The 15 Best Papeete Tours & Excursions

1.5 Hours Tahiti Island Tour – West and East Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,020 reviews · from $79Our pick

See Tahiti Nui’s major sights in a small air-conditioned minivan, with stops at Arahurahu Marae, Maraa Grotto, black-sand beaches, Vaipahi gardens, Faarumai Waterfalls, and Pointe Venus. Guides such as Fabrice, Vetea, and Antoinette add local history, fruit tastings, and practical island insight. Pickup and hotel transfers are offered.

“Comfortable tour around island with a variety of interesting places to see, from temple to cave to waterfalls.”

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2.Moorea Street Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 410 reviews · from $73

Explore Moorea by air-conditioned 4x4, truck, or minivan with local chef Heimata or guide Mareva. Visit snack shops, cafés, stands, and small businesses for 6 to 8 stops and a wide mix of fruits, fish, pastries, breads, and Polynesian dishes. Hotel, port, and selected accommodation pickup is available.

“This was an amazing, fun experience! Heimata’s love for his island was the perfect backdrop to learn about the interesting food and culture. I tried foods I would have never considered had I not learned about them on the tour. We had a blast and I highly recommend it!”

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3.Unique Tahiti Tour – personalised, small group east coast tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 314 reviews · from $183

Spend four to five hours touring Tahiti’s east coast in an air-conditioned Mercedes minivan with a guide such as Tracey, Roni, Dominic, or Mihi. See Papeete, Pointe Venus, Arahoho Blowhole, Faarumai Waterfalls, local artists, river eels, and Moorea views, with hotel or port pickup included.

“Domenic was a great tour guide, lots of local knowledge and showed the less touristy side of the East Coast, thoroughly enjoyed my tour.”

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4.Unique Tahiti Tour – personalised, small group west coast tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 286 reviews · from $183

Spend four to five hours exploring Tahiti’s west coast with guides such as Tracey, Dominic, Mihi, or Roni. Visit Arahurahu Marae, Taharuu Beach, Maraa Grotto, Vaipahi Water Gardens, a local church, and a Monoi laboratory. Pickup is offered, groups are capped at eight, and private tours can be arranged.

“Nice tour along the west coast of Tahiti with several interesting stops including botanical gardens with waterfalls, caves and fresh fruit and juice stops. Our guide, Tracy, was very informative. She also got us to a local church practice (Sunday) with amazing music.”

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5.Tetiaroa Island Tour by Sailing Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 156 reviews · 11 hours · from $227

Leave Papeete at 6:00 AM for Tetiaroa aboard a large catamaran, with breakfast, lunch, and drinks included. A guide leads you to Bird’s Island, then you get free time for photos, swimming, and sunbathing before snorkeling the reef. English and French are offered, though some explanations may be mainly in French.

“Great catamaran, beautiful location, food was excellent. French speaking so missed a bit of the explanation by the guide on the island. The boat crew tried to explain to us separately which worked ok.”

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6.Unique Tahiti tour to Teahupoo, small group, full day combo tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 155 reviews · from $261

Spend about eight hours touring Tahiti’s west coast in a small group of up to eight, with guides such as Tracey, Dom, Ron, Ronnie, Ray, and Damian. See Taharuu Beach, Vaipahi Water Gardens, Maraa Grotto, Arahurahu Marae, and Teahupoo. Lunch is extra, and the 30-minute boat ride to the Olympic surf site costs about $30 per seat when conditions allow.

“We had the best day in Tahiti, our guide Tracy, was very knowledgeable and informative of the local culture and customs. Lots to see. It was raining and blowing a gale at times, yet we soldiered on and got to enjoy the island, and tock off a bucket list with a boat ride out to the famous Teahupo surf break. Thanks Unique for a wonderful experience. We highly recommend - 6 stars!”

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7.private Tahiti island discovery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 114 reviews

Spend about 4.5 hours seeing Tahiti with a private guide such as Damien, Bertrand, or Edouard. Visit Point Venus, Faarumai Waterfalls, the Arahoho Blowhole, and Vaipahi Water Gardens, or adjust the route to fit your interests. Hotel pickup, bottled water, and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

“We had a wonderful and enlightening tour of Tahiti. Our tour guide, Damian, is well versed with the history and geography of both Tahiti nui and iti. We learned so much about the islands and its people while he was driving and guiding us around. Our special request to modify the tour itinerary was kindly accommodated. We saw what we wanted to see plus more! He picked us up promptly from the ferry terminal and also helped us get to a supermarket to buy supplies. At the end of the tour, he dropped us off to our accomodation. It was a very pleasant experience that we highly recommend!”

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8.Private Tahiti Circle Island – Waterfalls, Black Sand & Views

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews

Circle Tahiti in a private, air-conditioned van with a guide such as Eric, Max, Natalia, or Angele. You’ll visit Arahurahu Marae, Maraa Grotto, Vaipahi Water Gardens, Faarumai Waterfalls, and Point Venus, with time for custom stops. It suits cruise days, flight days, and small groups of up to seven.

