Tahiti is so much more than overpriced, overwater bungalows. Expand your experience and take a road trip into the unknown. I did—and it was the trip of a lifetime. After spending a few days working in Papeete, we booked a last-minute accommodation on the other end of the island, rented a car and hit the road.
Driving in Tahiti
Route 1 encircles the entirety of the island, where you can easily access some of the best things to do in Tahiti. The island’s circumference is only about 72 miles, so about six hours of total driving time. However, I recommend taking a few days for the trip to allow for plenty of road side stops along the scenic one lane highway. If you’re strapped for time, the stops mentioned here are a quick ride away from Papeete so can be done in an afternoon.
Driving in Tahiti is actually quite easy. For all you Americans and continental Europeans, rest easy because Tahitians drive on the right side of the road. In general, the roads are in great shape but watch out for all the round abouts!
Renting a Car
Renting a car in Tahiti is simple and convenient. We picked up the car from the Avis in downtown Papeete then drove around the island, dropping it off at the airport right before our flight. Total for the car rental in March was about $74 a day in March, which is typical for the shoulder season in Tahiti. I have heard that rates increase during the more popular months from May to September. Definitely be familiar with a manual, as automatics can be hard—and expensive—to come by.
Although car rentals can be pricey, they provide greater access to the island and all the incredible—and often free—locations along the main road. It also gives you freedom to stop where you want and not be one some tour guide’s time schedule.
Pointe Vénus
The first stop on our Tahitian road trip was Pointe Vénus, a lush green peninsula jetting out into the Pacific surrounded by beautiful black sand beaches.The Matavai Bay is actually the location of Captain James Cook’s 1769 landing, where he built an observatory to witness the Transit of Venus from the South Pacific. A century later, the lighthouse was built on the spot.The pale white light house ascends out of the lush landscape, towering over the crashing waves below. There is a beautiful park area and boardwalk so you can meander and watch the surfers catching waves in the distance.
Beaches of Mahina and Hitiaa O Te Ra
We got back in our car to check out a few beaches along the rougher coasts of Mahina and Hitiaa O Te Ra, famous for their volcanic black sand and excellent surfing. The black sand beaches and rocky coastline is truly unique to the volcanic hotbed of the South Pacific. Just remember that the black sand gets quite hot in the heat of the sun, so don’t forget your flip flops. The beaches here are more exposed to the ocean compared to other beaches around the island that are sheltered by coral lagoons. The impressive breaks attract tons of surfers and boogie boarders. Stop at Plage de Ahonu and Baie de Papeno’o to take a dip or check out the view point at Tappahi that overlooks the rugged, rocky coastline.
Arahoho Blowhole
Just a bit further down the highway is another quick pull off that leads to the Arahoho Blowhole. While the parking lot is small, it is a clean, inviting park with public restrooms, making it a must stop on this itinerary. There is a paved walkway along the waterfront to allow easy access to the blowhole for families or people with mobility issues. The main attraction is the violent force of the water on the rocks that carved out a boisterous and loud blowhole, where water rushes through with geyser-like force. However, watching the surfers is just as entertaining.
Fa’aruma’i Waterfalls
A few kilometers south is one of the most scenic waterfalls in Tahiti. From Route 1, you make a right on the road that follows the Fa’aruma’i inland from the coast. I could not find an exact name for the road, but will link the GPS coordinates on Google here. It is a gorgeous drive down a back country road to the falls. You’ll pass tons of houses on stilts and local kids riding their bikes amidst the backdrop of Jurassic mountains and steep valleys. There is a small parking lot at the falls, and although there are no bathrooms, there are often local vendors selling fresh fruit and snacks. We picked up some star fruit, passionfruit, and chocolate crepes to munch on before heading to the falls.
Legend has it, these waterfalls were created when the wizard of this valley saved a beautiful princess from her father’s persecution. In three separate falls, water cascades from the perilous mountains in Tahiti’s interior before the river washes it out to sea. There is a short walk to the first waterfall, Vaimahutu. The path has just a slight incline and is pretty well maintained, so it is great for families. The last two falls, however, require a bit of a harder trek through the jungle. It is a about a ten-minute hike to the second bridge, suspended in the greenery of the forest. Another ten minutes on a steeper trail leads you to the last two waterfalls, Haamaremare Iti and Haamaremare Rahi. Both are clearly visible from the viewpoint carved out of the jungle’s tangled mass. The colossal falls vibrate through the dense tropical air, offering a welcome cool breeze. There is tons of lush greenery, with a wide variety of plant species visible along the trail. Just make sure to bring some bug repellant and try not to rest anything on the ground, the mosquitos and fire ants were out in full force when we were there!
Other Recommendations
So, we had a few other stops planned after hitting the Fa’aruma’i Waterfalls, but as will happen often in Tahiti—the weather turned. As we made our way back to Route 1, we saw dark rain clouds on the horizon. With limited daylight and more road to cover before reaching our Air BnB on Tahiti Iti, we decided to skip some of the other waterfalls on this section. However, I wanted to list them here for those lucky enough to be making the drive during good weather, as I feel they are definitely worth a stop! Make sure to try to add in the La Cascade de Pape’ana’ana, a large waterfall with a shaded grotto, and Vaihi Waterfalls as you head south down Route 1.
Taravao
Just as the storm hit, we arrived in Taravao, the last larger town before embarking into the more remote area of Tahiti Iti. Taravao sits on the isthmus that connects the larger island of Tahiti Nui to the smaller, Tahiti Iti. We got supplies at the U Express before heading to our Air BnB in Teahupo’o, where the storm eventually moved on. As the clouds rolled onwards, we witnessed one of the most breathtaking sunsets of the trip. Vibrant pink and purple skies lit up behind the dense grey clouds. The light bounced off the water, shimmering in iridescent glory. Then, I saw a shark, but that’s for the next adventure!
This is the just the first episode in my road trip Tahiti travel guide series so make sure you stay tuned for more!
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