TAHITI TRAVEL - The island of Tahiti and Papeete for Vacations or Honeymoon to Tahiti featuring all the Tahitian Islands with Beach Resorts and Over Water Bungalows

The Island of Tahiti

TAHITI and PAPEETE, the Capital City

Tahiti is the largest of the 118 islands and atolls that make up French Polynesia.
The 402 sq. miles of Tahiti's surface area consists of mountain peaks reaching over 7,353 ft into a lei of wispy clouds. The deep green valleys are covered with rainforests and soft ferns, with waterfalls cascading into cool rivers and streams leading to flat coastal land, with fields of taro and flowers.
Around Tahiti-Nui (big Tahiti), a 71 miles road winds between the mountains and the sea. And on the peninsula of Tahiti-Iti (little Tahiti) the road continues down each coast for 12 miles. An interior road leads past dairy farms and citrus groves to a panoramic view on the Plateau of Taravao -- the isthmus that connects the two islands.
Although the geography and environment of Tahiti is very attractive and comparable to the other islands, the large local population and all that implies doesn't make this island an ideal vacation destination for longer than a couple af days.

The other islands nearby (Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine) are peaceful oasis of beauty and romance far more suitable for vacations or honeymoons than Tahiti.

Tahiti, however, offers enough interesting excursions and sites to make it worth a short stay.
You can visit the Harrison Smith Botanical Gardens, learn something of the history of the islands at the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands, view the undersea world at the Lagoonarium and go to he Gauguin Museum were you'll see a displays of some of the artist's paintings. The museum is open everyday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Activities include golf at Tahiti's spectacular American designed championship golf course, island adventure tours , helicopter excursions , horseback riding , tennis , snorkeling , scuba diving , sailing , surfing , wind surfing , deep sea fishing ,water skiing and day trips to the atoll of Tetiaroa (Marlon Brando's) to name just a few.

Map of Tahiti | Travel Info

Papeete, the capital and commercial hub of French Polynesia, hosts the government offices, hospitals, banks, airline and travel agencies, boutiques and black pearl shops, etc..

The Central Market (Marché Central) is a must, located 1 block behind the waterfront. You will see traditional Tahitian crafts, flowers, fruits, fish, etc..

The waterfront is attractive, with a tree lined promenade along a marina with an international yachting community.
International cargo freighters, copra ships, luxury liners and sailing yachts share the harbor.

There are several excellent restaurants (this is a little France after all) with menus featuring French , Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese and American choices (there is now a MacDonald :-( , in addition to local specialties (upstairs in the Central Market, nice lunch fare with a local band - a popular place). Prices vary to fit just about any budget, starting at about US$12 for a main course.

If you are on a budget or want to get into some local color, there is also some good food to be had on the waterfront parking lot in the center of town. This is where, after 6 pm, you will find the "roulottes", about 2 dozen licensed food trucks offering a variety of inexpensive but fresh and well prepared dishes. This is funky dinning on hard stools amongst locals, tourists, airline crews etc..where the sights are almost as good as the food.
A busy small city, Papeete hums with happy sounds in a tropical atmosphere with French flavor and a Tahitian easygoing disposition.

The Main Hotels on Tahiti Island

The best hotels/resorts are located outside of Papeete, bordering the lagoon.

The Tahiti Intercontinental: Still the best five star resort, with a choice of rooms and overwater bungalows.
Le Meridien: A deluxe resort, 40 minutes outside of town, past the airport, with rooms and overwater bungalows.Upscale with a Euro design, and largest of all.
The Hilton: Located at the edge of town on the waterfront. Good choice of accommodation but no bungalows. A good quality/value ratio.
The Radisson: the newest hotel, located on the other side of town from the airport on a black sand beach. 5 star accommodation.
The Sofitel Maeva Beach: a 3/4 star hotel, all a/c rooms, conveniently located near the airport and 15 minute from town. An OK resort on the beach, good for overnight stays.
The Royal Tahitian: 2 stars, just outside of town opposite the airport on a black sand beach. A pleasant, smaller hotel with nice rooms at garden level. A swimming pool and beach side restaurant make this hotel a good value.
Le Mandarin: budget hotel in the heart of Papeete, Ok amenities and excellent location near the Market and the waterfront.

There are other small hotels in town, such as Prince Hinoi and Royal Papeete on the waterfront or Te Tiare.

Click to see a breathtaking VR panorama of Tahiti in hangliders' heaven (290K).

