There is a public bus transportation system on the island of Tahiti, which is very cheap. It is quite efficient during the day but after 5:00pm, buses run about every 1 hour until 10:00pm.
There are no public buses in the other islands so it is recommended to rent a scooter bike or small car to get around.
You will easily find taxis at the airport in Tahiti during the day and at night anytime there is an international flight.
Tahiti – Faa’a
Tel: +689 86 60 66
Papeete Vaima
Tel: +689 43 72 47
There are taxis around most of the touristy islands. They don’t use a meter and calculate the price to pay according to the distance so it is recommended to ask the price before.
Avis
Tel: +689 54 10 10
Hertz
Tel: +689 42 04 71
Europcar
Tel: +689 56 34 00
Being the only marina in Tahiti Island, the Marina Taina can host up to 20 yachts of a maximum of 60 meters. It is a 10 minute drive from the international airport.
Yacht Agent Services
Tel: +689 41 02 25 / +689 78 92 46
Fax: +689 45 27 58
[email protected]
www.marina-taina.com
In Tahiti, yachts can also berth in Papeete harbor located in town. Yacht over 60 meters will have to come here. Approximately, it can hosts up to 8 yachts of 80 meters at the same time or 20 yachts of 30 meters. The area is secured and under a video surveillance system put in place in 2010.
Operational from Monday to Thursday 7:00am to 3:00pm and Friday 7:00am to 2:00pm
This main supermarket is 5 minutes walk away from Marina Taina and ideal for provisioning before a trip. There you will find anything and a lot of fresh products either grown locally or imported from France, New Zealand, Australia and the USA.
Tel: + 689 50 24 50 or + 689 46 08 08
www.carrefour-tahiti.com
Outside of Tahiti, yachts will anchor at leisure in the large sheltered bays and lagoons of the various islands.
No navigation or anchorage permit is required.
Traffic on the island of Tahiti is very heavy during rush hour so you will have to take this factor into account if you need to go somewhere during these hours.
Dockwise stops in Tahiti a couple of times a year. Go to their website at www.yacht-transport.com to check their schedule.
The yearly June-July "Heiva" (meaning "party") features an incredible traditional dance and singing contest. Every night, dance schools perform having trained all year for this exclusive event. It is a highlight of a stay in Tahiti & its Islands.
In Tahiti, it takes place at "Place Toata" along the Papeete water front and tickets can be purchased on location.
The Moorings
www.moorings.com
Tahiti Yacht Charter(based in Raiatea)
[email protected]
www.tahiti-yacht-charter.com
The Pacific International Film Festival takes place in Papeete in February every year.
It takes place in Teahupoo at the Tahiti Peninsula in August.
The best world surf champions compete on the dangerous Teahupoo wave.
Closed on Monday – opens from 9 30 am to 5:30 pm
Tel: +689 54 84 35
Pointe des Pêcheurs, Punaauia
The event takes place in November every year in Tahiti.
The monoï is the oil made tradionally out of coconut oil and the gardenia flower (called "tiare Tahiti"). The event gathers the various persons throughout the country involved in this small specific industry for a week of presentation of their local products. There are demonstrations on how to use the products and it also features some very nice traditional presentations in the costumes they used to wear before the arrival of the Europeans.
Very interesting to learn about the artist but no original paintings.
Open daily from 9 :00am to 5 :00pm
Tel: +689 57 40 52
Papeari
Free entrance. Be aware that the museum belongs to a pearl shop but buying pearls from it is not compulsory. You may just go to have a look and learn about pearls.
Open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Tel: +689 46 15 54
Located in Papeete
A must see market. On the first floor, you will find an incredible wide variety of pareos, Tshirts, Tahitian style shirts, post cards, wood handcraft…
Open every day from 6:00am to 4:00pm expect for Sunday, only in the morning.
Located in Papeete
You will find many shops downtown Papeete specialised in selling black pearls. Look around, take your time and ask for prices and potential discounts. Prices may vary a lot from one place to another for similar quality pearls.
Avoid buying pearls from the people installed with a chair and table just outside the Papeete traditional market (either fake plastic pearls – you can see as they are all alike, or poor quality pearls not allowed for sale). The pearls sold inside the market vary in quality but are OK to buy.
Featuring a good selection of contemporary and local artworks, Galerie Antipodes’ showcase ranges from paintings, sculptures and ceramics. Offers purchases of artwork via online from 20% to 50% off the public prices, under certain conditions.
Located in Fare Tony, Papeete
Tel: +689 54 05 05
[email protected]
www.galerieantipodes.com
With several rooms, the Galerie des Tropiques displays many of French Polynesia’s finest artwork. Works range from paintings, carvings, ceramics, and sculptures.
Located in Bld Pomare, Papeete
Tel : +689 41 05 00
Open Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5.30 pm & Sunday on demand
Located in Centre Vaima, Papeete
Tel : +689 43 04 18
www.ganeshatahiti.com
Spend the evening "Place Vaiete" next to the superyachts dock in Papeete where "roulottes" vans settle every night, all geared up for cooking, offer a wide variety of dishes.
For a real Polynesian typical dining experience, have dinner by one of the small vans called “Roulottes” in French. The food is great and fresh and you will enjoy being in a real friendly Tahiti atmosphere open air.