Free things to do · Tahiti · French Polynesia
9 free things to do in Tahiti
Tahiti without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Musée de Tahiti et des Îles, Tahiti · Photo: Wmpearl, CC0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Tahiti without paying an entry fee: Marché de Papeete, Point Venus, Faarumai Waterfalls and Arahoho Blowhole are all free. Eat at roulottes and snack bars rather than resorts; the difference can be several times the price.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 2
- Cost level
- Very expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- February–March
Plan a trip to Tahiti
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Free sights and experiences
Market · Papeete
1.Marché de Papeete
Come early on Sunday to see the market at its liveliest and buy a ready-made poisson cru for breakfast.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
- Photo spot
Beach · Arue and Mahina
2.Point Venus
Visit in the late afternoon when the sand has cooled, and bring water shoes because the black sand can be scorching.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Kids
Nature · Tiarei
3.Faarumai Waterfalls
Bring insect repellent and avoid the longer trail after heavy rain, when it becomes muddy and slippery.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Tiarei
4.Arahoho Blowhole
Stay behind the barriers: the spray reaches the road, and the rocks are slippery.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Nature
- Photo spot
Garden · Papara and the south coast
5.Vaipahi Water Gardens
Walk the upper loop for a view over the lagoon, and combine the gardens with lunch on the south coast.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Paea
6.Maraa Grotto
Visit early in the day to have the grotto to yourself, and keep to the path, which can be slippery.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
Beach · Punaauia
7.Plage de Vaiava (PK 18)
Bring your own mask and snorkel and swim out over the coral heads on the lagoon side, staying away from the boat channel.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
Religious site · Papeete
8.Notre-Dame Cathedral of Papeete
If you are in town on a Sunday morning, attend part of a service for the singing, dressing modestly.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Historic site · Paea
9.Marae Arahurahu
Treat the platform as a sacred site: do not climb on the stones.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Photo spot
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Papeete | Marché de Papeete and Notre-Dame Cathedral of Papeete | 1 hour + 30 minutes |
| Arue and Mahina | Point Venus | 2 hours |
| Tiarei | Faarumai Waterfalls and Arahoho Blowhole | 1 hour + 20 minutes |
| Papara and the south coast | Vaipahi Water Gardens | 1 hour |
| Paea | Maraa Grotto and Marae Arahurahu | 30 minutes + 45 minutes |
| Punaauia | Plage de Vaiava (PK 18) | Half a day |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · Papeete
Roulottes at Place Vaiete
Arrive around sunset, browse all the trucks before choosing, and order crêpes for dessert from one of the dedicated crêpe vans.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Kids
- Iconic
Museum · Punaauia
Musée de Tahiti et des Îles
Allow time to walk the seafront garden afterwards, which looks across the channel to Moorea.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
More ways to save
- Eat at roulottes and snack bars rather than resorts; the difference can be several times the price.
- Shop at supermarkets for breakfast and picnic supplies; baguettes are price-regulated and inexpensive.
- Family-run pensions offer a cheaper and more local alternative to big resorts.
- Public beaches, waterfalls and marae are free to visit.
- Travel in the shoulder months of April, May, October and November for lower room rates.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Tahiti expensive to visit?
Tahiti is very expensive for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Tahiti?
Marché de Papeete: Come early on Sunday to see the market at its liveliest and buy a ready-made poisson cru for breakfast.