Places to visit

With its remarkable combination of natural wonders and man-made landmarks, Tahiti is a sightseer’s paradise. The island brims with must-see landmarks.

Harrison W. Smith Botanical Garden

Teeming with footpaths where visitors can view its acres of well-cultivated plants, the Botanical Gardens of Papeari feature bamboo, bananas, palms, hibiscus and mapes (an indigenous chestnut tree). The Gardens are a testament to the work of American botanist Harrison Smith, who moved to Tahiti in 1919 to set up the vast garden on his 137-hectare Motu Ovini estate.

Bougainville Park

Relax in the shade of the massive banyan tree at Tahiti’s Bougainville Park. Named in honor of the french explorer and navigator, Louis Antoine de Bougainville (1729-1811), this scenic park is lined with concrete benches where visitors can relax in the shade of a huge banyan tree.

Cathedral of Notre Dame of Papeete

Located in the center of Papeete, the majestic Cathedral of Notre Dame is one of Tahiti’s most awe-inspiring structures. The exterior’s modest grey facade is offset by a red-tiled spire. Indoors, the church features gorgeous original stained glass dating back to 1875.

Vaihiria River & Vaihiria Lake

Tahiti’s only real lake, Vaihiria is a vast reservoir for rain and the river water that plunges down the outer wall of the Papenoo crater. Surrounded by luxuriant, green mountains, the Vaihiria Lake area is popular for its large eels and nearby banana plantations.

Maraa Fern Grotto

These fern-covered caverns have become a must-see destination for Tahiti visitors. The site actually features three grottos - yawning holes in the cliff with shallow pools of water inside. The lush, emerald vegetation hangs over Paroa Grotto (”great wall”) like so many stalactites. The grotto gives the optical illusion of being smaller than it actually is.

Musee de Coquillages (Museum of Seashells)

Both collectors and the curious will enjoy a visit to this unique museum housed inside a handsome, white colonial-style building. The museum also features a gift shop which sells quality crafts, including woven baskets, hats, and hand-made purses.

Musee de Tahiti et ses Isles (Museum of Tahiti and her islands)

A visit to Tahiti would be incomplete without a stop to the Musee’ de Tahiti, which has been judged one of the finest and most modern museums in the South Pacific. Founded in 1978, the museum features a broad range of exhibits on Tahitian culture, history and geology. Visit the Exhibition Building and enjoy the museum’s superlative collection of paintings, prints and sculptures.

Paul Gauguin’s Home & Mataiea Village

Painter Paul Gauguin (1848 -1903) is world renowned for his earth-hued portraits of Tahiti and its natives. Located in Punaauia, just south of Papeete, visit the home where the famed painter created some his most famous masterpieces. Art lovers will also want to visit the hut at Mataiea Village, where Gauguin created more masterworks.

Gauguin Museum

Dedicated to the work of Paul Gauguin, the Gauguin Museum is situated in a contemporary, Japanese-style building just opposite the Botanical Gardens of Papeari.

The facility features exhibits and memorabilia from the late painter himself, including sketches, documents (mostly in facsimile), block prints, reproductions and a handful of original creations.

Vaima Center

With its heavy concentration of businesses and services, Vaima Center is one of the main nerve centers of Tahiti. Situated directly across the waterfront, this four-level, block-square shopping center has everything from airline bureaus, banks and boutiques, to book stores, travel agencies and restaurants.

Pearl Museum

Located in the heart of downtown Papeete, in the Vaima shopping center, the Robert Wan Pearl Museum is dedicated specifically to pearls.

Here, you will gain a full perspective into the world of pearls. From historical times to the present day, you will learn of the pearl and its relation to art, religion, mythology and even to the lives of such important figures as Christopher Columbus, The Queen of England and The Pope.

The museum is open Mon.-Sat. 8am-7pm and on Sundays from 9am-7pm.

James Norman Hall Home

The James Norman Hall home, situated in Arue, a few kilometers from Papeete, looks out northwards to the famous Matavai Bay where Cook first landed in 1769. Visitors may walk around Mama Lala’s magnificent garden or relax under the terraced mango tree enjoying fresh beverages and local Tahitian pastry from the family kitchen, now a coffee and tea room.