“Great tour guide - our guide was knowledgeable and had a good sense of humor. Not only did she tell us about the history of the island, she gave us a glimpse into everyday living as well.”

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9.International private transfer, arrival departure, airport pier hotel rental

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews

Book a private transfer in Papeete for up to four people between Faa'a International Airport, hotels, cruise or ferry piers, and rental homes. Your driver meets you after customs with a name sign, helps with bags, provides water, and welcomes you with flowers on arrival or a shell necklace at departure. Bertrand and Yoshi are among the drivers noted for friendly service and local tips.

“We were very impressed with the service we received transporting from Papeete to the Ferry Docks. They were helpful, knowledgeable of the area, on time, easy to spot and easy to communicate with. They really made our transfers hassle free, including cold water for us!”

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10.Shared Transfer: Tahiti Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 88 reviews · from $30Best value

Meet a Tahiti Nui Travel representative at Faa'a Airport, often with a name board and fresh flower lei, then ride an air-conditioned shared shuttle to your Papeete hotel, cruise port, or ferry pier. The service covers arriving flights and includes luggage help, but remote Tahiti Iti lodges are excluded and hotel drop-offs may take longer with shared stops.

“Transfer was waiting for us. Courteous service and excellent driving straight to the hotel door. Driver took our bags inside hotel”

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11.Bora Bora by Land and Sea: 4WD Safari and Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 80 reviews · 6 hours · from $252

Spend six hours seeing Bora Bora from two angles. Guide Teva has led guests to fruit trees, viewpoints, and local pareo makers before lunch at Bloody Mary’s or Fare Manuia. The afternoon brings a lagoon cruise with stingrays, black-tip reef sharks, and coral gardens. Hotel pickup, lunch, and the boat trip are included.

“La gita in mare è stata davvero emozionante, abbiamo visto una manta, le razze, gli squali e il giardino di corallo è spettacolare. Unica pecca forse è stato un po’ frettoloso (ma la giornata di vento forse rendeva difficile alcuni spostamenti). Il tour a terra ci è piaciuto tantissimo, la nostra guida Teva, era gentilissima, ci ha portato sulla cima, a vedere molti alberi da frutto, abbiamo assistito (e comprato) alla creazione dei parei e poi siamo andati sulla cima opposta dell’isola. Il pranzo al ristorante è stato ottimo (forse anche qui la cameriera era un po’ frettolosa nonostante ci fosse abbastanza tempo per fare tutto).”

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12.Explore Tahiti Nui, its landscapes and iconic sites.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · from $109

In about five hours, Marie-Jeanne or another local guide takes you around Tahiti Nui in an air-conditioned van for up to seven people. You’ll visit Pointe Venus, Faarumai Falls, Fa’aone, Vaipahi, Arahurahu Marae, and Maraa Grotto, with water, snacks, WiFi, and possible family treats along the way.

“Marie Jeanne was excellent.Right on time. Extremely well organized and knowledgeable. The tour was so insightful. We learned so manyinteresting facts. The best on our trip.”

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13.walking tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 69 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Meet Pauline at the Papeete Tourist Office for a two-hour walk through the city center. You’ll see Bougainville Park, the Assembly of French Polynesia, the Catholic Cathedral, the municipal market, and Town Hall while learning about Tahitian culture, French influence, and local life. Tours are offered in French, English, or Italian.

“We had a lovely walking tour with Pauline. She was incredibly welcoming, and very knowledgeable about Papeete and all of French Polynesia! A fantastic introduction to this fabulous city!”

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14.Unique East Coast Half Day Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 68 reviews · 4h 30m · from $176

Travel Tahiti’s wild east coast in a red Mercedes minivan with an English-speaking local guide such as Tracey, Ronnie, or Dominique. Visit Point Venus, a former leper colony, local artisans, waterfalls, the Arahoho Blowhole, and Tahara Viewpoint. Weekday departures may include Papeete Market and a pareo silk-screen workshop.

“Excellent tour. Your company botched the pick-up. We could have been picked up right from our ship. But your app had us go to a hotel in town for pick-up. And Unique Tours didn't seem to know we were on this tour. Poor communication somewhere! We were picked up one-half hour late and missed the Presidents palace.”

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15.Blue Pearl Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews

Spirou, the Lady in Blue, takes your private group of up to seven around Moorea in an air-conditioned vehicle. Choose a one-hour Belvedere visit or allow three to four hours for bays, plantations, tastings, pearl shopping, crafts, and scenic stops. Six languages are available, with pickup offered.

“The lady in blue came and pick us up at our hotel with her very blue decorated car. She is very flexible and kind. We did this tour on Christmas when almost everything is closed. We had a whole island tour of Moorea, she introduced us to maRead more”

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