Papeete Cultural Tour and Tahitian Tuna Workshop

You prepare the raw fish yourself, not just watch someone else make it.

A morning or evening tour in Papeete that combines a guided market walk, hands-on preparation of Tahitian raw fish with coconut milk, and a walking tour of the city's colonial history around Vai'ete Square. The morning includes a garden tasting after cooking. The evening focuses on the raw fish preparation. Both tours run 2 to 3 hours with a live guide in English or French, and children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Morning market and city tour

• Visit Papeete market with guide
• Prepare Tahitian raw fish with coconut milk
• Enjoy raw fish picnic in garden
• Guided walking tour of Papeete city

The experience

The morning starts at the Papeete market, where your guide walks you through the stalls of fish, fruit, vegetables and local preparations, including the weekend roasted pig. You'll see and smell what locals actually buy, then head to prepare Tahitian raw fish with coconut milk for breakfast. After tasting it in a garden setting, you move into a walking tour of Papeete itself, learning about the old colonial city, its economic and political shifts, and the stories that connect to ancient Polynesia. The route takes in Vai'ete Square, the heart of the capital.

If you choose the evening tour instead, you'll visit Papeete for an hour before focusing on the raw fish preparation with coconut milk: a shorter, more focused experience if you want the cooking without the full day. Both versions include the fish you prepare, plus fruit, lemonade or coconut, and firifiri (Tahitian donuts). Weekend mornings add roasted pig when it's available. A guide leads in English or French throughout.

What’s included

• Tahitian raw fish with coconut milk.
• fruit, lemonade or coconut, and firifiri (Tahitian donuts).
• roasted pig on weekends when available.
• guided market walk and city walking tour with stops at Vai'ete Square.
• live guide in English or French.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 13:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (3 to 17 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by FAATI CITY

Is this one for you?Book the morning tour if you want the full Papeete experience: market, cooking, tasting and city history in one outing. Choose the evening tour if you prefer a shorter, more focused session on the raw fish preparation after exploring the city on your own.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (3 to 17 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Tahitian raw fish, and do I have to eat it if I don't like raw food?

Tahitian raw fish (poisson cru) is fresh tuna or other fish cured in coconut milk with lime, onions and tomatoes. It's not cooked but the acid cures it. The tour includes tasting what you prepare, but you're not obligated to eat anything that doesn't appeal to you. The guide can explain the dish and you can try a small amount or skip it.

Do I need cooking experience to prepare the raw fish, or will the guide teach me?

No experience needed. Your guide walks you through the preparation step by step, showing you how to cut, mix and combine the ingredients. It's a hands-on introduction, not a professional cooking class.

What's the difference between the morning and evening tour?

The morning tour includes the Papeete market walk, the raw fish preparation, a garden tasting, and a guided walking tour of the city and Vai'ete Square. The evening tour skips the market and the garden tasting, focusing instead on Papeete itself for an hour and then the raw fish preparation with coconut milk.

Is the roasted pig included every day?

Roasted pig is available only on weekends, depending on availability. Weekday tours include fruit, lemonade or coconut, and firifiri (Tahitian donuts) instead.