Tahiti Resources and Info

If you want to telephone to Tahiti, the country code is 689, before the numbers given here

TOURIST OFFICE

Fare Manihi, Pomare Blvd. (waterfront)
Tel: 50. 57. 00 / Fax: 43. 66. 19

Main Points of Interest
MARCHÉ CENTRAL - Central Market
CATHEDRALE NOTRE-DAME -Papeete
TEMPLE PAOFAI -Papeete
SAINT-ETIENNE CHURCH- Unaauia
SAINT-MICHEL CHURCH- Papara
BOTANICAL GARDEN - Motu ovini
HARRISSON SMITH GARDEN - Papeari
VALLEE DE LA FAUTAUA - Papeete
POINTE VENUS - Mahina
LAGOONARIUM - Punaauia

AIR TRANSPORTATION

Regular Inter-Island Airline Service:
AIR TAHITI - Aeroport de Faaa
Res. Tahiti - Tel. 86 42. 42 Fax. 86. 40. 69

Charter Flights:
AIR TAHITI / AIR MOOREA
Aeroport de Faaa Tel. 86. 40. 14/ Fax. 86. 40. 69
TAHITI CONQUEST AIRLINES
Aeroport de Faaa Tel. 85. 55. 54 / Fax.~85 55. 56
AIR OCEANIA TAHITI
Aeroport de Faaa Tel 82.10.47/Fax 82.10.34
WAN AIR - Aeroport de Faaa
Tel. 83. 57. 36/Fax. 82. 10. 34
AIR ALIZEE
Aeroport de Raiatea - Tel. 66. 10. 00/ Fax. 66. 10. Ol

Helicopter Service:
HELl PACIFIC - Faaa Airport - Tel. 85.68.00 Fax. 85.68.08
HELl-INTER POLYNESIE - Aeroport de Tahiti-Faaa
Tel. 81. 99. 00/ Fax. 81. 99. 99

MOOREA FERRY

(See MOOREA)

TAXI

AIRPORT - Tel. 83. 30. 07

CAR RENTALS

HERTZ RENT-A-CAR - TeI. 42.04.71/ Fax. 42.48 62
AVIS POLYNESIE - Tel. 42. 96. 49/ Fax. 41. 08. 47
PACIFICAR - Tel. 41. 93. 93/Fax. 42. 19. 11
ROBERT RENT-A-CAR -TeI. 42. 97. 20/ Fax. 42.63.00
EUROPCAR INTER-RENT -Tel. 45.24.24/Fax. 41.93. 41

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

SAFARI LOISIRS - Tel. 43.97.99 I Fax. 57.90.30
SAFARI TAHITI EXPEDITION -Tel. 42.14.15
ADVENTURE EAGLE TOURS - Tel. 41. 37. 63
TAHITI ATA MOU' A - Tel. 41. 99. 00
NAVE NAVE ADVENTURE TOURS- Tel/Fax 43.43.30
TEFAARAHI ADVENTURE TOURS Te I. 56.41.24 - Fax 56.31.91

MUSEUM

MUSEE PAUL GAUGUIN - Papeari
Tel. 57. 10.58 /Fax. 57. 10.42
MUSEE DE TAHITI ET SES ILES - Punaauia
Tel: 58.34.76 /Fax. 58.43.00
MUSEE DU COQUILLAGE - Papara
Tel. 57. 45. 22 / Fax. 57. 37. 78
MUSEE DE LA PERLE NOIRE - Papeete
TeL. 50.53. 10/Fax. 43.49.01

ART GALLERIES

WINKLER - Rue Jeanne d' Arc PPT - Tel. 42. 81. 77
REVA REVA - Rue Lagarde PPT- Tel. 43. 32. 67
ETIENNE SIQUIN - Avenue du Pnnce Hinoi PPT
Tel. 42.09.81
NOA NOA - Boulevard Pomare PPT Tel. 42.73.47
MATAMUA - Boulevard Pomare PPT
TeI.41 .34.95
LES TROPIQUES - Rue Cook PPT Tel. 41.05.00
OVIRI - Mairie de Punaauia - Tel. 45.04.04
O TAHITI NUl - Punaauia - Tel. 58.40.99
TIAMA' 0 - Papara - TeI. 57. 34. 82
HALVERSEN - Taravao - Te I. 57.72.56

