Tahiti at a Glance
About Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Society Islands of French Polynesia in the central South Pacific and is the political and economic centre of the territory. The island covers about 1,045 square kilometres and includes the main town of Papeete.
Coastal lagoons, black-sand and white-sand beaches, and steep volcanic interior ridges define the visitor experience; reef-fringed bays offer snorkeling and boating while interior valleys and waterfalls attract hikers. The island is divided into two main parts - Tahiti Nui (large) and Tahiti Iti (small) - connected by a narrow isthmus.
Tahiti formed from volcanic activity; Mount Orohena at 2,241 metres is the island’s highest peak. European contact began in the 18th century and the island later became a French protectorate and then part of French Polynesia.
Geographically Tahiti lies in the central South Pacific within the Society Islands archipelago. Papeete sits on the northwest coast and the island is surrounded by a barrier reef with passages used by inter-island ferries and cruise traffic.
- Area: Has an area of about 1,045 square kilometres and is the most populated island in French Polynesia.
- Viewing: Best coastal viewing and sunset scenes are commonly found along the western and northwestern bays near Papeete and the lagoon rim.
What to See#
- Papeete: The principal urban centre and administrative capital located on the northwest coast, serving as the main port and hub for inter-island transport and services.
- Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti: The larger northwestern lobe and the smaller southeastern peninsula that together form the island; the landscape is volcanic with steep interior ridges and lagooned coasts.
- Mont Orohena: Mount Orohena rises to 2,241 metres and is the island’s highest point, dominating the interior topography and catching much of the rainfall that feeds Tahiti’s valleys and waterfalls.
Nearby Attractions to Tahiti
Best Time to Visit Tahiti
Visit during the drier, cooler months (May-October) for more settled weather and calmer seas.
Weather & Climate near Tahiti
Tahiti's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 17°C to 27°C. Heavy rainfall (2072 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 20° - 27° | 23° | 270 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 20° - 27° | 24° | 203 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 20° - 27° | 24° | 168 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 148 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 19° - 25° | 22° | 151 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 18° - 24° | 21° | 133 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 17° - 23° | 20° | 122 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 17° - 23° | 20° | 136 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 17° - 24° | 20° | 138 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 18° - 25° | 21° | 169 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 19° - 25° | 22° | 197 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 237 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Tahiti
Tahiti’s main gateway is Faa’a International Airport (PPT) on Tahiti Nui; the airport is very close to Papeete (the capital), about 5 km from the city centre. Regular international flights arrive at Faa’a and inter-island ferries and short flights connect Tahiti with other Society Islands (for example fast ferries run between Tahiti and Moorea from Vaiare to Papeete).
Tips for Visiting Tahiti
- Arrive through Faa'a International Airport (Papeete) and head straight to the Papeete market in the early morning for local produce, crafts and a feel for island life before cruise crowds build.
- Rent a car and do the coastal circumnavigation early in the day - traffic and island bottlenecks are lightest in the morning and you'll have more time at scenic stops like the west-coast beaches and viewpoints.
- Book inter-island flights (Air Tahiti) and any lagoon excursions well in advance; seats fill quickly, especially during European and North American high seasons.