s always received well if pleasantries are spoken in Tahitian. A few basic phrases that will impress locals include:

Ia orana (yo-rah-nah) - Hello

Mauruuru (mah-roo-roo) - Thank you

E (ay) - Yes

Aita (eye-tah) - No

Nana (nah-nah) - Bye

Feast like a local

Local delicacies can be found in most cafes and restaurants, both standalone or within hotels. To get the most authentic Tahitian experience, first-time visitors need to visit the Papeete Roulottes. With a wide selection of food from poisson cru, to steak frites and crepes, tourists and locals alike love these traditional food trucks. If you need to quench your thirst, a Mai Tai cocktail is always a good idea too!

Go luxe, or go camping

From five star resorts to pensions (guest houses), overwater bungalows to campsites, sailing boats to cruises, The Islands of Tahiti can be experienced in a variety of ways. Accommodation is an important part of a vacation, so make sure you find the best one for your price range.

It won’t cost as much as you think

Tahiti can be very affordable. Groceries are priced similarly to here in Australia, and beer is often cheaper! If you are staying in a hotel, most of your costs can be charged to a room, and if you have pre-booked excursions the cost will be taken from your nominated account. For daily spending, whether that’s shopping, meals or spontaneous activities make sure you have cash. Either withdraw local currency (French Pacific Franc) before your holiday, or exchange in Papeete once you have arrived because most islands can’t accept card payments.

118 islands, 1000s of activities

There is plenty to do and see both on land and in water within The Islands of Tahiti, so make sure you explore both! From swimming with whales off Rurutu, to seeing the black pearl farms on Manihi, the raw landscape and highest waterfall in the Pacific on Nuku Hiva, or the white sand beaches and aqua blue waters of Tetiaroa, there’s truly something for every preference. You can also discover ancient marae and visit wildlife sanctuaries, while kayaking and jet skiing are a beautiful way to see The Islands from the water. Snorkeling, diving and surfing offer a truly stunning experience too. There really are activities for everyone, from the smallest members of the family, right through to the oldest.

Your home away from home

Locals and residents on The Islands of Tahiti are always pleased to meet visitors. They greet everyone as though they are extended family – with a contagious smile and warm welcome. This warm nature and inclusivity also translates to their love of love. A fabulous destination for weddings and honeymoons, The Islands of Tahiti welcome all types of couples, and with same-sex marriage being legal for over six years, it’s a popular wedding location for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Unexpected facts

Along with the abundance of activities, wide range of accommodation, beautiful people and picturesque scenery, there also some really fun facts about Tahiti that many first time travellers don’t know:

The word tattoo or ‘tatau’ originated from The Islands of Tahiti. In Tahitian culture, tattoos are considered a sign of beauty and traditionally they were applied in ceremonies to symbolise reaching adolescence.

There are no poisonous snakes or insects in French Polynesia. As if Tahiti isn’t paradise enough already, this is one destination where dangerous creatures don’t need to be added to your list of things to worry about. The Islands’ remote and water-bound location means that there is no easy way for animals to migrate there.

There are boxes outside the homes of Tahitian residents that are often mistaken for mailboxes. These boxes are actually for French bread deliveries! Like we needed another reason to want to move there.

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