HIKING EXCURSIONS

PRESQU' ILE LOISIRS - Tel. 57. 00. 57
LE CIRCUIT VERT - Tel. 57. 22. 67
TAHITI SPECIAL EXCURSIONS
Tel. I Fax. 43. 72. 01
TE ROO NUl 0 TE PARI HONOURA
Tel. 42. 80. 19 1 57. 19. 56
TE FETIA 0 TE MAU MATO Tel. 42. 84. 82

GOLF

GOLF INTERNATIONAL OLIVIER BREAUD - Mataiea
Tel. 57. 40. 32/ 57. 43. 41/ Fax. 57. 49. 68

TENNIS

TENNIS CLUB DE FAUTAUA Fautaua PPT Tel. 42. 00. 59 1 42. 38. 66
AS FEl PI SECTION TENNIS - Awe - Tel. 42. 53.87/41. 95.92
CLUB EXCELSIOR SECTION TENNIS
Quartier de Ia Mission PPT- Tel. 43. 91. 46 I 45. 18. 17
TENNIS CLUB CHON WA Mamao PPT- Tel. 42. 01. 31
CLUB A.S DRAGON SECTION TENNIS Titioro PPT Tel. 43.31.12/43.74.94
CLUB A.S. PHOENIX SECTION TENNIS Punaauia Tel. 82. 35. 56 1 42. 96. 41
TENNIS CLUB J.t Pirae - TeI. 45. 13. 14/43. 80. 83
TENNIS CLUB RAUTEA - Faaa - Tel. 81. 90. 08 1 43. 32. 72

SOUASH

HoteI Matava PPT - Tel. 42.67.67/ Fax. 42.36.90

HORSE BACK RIDING

CLUB EQUESTRE OF TAHITI - Hippodrome de Pirae Tel. 42. 70. 41
L' EPERON DE PIRAE - Hippodrome de Pirae Tel. 42. 79. 87/ Fax. 45. 14. 51
PONEY CLUB DE TAHITI - Hippodrome de Pirae Tel. 43. 49. 29
RANCH LE CENTAURE - Papeari - Tel. 57.70.77

PARA SAILING

AIR EVASION - Tel. 58. 22. 88 I Fax. 43. 72. 01
SAFARI TAHITI PARAPENTE - Te. 58.26.12/ Fax. 58. 26. 12

MOUNTAIN SAFARI EXCURSIONS

SAFARI LOISIRS - Tel. 43.97.99 I Fax. 57.90.30
SAFARI TAHITI EXPEDITION -Tel. 42.14.15
ADVENTURE EAGLE TOURS - Tel. 41. 37. 63
TAHITI ATA MOU' A - Tel. 41. 99. 00
NAVE NAVE ADVENTURE TOURS- Te~VFax 43.43.30
TEFAARAHI ADVENTURE TOURS Te I. 56.41.24 - Fax 56.31.91

YACHT CHARTERS

TAHITI YACHT CHARTER - Boulevard Pomare PPT
Tel. 45. 04. 00 / Fax. 42. 76. 00
DUFOUR TAHITI NPM YACHT CHARTER
Boulevard Pomare PPT - Tel. 43. 39. 79 / Fax. 43. 39. 78
JET FRANCE - Boulevard Poamre PPT Tel. 56. 25. 62
ENJOY - HoteI Tahiti Beachcomber Parkroyal
Tel. 86. 51. 10/ 45. 59. 37/ Fax. 42. 18. 88
RAG DOLL - Mers et Loisirs Papeete - Te I. 53.43.83/42.69.63

Charter Cruises
AREMITI I - Mers et Loisirs PPT - TeI. 42.88.88/ Fax 45.27.58
POT TERE I - Boulevard Pomare PPT - Tel. 77.77.70 Fax. 43.66.05

Marinas
MARINA TAINA - Tel. 41. 02. 25 1 Fax. 45. 27. 58
MARINA DU COMPTOIR MARINE Fare Ute
Tel. 42. 80. 27/ Fax. 42. 24. 41

