Your bucket list for your trip in The Islands of Tahiti
"Bucket list" is the Anglo-Saxon term for the imperative things to do during our life. If you had to fulfill only 10 dreams in your life, coming to Tahiti is one of them. And if you had to accomplish 10 in Tahiti and the Polynesian islands, then allow me to recommend these experiences. So, what is there to do in Tahiti and in the other islands of French Polynesia? Culture, beaches, and adventure… Here is your guide for the top must-do activities to make the most of your stay in French Polynesia!
Sleeping a night in a hotel above the lagoon
Did you know? While the term "bungalow" is of Anglo-Indian origin and lake cities have existed for millennia, the overwater bungalow was born in French Polynesia. Nothing beats the charm of a night above the lagoon: falling asleep to the murmur of the lapping water, waking up with a dive into the turquoise waters. Irresistible.
Try to book at least one night at one of these hotels to enjoy this wonderful experience for a day, just steps from the beach... a perfect setting for couples on a romantic getaway. You'll find overwater bungalows on many Polynesian islands: Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine… Check out our hotel and resort vacation packages for a trip at the best price.
Flying over Bora Bora and Tupai by helicopter
Experience a flight with Tahiti Nui Helicopters. Smooth vertical takeoff. The runway gradually recedes, as the lagoon and then the ocean stretch as far as the eye can see.
The pale sands reflecting the sky give the water that unreal color. Everywhere, the beauty fills the space of the Pearl of the Pacific, in a harmony rarely observed.
Leaving the island to the north, we approach a heart laid upon the ocean: the atoll of Tupai. It is the most romantic island in French Polynesia.
Seeing a pearl oyster grafted in the Gambier
It's more of an initiation than a trip, to go to Mangareva in the Gambier Archipelago, one of the last islands to the east before Pitcairn and Rapa Nui.
The Gambier ecosystem is a gift for the breeding of local pearl oysters, whose pearls raised here are among the most beautiful in French Polynesia. Take a day to tour the island and the lagoon and discover the secrets of the Tahitian black pearl, the beautiful local gem.
Dancing with the whales
French Polynesia is a sanctuary for whales. Between June and October, they gradually leave the waters of Antarctica to head north.
In the Society Islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Taha’a, Bora Bora, etc.), tourist operators organize whale watching tours to listen to their song or to get into the water nearby.
Never seek contact with the animal, do not stress it, especially since the mothers are often with their calf. Just enjoy this perfect moment of grace. To learn more about responsible whale watching, check out all the travel tips provided by Agnès Benet, a Ph.D. in marine biology and Air Tahiti Nui Ambassador.
Diving into a wall of sharks
If you love adventure and nature, scuba diving will, of course, be one of the must-do activities on your trip to The Islands of Tahiti. Some passes in the Tuamotu Archipelago, including those of the famous atolls of Fakarava and Rangiroa, offer a beautiful spectacle: real walls of sharks.
Diving providers will take you to these places. Sharks will be omnipresent. It's a rare and striking moment to experience.
Saying yes in Bora Bora: a Tahitian wedding
Want to marry in a traditional Polynesian wedding or renew your vows in a traditional ceremony on the beach? Then Bora Bora is the perfect place for you. A 45-minute flight from Papeete, Tahiti, this popular island is a true beauty nestled in the ocean.
Under the protective height of the sacred Mount Otemanu, with your feet in the white sand and the lagoon as a witness, you can say yes in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Tattooing my life on my skin
The English term tattoo, which you know and which has given "tatouage" in French, comes from the Reo Ma'ohi tātau. It is a millennial practice among Polynesians.
You will find in Tahiti and the islands the best local tattoo artists. Tell them what you do and who you are so they can immortalize your life's journey as well as the time you spent in Tahiti.
Surfing or admiring the most beautiful wave in the world
Here’s one of the top must-do activities for surfing enthusiasts and curious travelers visiting Tahiti! If you were to stay just one day in Tahiti, then let it be to go admire the most beautiful wave in the world, Teahupo'o, on the west coast of the Peninsula (Tahiti iti), located about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from downtown Papeete. A great activity if you're touring the island!
Selected to be the site of the surfing competitions of the Paris 2024 Olympics, with its rolls of hypnotic power, Teahupo'o is the holy grail for surfers around the world. It’s also “the end of the road,” beyond which lies a preserved, wild area of the peninsula that’s inaccessible by car.
Trying va'a with the world's best rowers
You may be wondering what to do in Tahiti to experience the culture. One of the best things to do is to discover traditional sports. The va’a is the traditional Polynesian outrigger canoe. Polynesians used it for their travels in the lagoon and for fishing.
With the use of new materials, the canoes have become more efficient and va’a has become a sport in its own right. To be practiced at least once.
You can also watch rowers training from the Papeete waterfront or Pointe Vénus Beach, or attend va’a competitions held at various times of the year, particularly in July during the Heiva i Tahiti festival.
Fishing the biggest fish of my life
Fishing in Polynesia has always been sustainable. It's spearfishing or trolling to try to catch different fish. Book your sea outing with a guide and take some time to learn the local fishing techniques.
You will try to catch 'ā'ahi (tuna), ha'urā (swordfish or marlin), or toheviri (bonito) in an exceptional sporty and festive moment.
Have you found what you're looking for in these suggestions of great things to do? Not yet? Visit the Museum of Tahiti, attend the Heiva i Tahiti, enjoy a meal in the friendly atmosphere of the food trucks ("roulottes"), take a cruise around the islands like a boat tour to Tetiaroa, try local food in the Papeete market on a Sunday morning, explore the Papeno’o valley on 4x4 tours, take some time to shop for some souvenirs in Papeete, snorkel in coral gardens… there are many other activities to enjoy in French Polynesia!
Are you planning a trip to Tahiti or another island soon? Check out our guide about the best time to visit French Polynesia and choose the perfect season based on your bucket list.
