Private Full-Day Tahiti Tour: Waterfalls, Grottos & Panoramas

Eight hours around Tahiti's circle route: waterfalls, sacred sites and two-island views

A private full-day tour of Tahiti in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan with a live guide in English or French, covering both the main island (Tahiti Nui) and the smaller peninsula (Tahiti Iti) in a single loop. The guide adapts the pace to your interests, adds photo stops, and shares stories about Polynesian history, culture and geology at each of the ten named stops. Spring water and seasonal local fruit are included. Lunch can be arranged at a beachfront restaurant at your own expense.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Vai'ete Square10m
2. Faarumai Waterfalls30m

Full-day circle-island tour of Tahiti

• View from Hilton Hotel lookout
• Explore Marae Arahurahu temple
• Visit Maraa Grottos caves
• Watch surfers at black sand beach
• Walk through Vaipahi Garden
• Lunch break at Paul Gauguin Museum Restaurant
• Drive through Isthmus of Taravao
• Stop at Taravao Lookout
• See Faaone Twin Waterfalls
• Visit Faarumai Waterfall
• Explore Venus Point historic site
• Enjoy views at Belvedere du Tahara’a

The experience

Papeete's lookout above the Hilton Hotel opens the day with views across the lagoon to Mo'orea, then the route moves through Tahiti's interior and coast in a single circle. You'll stop at Marae Arahurahu, an ancient Polynesian temple where high priests once communicated with the gods, and at the Maraa Grottos: volcanic caves filled with crystal-clear water and surrounded by banyan and fern trees. The black sand surf beach shows local surfers at work, and Vaipahi Garden offers both a waterfall and the legendary springs where high chiefs once bathed. A break at the Paul Gauguin Museum Restaurant gives you a chance to eat (at your own cost) and rest mid-tour.

The drive through the Isthmus of Taravao connects the two halves of the island, passing farmland and the Taravao Plateau before reaching the Taravao Lookout, which frames both coasts from a single vantage point. The route then descends to the Faaone Twin Waterfalls and the Faarumai Waterfall, one of Tahiti's most recognizable sights. Venus Point, where Captain Cook observed the transit of Venus and early European explorers first landed, carries the island's history of contact and astronomy. The tour ends at Belvedere du Tahara'a (One Tree Hill), a high viewpoint over Papeete and the lagoon.

Your guide is part of a multilingual team with over 20 years of experience and will check in with you throughout the day, adjusting stops and pace to match your interests. The minivan seats up to eight passengers and runs air-conditioned for the full eight hours. Request your preferred language (English or French) at booking, subject to availability. Service animals are welcome, and the tour suits all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Spring water.
• seasonal local fruit when available.
• eight hours in a licensed, fully air-conditioned minivan.
• a live guide in English or French who adapts the pace to your interests and shares stories about Polynesian history, culture, geology and modern island life.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 16 pickup points.

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcome

Operated by Tahiti Welcome Tours

Is this one for you?The eight-hour loop is a full day, so book this if you want to see both Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti without splitting the experience across two trips. The guide adjusts the pace to your interests and adds photo stops, so the rhythm is relaxed rather than rushed: ideal if you prefer to linger at sites instead of moving quickly through a checklist.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

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.

Does the tour include lunch, or do I need to arrange it myself?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. The guide can arrange a stop at a beachfront restaurant where you can sample Polynesian cuisine and eat at your own expense.

What is Marae Arahurahu, and why is it important?

Marae Arahurahu is an ancient Polynesian temple where high priests used the sacred site as a spiritual bridge to communicate with the gods during the pagan era. It is a cornerstone of Polynesian religious life and offers insight into the island's ancient beliefs and cultural heritage.

How many stops does the tour make, and what are the main ones?

The tour makes ten named stops across the full circle of Tahiti. The major ones include the Vai'ete Square lookout, Marae Arahurahu temple, Maraa Grottos, Vaipahi Garden, the Taravao Lookout, Faarumai Waterfall, Venus Point and Belvedere du Tahara'a. The route also passes a black sand surf beach and the Faaone Twin Waterfalls.

Is the minivan air-conditioned, and how many people can it hold?

The minivan is fully air-conditioned and seats up to eight passengers. It is licensed and used for the entire eight-hour tour.