Tahiti Island Tour: West & East Coast with 6 Sites

Six stops in five hours: the archaeological sites, waterfalls and coastal landmarks most visitors miss on their own

A half-day guided tour of Tahiti's west and east coasts visiting six sites including a sacred Polynesian marae, two grottos, a botanical garden, a 100-meter waterfall and the historic Venus Point Lighthouse. The small group travels in an air-conditioned minivan with a live English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and water included. The tour does not include swimming or a meal stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tahiti Island West and East Coast Tour

• Guided tour of Marae Taata site
• Visit Vaipoiri Cave grotto
• Explore black sand surf beach
• Visit Tahiti botanical garden and waterfall
• See Faarumai Waterfall in valley
• Tour Venus Point Lighthouse and monuments

The experience

The minivan picks you up at 7:15am from your Tahiti resort and heads straight into the island's interior. Your guide provides live commentary throughout the five-hour loop, moving between the lush valleys and coastal viewpoints without long gaps between stops. Each site gets enough time to walk around and take photographs, rather than a quick pass-through.

Marae Arahurahu is a sacred archaeological site set in the Paea valley. A stone platform where you can see how Polynesian communities organized ritual and social life. The Grottos of Maraa sit deep in the forest, a cooler, quieter space surrounded by dense vegetation. The Botanical Garden at Vaipahi flows into the Faarumai Waterfalls, where a short five-minute walk leads to Vaimahuta, a waterfall that drops 100 meters straight down. At Venus Point, you walk the black sand beach and see the lighthouse built by the father of Robert Louis Stevenson, along with monuments to Captain Cook and Captain Bligh. The final stop depends on the weather: either the Taharaa viewpoint or the black sand beach itself.

The group stays small at seven people in a comfortable minivan with air conditioning and a bottle of water for each traveler. Three of the six sites have restrooms. There is no swimming during this tour and no lunch stop, so plan accordingly if you need a meal before or after.

What’s included

• Live English-language guide commentary at each stop.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• air-conditioned minivan for the small group of seven.
• bottle of water per person.
• restroom access at three of the six sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 13:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 7 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Tahiti Eden Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this shared half-day tour if you want a guide-led introduction to Tahiti's archaeological sites, waterfalls, and coastal landmarks without committing to a full day.

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Top questions

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 the Marae Arahurahu and why is it on this tour?

Marae Arahurahu is a sacred Polynesian archaeological site in the Paea valley that shows how traditional Tahitian communities organized ritual and social life. It is the oldest and most historically significant stop on the tour, giving you access to a place most independent travelers do not find on their own.

How much walking is involved in this five-hour tour?

Each of the six sites involves a short walk. The longest is a five-minute stroll to the Faarumai Waterfall. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and you have plenty of time at each stop rather than rushing between them.

Does this tour include swimming or a meal?

No swimming and no lunch stop are included in this tour. You will see black sand beaches and waterfalls, but the itinerary is built around sightseeing and walking, not water time or dining.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of the tour?

The final stop changes depending on weather conditions. You either visit the Taharaa viewpoint or the black sand beach. Your guide will decide which works best on the morning of the tour.

Is hotel pickup included, and what time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup from your Tahiti resort is included, with departure at 7:15am for the morning tour. The early start is timed to avoid traffic and give you the full five hours of daylight and access to each site.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide provides live commentary in English throughout the tour, so you hear the history and details of each site as you visit it.