DEEP SEA FISHING

NAPUKA - Marina Taina Punaauia
Tel. 42.18.34/ 41.02.27 / Fax. 45.27.58
MISS HINANO - Marina Taina Punaauia
Tel. 41 02 25/ 42. 67. 52/ Fax. 45. 27. 58
ROSTER - Marina Fare Ute
Tel. 41. 02. 54/ 43. 05. 78/ Fax. 45. 27. 58
TEA NUl - Baie de Cook Moorea
Tel. 42. 75. 42/ 56. 15. 08/ Fax. 45. 27. 58
TEHITIRERE - Arue
Tel. 42.04.15 / Fax. 45.25.58 / 43.59.21
TEVAITE - Marina Taina Punaauia
Tel. 42. 58. 23 / Fax. 45. 27. 58
LElANA III - Tel. 41.02.25 Fax 45.27.58
HAKA NUl - Marina Taina Punaauia
Tel. 41. 02. 25 / Fax. 45. 27. 58
TEANUATA - Punaauia - Tel. 41.02.25 /Fax. 45.27.58
RAIHAUTUA - Boulevard Pomare PPT
Tel. 41.02.25/Fax. 45.27.58
HOREA - Marina Taina Punaauia
Tel. 41.02.25 / Fax 45.27.58
TAHITIAN INTERNATIONAL BILLFISH TOURNMENT
Tel. 43.19.00 / Fax. 43.28.45

MISC. WATER ACTIVITIES

SCUBA DIVING CENTER
YACHT CLUB DIVING CENTER
Yacht Club d' Arue Tel. 42. 23. 55 Fax. 42. 37. 07
TAHITI AQUATIC MAEVA
Hotel Sotitel Maeva Beach - Tel. / Fax. 41. 08. 54
TAHITI PLONGEE - P.K. 7,500 - Punaauia
Tel. 41. 00. 62/ 43. 62. 51/ Fax. 42. 26. 06
TAHITI CHARTER ISLAND
Hotel Tahiti Tel. 45.28.12/45.07.75 - Fax 45.28.12
TAHITI AQUATIC BEACHCOMBER
Hotel Tahiti Beachcomber Parkroyal -Tel. 86.51.10 Ext. 5610 Fax. 86.51.30
COWAN PLONGEE - Arue
Tel. 46.32.78/ 43.08.15 / Fax. 42.14.09
TA' ITUA PLONGEE - Taravao - Tel. 57. 77. 93 / 57. 77. 98

Misc. Nautical Activities
SURFING SCHOOL - Papeete Phone / Fax: 41 91 37
YACHT CLUB D' ARUE - Arue
Tel. 42.78.03 / Fax. 42.37.07
HOTEL TAHITI BEACHCOMBER PARKROYAL - Punaauia - Tel. 86. 51. 10/Fax. 86.51.30
HOTEL SOFITEL MAEVA BEACH - Punaauia
Tel. 42. 80. 42/ Fax. 41. 08. 54
WATER SKI CLUB DE TAHITI Punaauia
Tel. 42. 10. 38

RESORT HOTELS

For a complete description - with photos - of our selection of hotels, please go to our Hotel Page.

NON CLASSIFIED
SMALL HOTELS

MAHINA TEA - Papeete - Tel: 42. 00. 97
SHOGUN - Papeete - TeI: 43.13.93/Fax 43.27.28
PAPARA VILLAGE - Papara - TeI: 57.41.41/57.79.00
RELAIS DE LA MAROTO - Mataiea
Tel. 43.97.99 / 57.90.29 / Fax. 57.90. 30
TE ANUANUA - Pueu - Tel. / Fax. 57. 12. 54

LODGING
WITH PRIVATE
FAMILIES

LES BOUGAINVILLEES - Paea - Tel. / Fax. 53. 28. 02
MEHERlO - Vairao - Tel. 57. 74. 31
TEAMO - Papeete - Tel. 42.00.35/ 42.47.26/ Fax. 43.56.95
TAHITI BUDGET LODGE - Papeete
Tel. 42.66.82/ Fax. 43.06. 79
CHEZ MYRNA - Papeete -Tel. 42. 64. 11
HEITIARE INN - Faaa -Tel. 83. 33. 52/82. 77. 53
CHEZ FIFI - Faaa - Tel. 82. 63. 30
CHEZ VA' A - Punaauia - Tel. 42. 94. 32
CHEZ ARMELLE - Punaauia -
Tel. 58. 42. 43/ Fax. 58. 42. 81
LE BELLEVUE - Punaauia - Tel. / Fax. 58. 47. 04
FARE OPUHI ROTI - Paea - Tel. 53. 20.26
HITI MOANA VILLA - Papara
Tel. 57. 93. 93/ Fax. 57 94 44
FARE NANA' 0 - Faaone - Tel. 57. 18. 14/Fax. 57. 16. 10

CHEZ LOLA - Faaa - Tel. 81.91.75

1 800 747 9997

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