Trip highlights
- 1Papeete market
- 2Matavai Bay black sand beach
- 3Lagoon snorkeling
- 4Moorea day trip
- 5Overwater bungalow culture
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
Photos: Unsplash
Language preparation
15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
Learn some French before you go
Start with these
- 1.Bonjour — Hello (use every time you enter a shop)
- 2.Merci — Thank you
- 3.Parlez-vous anglais? — Do you speak English?
- 4.L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please
Not a native English speaker?
English is the international travel language — building confidence before your trip makes every interaction easier.
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & Papeete Market
Monday, June 14
Est. spend
$200
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive at Faa'a International Airport (PPT)
Faa'a International Airport
A short drive connects the airport to Papeete, Tahiti's main town and the gateway to French Polynesia.
Many resorts offer complimentary or low-cost airport transfers — confirm this when booking.
☀️ Afternoon
Papeete Municipal Market
Marché de Papeete
A vibrant two-story market filled with tropical flowers, vanilla, monoi oil, black pearls, and fresh tropical fruit — the best introduction to Tahitian daily life.
Go early morning, around 5-7am on Sundays, for the most authentic and lively atmosphere.
🌙 Evening
Dinner at a roulotte food truck
Papeete waterfront
Papeete's waterfront roulottes (food trucks) serve excellent, affordable Tahitian and French-influenced dishes, a beloved local evening institution.
🍽️ Meals
Airport or hotel breakfast
French Polynesian · $14
Market poisson cru lunch
Tahitian · $16
Roulotte dinner
Tahitian/French · $25
Matavai Bay & Black Sand Beaches
Tuesday, June 15
Est. spend
$230
per person
🌅 Morning
Point Venus and Matavai Bay
Point Venus, Matavai Bay
A striking black volcanic sand beach where Captain Cook once observed the transit of Venus, with a lighthouse and views toward Moorea on clear days.
The black sand gets very hot underfoot by midday — bring sandals for the walk to the water.
☀️ Afternoon
Arahoho Blowhole and east coast drive
Arahoho Blowhole, Tahiti
A scenic drive along Tahiti's east coast to a natural blowhole where waves crash dramatically through a lava tube, plus waterfalls in the lush interior valleys.
🌙 Evening
Sunset dinner over the lagoon
Tahiti west coast
A resort or beachfront restaurant dinner watching the sun set behind Moorea's silhouette across the channel.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
French Polynesian · $14
East coast roadside lunch
Tahitian · $18
Sunset dinner
French Polynesian · $55
Moorea Day Trip
Wednesday, June 16
Est. spend
$260
per person
🌅 Morning
Ferry to Moorea
Papeete Ferry Terminal
A scenic 30-minute high-speed ferry crossing the channel to Moorea, with its jagged volcanic peaks rising dramatically above the lagoon.
Book an early morning ferry to maximize time on Moorea before the return crossing.
☀️ Afternoon
Moorea lagoon snorkeling tour
Moorea Lagoon
A boat excursion into Moorea's clear turquoise lagoon to snorkel alongside reef sharks, stingrays, and colorful coral gardens.
Many tours include a stop to feed and swim near gentle stingrays — a highlight for most visitors.
🌙 Evening
Return ferry and dinner in Papeete
Papeete
Return to Tahiti in the early evening for a relaxed final dinner in Papeete.
🍽️ Meals
Early breakfast before the ferry
French Polynesian · $14
Moorea beachside lunch
Tahitian · $22
Papeete dinner
French Polynesian · $40
Overwater Bungalow Lagoon Time & Departure
Thursday, June 17
Est. spend
$205
per person
🌅 Morning
Lagoon swim and overwater bungalow resort visit
Tahiti lagoon resort
Visit or stay at one of Tahiti's iconic overwater bungalow resorts for a final morning of lagoon swimming and relaxation.
Many resorts allow non-guests a day pass for lagoon access and lunch — ask ahead if not staying overnight.
☀️ Afternoon
Final black pearl and vanilla shopping
Papeete
Pick up Tahitian black pearls or vanilla beans, two of the islands' signature products, before departure.
🌙 Evening
Transfer to PPT Airport
Faa'a International Airport
Allow at least 2.5 hours before an international flight.
🍽️ Meals
Resort breakfast
French Polynesian · $16
Lagoon resort lunch
French Polynesian · $28
Airport food
International · $20
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
May-October (dry season) offers the lowest humidity, calmest lagoon conditions, and best visibility for snorkeling.
🛂 Visas
French Polynesia is an overseas territory of France — EU citizens enter under standard French rules, while many other nationalities including US, UK, Canada, and Australia can enter visa-free for short tourist stays of up to 90 days.
💱 Currency
CFP Franc (XPF), pegged to the Euro. Cards are accepted at resorts and larger establishments; cash is useful for markets and small roulottes.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 17
ambulance: 15
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Tahiti is genuinely expensive — imported goods, dining, and excursions all carry a premium reflecting the islands' remoteness.
- The roulottes (food trucks) along Papeete's waterfront offer far better value than resort restaurants for excellent local food.
- Book the Moorea ferry and lagoon tour in advance, especially during peak July-August season.
- Tahitian black pearls are a genuine local specialty — buy from a reputable jeweler in Papeete who can certify quality and origin.
- Sun protection is essential year-round given the equatorial latitude — reef-safe sunscreen is requested at most lagoon tours.
One thing worth not skipping
A 4-day trip to Tahiti, French Polynesia without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
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