Tahiti Island: Small Group West & East Coast Tour, Waterfalls

Summary

Half-day Tahiti tour with waterfalls, grottos, black sand beaches

You’ll follow a local guide from ancient marae stones to cool grottoes and lush gardens on Tahiti’s west & east coast day trip. Feel mist from Faarumai Waterfalls on your skin, walk barefoot on black sand at Venus Point, and hear stories that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We were barely out of the minivan when our guide, Manu, handed me a chilled bottle of water and asked if I’d ever seen a marae before. I shook my head — he grinned and led us under the shade of some tangled trees to the Marae Arahurahu. The stones were still damp from last night’s rain, mossy and cool under my palm. Manu explained how these places are sacred for Tahitians — his voice dropped a little as he talked about old ceremonies. There was this faint smell of wet earth and flowers I couldn’t name. I probably looked lost in thought because one of the others nudged me to keep moving.

The drive along the coast felt like flipping through someone’s photo album — flashes of blue sea, sudden bursts of green. We stopped at the Maraa Grottos where it was so quiet you could hear your own footsteps echoing inside. The air was cooler there; almost chilly against my skin after the sun outside. I tried to say “grotto” in French (Li laughed — apparently my accent is hopeless). At Vaipahi Botanical Garden, Manu pointed out a flower used for traditional medicine; I forgot the name but remember its sharp citrusy smell on my fingers long after we left.

Later at Faarumai Waterfalls, you could feel the spray before you saw anything — just this soft mist on your face and that low roar behind thick leaves. No swimming allowed (someone asked), but honestly, just standing there was enough. Venus Point came next: black sand slipping into my shoes while Manu told us about Captain Cook landing here, and how the lighthouse was designed by Robert Louis Stevenson’s father — that detail stuck with me for some reason. The sky kept shifting between sun and cloud; sometimes it all looked silver.

I kept thinking about how every stop had its own mood — not just sights but little moments: an old woman selling fruit by the road waving as we passed, or Manu humming softly when he thought no one was listening. We didn’t rush anywhere; plenty of time to wander or just stand still if you wanted. Even now, I can almost hear that waterfall again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tahiti island tour highlights

• Visit archaeological site Marae arahurahu
• Explore two grottos and lush forest
• Stop at black sand surf beach
• Visit botanical garden and waterfall
• See Faarumai waterfall in valley
• Visit Venus point lighthouse and monuments

Top questions

How long is this Tahiti island tour?

The tour lasts about 5 hours including all stops.

Is hotel pickup included for Le Tahiti Resort?

Yes, pickup from Le Tahiti Resort is included at 7:15am for morning tours.

Can you swim during this tour?

No swimming is allowed during this tour.

Are restrooms available at all stops?

No, but 4 out of the 6 sites visited have restrooms.

Is lunch provided on this half-day tour?

No lunch is included during this tour.

Is this small group or private?

This is a small group shared tour with up to 7 people per minivan.

Are children allowed on the tour?

No children under 3 years old are allowed.

Is wheelchair access available?

No, there is no wheelchair access for this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Le Tahiti Resort in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan with live commentary from your local guide throughout each stop. You’ll get bottled water along the way and have time at six different sites across both coasts—four with restroom access—before returning in about five hours.