Sight guide · Tahiti · French Polynesia
Visiting Plage de Vaiava (PK 18)
Tahiti's most popular public white-sand beach, at kilometre post 18 in Punaauia, has shallow lagoon water, coral patches for snorkelling and a view across the channel to Moorea.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Plage de Vaiava (PK 18) is a beach in Punaauia, Tahiti. Allow half a day; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Beach
- Area
- Punaauia
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, kids, outdoors and couples
- Best months
- July–September
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About Plage de Vaiava (PK 18)
Tahiti's most popular public white-sand beach, at kilometre post 18 in Punaauia, has shallow lagoon water, coral patches for snorkelling and a view across the channel to Moorea. At weekends it fills with local families.
Tip: Bring your own mask and snorkel and swim out over the coral heads on the lagoon side, staying away from the boat channel.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: Half a day.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not needed; you can simply turn up.
- Where: Punaauia, west-coast suburbs with white-sand beaches and the island museum.
Best time to visit Plage de Vaiava (PK 18)
Plage de Vaiava (PK 18) is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- July: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- August: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- September: 29°C (84°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Tahiti has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Plage de Vaiava (PK 18) is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Marché de Papeete and Roulottes at Place Vaiete.
- No. 11 of the 14 sights in our Tahiti things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Tahiti.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Tahiti.
- A family favourite in Tahiti with kids.
Near Plage de Vaiava (PK 18)
Also in Punaauia, so you can walk between them:
- Lagoon snorkel and whale-watching trips — half a day, expensive
- Musée de Tahiti et des Îles — 2 hours, low cost
If you like Plage de Vaiava (PK 18)
- Point Venus — Arue and Mahina, 2 hours
- Faarumai Waterfalls — Tiarei, 1 hour
- Arahoho Blowhole — Tiarei, 20 minutes
- Vaipahi Water Gardens — Papara and the south coast, 1 hour
Staying near Plage de Vaiava (PK 18)
Stay in Punaauia ($$$) to walk here: west-coast suburbs with white-sand beaches and the island museum. All areas to stay in Tahiti.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Plage de Vaiava (PK 18)?
Plan half a day. With Lagoon snorkel and whale-watching trips nearby, it fits a half-day in Punaauia.
+Is Plage de Vaiava (PK 18) free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Plage de Vaiava (PK 18)?
July–September for the most comfortable weather. Bring your own mask and snorkel and swim out over the coral heads on the lagoon side, staying away from the boat channel.
+Do I need to book Plage de Vaiava (PK 18) in advance?
No: it is free to visit, so you can decide on the day.
+Is Plage de Vaiava (PK 18) good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Tahiti. Tahiti suits families who enjoy the outdoors: calm lagoon beaches in Punaauia, waterfalls, a blowhole and the evening food trucks.