The best activities on the Taiarapu peninsula, Tahiti
Linked to Tahiti's main island, Tahiti nui, by the isthmus of Taravao, the Taiarapu peninsula is still a wild and unspoilt land. It's famous for surfing thanks to the famous Teahupoo wave, but there are plenty of other activities to discover!
Also known as Tahiti iti, the Taiarapu peninsula lies to the south-east of Tahiti nui, opposite Papeete. Its main attraction is its wild nature, between sea and mountains, offering great opportunities for walks and boat trips. In this article, get ready to discover the best things to do on the Taiarapu peninsula and discover all its facets!
1- Watch the Teahupoo wave from a boat
With surfing coming to the 2024 Olympics as a new Olympic sport, no doubt you've already heard of the Teahupoo wave, one of the most famous waves in the world. Constantly producing huge rollers and breaks with its coral reef, this wave, which also hosts the World Surf League's Teahupoo International Surfing Competition, is impressive to watch from the shore. But to admire this breathtaking natural spectacle at close quarters, a boat trip to see the Teahupoo wave is an experience not to be missed, and one of the best things to do on Taiarapu! If you're lucky, you'll also be able to watch surfers competing against each other, ensuring an unforgettable show.
2 - Surfing, the must-do sport in Tahiti
When you think of French Polynesia, and Tahiti in particular, surfing is one of the first things that spring to mind. In fact, surfing is one of the most popular sports on the island, which boasts a number of incredible spots for you to try your hand at! The Taiarapu peninsula offers several interesting surf spots, both for beginners at Taravao and for advanced surfers at Teahupoo. So if you don't want to miss out on one of the best things to do in Tahiti iti, don't hesitate to take a surfing course in Taravao and discover one of Polynesia's favourite sports!
3 - Discover Polynesian underwater life
Getting into the water to observe Polynesian underwater flora and fauna is an activity that can be enjoyed by anyone who knows how to swim, in a variety of ways depending on what you want to do. The most affordable activity is snorkelling: with just a mask and snorkel (and why not flippers), you can admire the incredible underwater world of the Taiarapu lagoon from the water's surface. The more adventurous who want to immerse themselves completely can take a first dive from Taravao, while certified divers can explore Tahiti iti, and even further afield! Tropical fish, leopard rays, napoleon fish and even turtles are just some of the many species you can come across on your dive site in Taiarapu.
4 - Nature walks on the peninsula
With its wild mountainous landscape and tropical forest, the Taiarapu peninsula is an incredible place for hiking. One of the must-do routes is up Mount Ronui, Tahiti iti's highest point at 1,332 metres. But if you want to take your time and explore the peninsula without too much effort, hiring an electric mountain bike in Taravao is the best option: you can get to the Taravao lookout with ease, ride along the lagoon to the famous Teahupoo wave, and so on. There are plenty of itineraries to choose from for hiking in Tahiti iti!
5 - Admire the whales in season
An emblematic animal of Polynesian waters, the humpback whale comes to French Polynesia from July to November to reproduce and give birth. This time of year is therefore not to be missed if you want to go whale-watching in Taiarapu, one of the best things to do in Tahiti: far from the hustle and bustle of Papeete, you can enjoy these majestic cetaceans in complete tranquillity! And if you're lucky, you might even get the chance to take to the water alongside them, a memorable experience that will undoubtedly remain one of the most beautiful memories of your stay in Tahiti.
As you can see, there's no shortage of things to do on the Taiarapu peninsula, whether you spend a single day or a whole week there! You'll also enjoy a quieter atmosphere, away from the majority of tourists staying close to Papeete and its airport. But that doesn't mean you should only concentrate on Taiarapu, on the contrary: check out the top things to do in Tahiti! And if you're a keen scuba diver and this sport will be guiding your stay, don't hesitate to check out the best diving spots in French Polynesia.