The most beautiful natural sites to discover French Polynesia

To the west of the atoll, 1 hour by boat from Avatoru, here is a small lagoon in the lagoon, formed by a few motus encircling a natural swimming pool of a supernatural blue. A real feast for the eyes, you can walk around this natural jewel by following the motus crown (reef sandals are recommended). The shallow depth allows the discovery of hundreds of surprising fish, but also blacktip sharks. Where the boats anchor, you will often see shark feeding - a practice that is prohibited and that we do not approve of.

Point Tereia hosts the only beach on the main island, and what a beach it is! The landscapes are worthy of the most beautiful postcards. The Mimi snack, good and cheap, is a good source of sustenance. You can then reach the motu Auira, just opposite, in 20 minutes of walking (water up to mid-thigh in principle, maxi up to the waist). At the end of the point of the beach, turn around and look at the peaks of Maupiti: the relief doesn't evoke anything to you? Not even a pregnant woman? Ask if you can't decipher this beautiful gift from Mother Nature!

Point Venus, so named by Cook in 1769 during his first mission to Tahiti, is a historic site: it is also where the Europeans first landed in 1767 (Samuel Wallis and his Dolphin). Today, it is home to Tahiti's only lighthouse. The superb black sandy beach is the ideal meeting place for swimmers, who come together on weekends to sunbathe during the day or celebrate at night! The sand is extremely fine.

The first waterfall, Vaimahutu, is 80 meters high and can be reached in a few minutes on foot. It takes only 20 minutes to walk to Haamarere Iti and Haamarere Rahi. Other waterfalls are scattered all over the island, most often inland; they can be discovered by chance during a walk in the forest. The easiest to access (but the least intimate) are those of the Papenoo River: Topatari, Vaiharuru, Puraha..

The visit of Papetoai begins mainly with its famous octagonal church built in the th century on the site of a royal marae. It was built by the missionaries. Further afield, Hauru's tip is rich in a magnificent lagoon and beautiful beaches, two large motus, and the largest hotel concentration in Polynesia (excluding the west coast of Papeete): the road is lined with hotels and pensions up to Hauru point.

There are several possibilities for excursions in the Fautaua Valley: a lookout, the fort of Fachoda, the governor's garden, or the magnificent Fatuaua waterfall. Also known as the Loti waterfall, the latter is 135 m high - not 300 as Pierre Loti claimed! A relatively easy hike will take you there in about a dozen kilometres: count 3 hours of walking, including about 1 hour of climbing after the small bridge, without hurrying too much. Note that you can reach the waterfall from below by following the river, or from above (the fachoda): we prefer this alternative because it leads to a water basin with a natural slide, very pleasant to cool down.

To access it from Papeete by car, take the east exit on Avenue de Fautaua, then follow the road for 3 km. You pass by the old Loti bath (now an esplanade), and less than a kilometre later, you can park on the parking lot above the hydraulic service. Walk on the maintained track, and follow the river (left bank) to the Tearape or Fachoda bridge. A tropical atmosphere is guaranteed, don't forget your mosquito repellent. The ascent then begins towards the point of view on the waterfall. Leave equipped accordingly: it often rains and mosquitoes are bloodthirsty barbarians! Swimming is more than recommended in basalt organ basins.

Finally, you can continue for about 30 minutes to the Teovere pass: superb view of the Diadème pass.

Local population, young and sporty. You need to be patient…

The mountains of Raiatea are little Steep and allow easy hikes, but there are few trails: also advise us to take a guide, especially since it can give you a lot of information about history, botany, legends…

We recommend Gérard (✆ +689 73 96 48), a greedy guide.

Let's start with the Three Cascades. We're starting from Km 5, east coast, for 4 to 6 hours of relatively easy walks, except a few slippery passages, amidst a rich tropical vegetation (giant ferns, mape, bamboo…). You can bathe at the end: supreme reward after effort! This trip is recommended for a short stay in Raiatea.

The second trip takes you to the Faaroa valley. Counting between 4 and 8 hours of walking according to your rhythm is rather easy. This is in fact a number of different loops, as you wish. There are several archaeological sites that once inhabited and lovers of botany will be happy. Closed for a while, this circuit is again possible.

The last hike wins Mount Temehani Nui. The advantage of passing through a guide is that one can start from one point (e. g. the PK 12 on the west coast) to arrive across the island, at KP 2 on the east coast. This thus prevents us from coming back. This hike is aimed at the good walkers. We cross pine forests (possibility of bivouac along the river). Magnificent show at the summit: You can admire Tahaa, Huahine, Bora Bora and even Maupiti in the distance. The hiking takes about 8 hours, with 820 m of difference. Possibility of swimming. Attention: It's not sure you'll have the chance to discover the famous Endémique tiara, don't count too much on it.

The beach at KP 36 is one of the best surf spots on the island. It extends just in front of Papara's pass and its perfectly designed rollers. There is room but not much shade: the big advantage of this beach is definitely its wave conditions, you surf a lot but you don't swim a lot. Depending on the weather conditions, the rollers may be a little strong. A little further away, the black sandy beach at KP 38.5 is also very popular. There is a snack bar and a beautiful relaxation area.

Several white sandy beaches follow one another between KP 15 and 18. First we will reach To'Aroto beach at KP 15: on the edge of a fringing reef, it is not the most suitable for swimming but it is pleasant. Then comes the beach of Vaiava, where you can rent kayaks and paddles. An ice-cream seller will even delight the gourmands. Slightly further away await you the beach at KP 18 and Mahana Park (KP 18.5), again with beautiful facilities.

The beach (black sand) of the surfers par excellence. Don't expect to take a wave on the weekend - they are of course overloaded - but you will find a place on the beach to ask and appreciate the fun and relaxed atmosphere of the area.

This narrow beach is quite busy on the weekend, just as much as the lawn and the parking around the tomb of Queen Pomare V. We can bathe there, but there is little sand to ask his towel.

If this small black sand beach is not the most beautiful of the island, it has the advantage of being the closest to Papeete. A few coconut trees, trees that look above the water… a situation that really must be enjoyed by the happy owners of the villas overlooking the beach.

Paradise is to be earned, they say... Well, here we are! Not that the hike is so complicated (we meet families with children), but the ascent to reach the top is steep, so we might as well be prepared for it. Lined with fruit trees, mango trees, papaya trees, banana trees, lemon trees and orange trees, the path is nevertheless very pleasant. At the end of 45 minutes of effort (less of course if you climb in quad or 4x4 with a provider), finally arrives the comfort: a grandiose panorama at 360 °C on the two bays... See for yourself!

At Papeete, take the bus for Mahina or Teahuopoo. Get down at the bottom of the Taharaa coast. Take the public passage created by the Radisson Hotel on its left. Facing the sea, follow the beach to the right of the old Hyatt hotel (transformed into a beach bar and a restaurant) and a little further along the rocks. Possible possible.

Near the port, there is a large esplanade. Facing the sea, there is a beach lined with a wood. Meetings can be made at night, sometimes military.

Take the road leading to the mixed military circle, which leads to the beach between the circle and the room. At the time of the piroguiers, at the beginning of the evening until the night. It is mainly a quiet place, at night, to bring a conquest and take a bath at midnight. It makes beautiful memories…