Tahiti Full Day Private Coastal Tour: Waterfalls & Cultural Sites

Eight hours crossing both halves of Tahiti, from sacred marae to black sand beaches and twin waterfalls.

A full-day private tour of Tahiti with a live guide in English or French (German and Russian available on request) and air-conditioned vehicle pickup from your hotel or cruise port. The itinerary covers Faarumai Waterfalls, Marae Arahurahu temple, Taharuu Surf Beach, Vaipahi Water Garden, and Venus Point, with stops at both Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti. The route is fully customizable. You choose which sites matter most and the guide adjusts accordingly. Lunch at a local restaurant is your cost, but the guide, transport, water, and all entry access are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Vai'ete Square10m
2. Faarumai Waterfalls20m

Full day tour of Tahiti highlights

• Start at cruise port or hotel
• Visit Papeete Port Viewpoint
• Explore Marae Arahurahu temple
• Walk through Maraa Grotto park
• Stop at Taharuu Surf Beach
• Discover Vaipahi Water Garden
• Lunch at Paul Gauguin Museum Restaurant
• Drive through Taravao Village
• View from Belvedere of Taravao
• See Faaone twin waterfalls
• Visit Faarumai Waterfall
• Explore Venus Point beach and monuments
• Optional visit to Belvedere de Taharaa
• End tour at chosen destination

The experience

Eight hours gives you room to move slowly through the island without rushing between stops. You start at your hotel or the cruise ship port, then head to Vai'ete Square for a panoramic view of Papeete's port and downtown before moving inland. The guide speaks English and French by default. German, Spanish, and Russian guides are available if you arrange ahead.

The route splits time between cultural and natural sites. Marae Arahurahu is an open-air temple with carved tikis and stone platforms from ancient Polynesian ceremonies, set inside a park of lush trees. Maraa Grotto sits beneath towering banyan trees with a natural spring, cool and quiet. Taharuu is a black sand beach where surfers work the waves. Vaipahi Water Garden lets you feed eels among tropical plants and a waterfall. Faarumai Waterfalls, the centerpiece, drops through the Tiarei Valley surrounded by cliffs and greenery. Venus Point, another black sand beach, holds monuments to the HMS Bounty, Captain Cook's astronomical work, and early Christian missionaries. You also cross the isthmus at Taravao to see both sides of the island (Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti), and stop at the Belvedere viewpoint for views of Mo'orea and the lagoon.

Lunch happens at a local restaurant near the Paul Gauguin Museum. You pay for your meal, but the guide and transport stay included. The tour wraps at a destination you choose. Because the itinerary is fully customizable, you can skip sites that don't appeal and spend extra time at the ones that do, whether that's more time at the waterfalls, a longer beach stop, or deeper time at the marae. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the guide handles all navigation and entry logistics.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from your hotel or cruise ship port.
• live guide in English, French, German, Russian, or Spanish.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• entry to all sites including Marae Arahurahu, Faarumai Waterfalls, Vaipahi Water Garden, and Venus Point.

Before you book

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

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 22 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 welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tahiti Top Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a private vehicle and guide for the full day, since the customizable itinerary means you set the pace and choose which sites get your time: ideal if you're returning to Tahiti and want to skip the usual stops, or if your interests run deep into history, geology, or waterfalls rather than beaches alone.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Russian.

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 is Marae Arahurahu and why is it on the tour?

Marae Arahurahu is an open-air temple and one of Tahiti's most significant sacred sites, used for ceremonies and rituals by ancient Polynesians. The site holds intricately carved tikis (stone statues of deities and ancestors) and impressive stone platforms that showcase Polynesian architecture and spirituality, surrounded by a park of lush tropical trees.

Can I customize which sites we visit on this tour?

Yes, the tour is fully customizable. You can tailor the itinerary to your preferences (choosing iconic landmarks, hidden gems, or sites that match your interests), and the guide will adjust the route accordingly.

Does the tour visit both sides of Tahiti?

Yes, the tour includes visits to both Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti, crossing the isthmus at Taravao and offering views of both parts of the island from the Belvedere viewpoint.

What is included in the price and what do I pay separately?

Included are the guide, air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and all entry access to sites. Lunch at a local restaurant is your own cost, though the guide will take you there and wait.

Is this tour accessible for people with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels with short walking distances at each stop. By prior arrangement, the operator can accommodate travelers using wheelchairs and other mobility devices.