53 Interesting Facts About Tahiti That’ll Surprise You (2024)
Looking for lots of facts on Tahiti? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Tahiti is one of my favorite destinations in the world to travel to. With its unbelievably turquoise blue waters, relaxing black sand beaches, and exotic flora and fauna, the island is simply mesmerizing. In this post, I’ll be sharing some fun, random, and interesting facts on Tahiti that will hopefully inspire you to plan your next vacation to Tahiti!
📸 Appreciation Note: You’ll notice that a few of the pictures in this post were taken by my friend good friend Sol! You can see more of his amazing photography here!
51 Interesting Facts About Tahiti
#1 So Many Islands!
French Polynesia is composed of 118 islands and atolls located across 1,200 miles in the South Pacific Ocean. This area is roughly equivalent to the size of Europe! And to think, locals managed to discover and used to go between the other islands without a plane!
#2 The Island Groups
French Polynesia’s 118 islands and atolls are divided into 5 island groups: the Society Islands, the Tuamotu archipelago, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, and the Tubuai Island.
#3 Windward vs Leeward
The Society Islands Archipelago is further broken down into the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands. Tahiti is one of the Windward Islands.
#4 How Big is Tahiti?
Of all the islands in French Polynesia, Tahiti is the biggest one with an area of 403 square miles.
#5 Two Parts Make a Whole
Tahiti consists of two segments connected by the Isthmus of Taravao: Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti. In the Tahitian language, Tahiti Nui translates to Big Tahiti and Tahiti Iti means Little Tahiti.
#6 A Leisurely Drive
Circumnavigating the island by car takes only a little over six hours! This is a great activity for a day trip if you are staying for a longer period and have a rental car.
#7 Where Are the People?
Tahiti is home to about 69% of French Polynesia’s residents, which makes it the most densely populated island. Since not every island in French Polynesia is inhabited, the other 31% of the population lives on one of the 74 other inhabited islands.
#8 Tahiti’s Sister Island
The closest island to Tahiti is Moorea, which is a mere 12 miles northwest of Tahiti. By ferry, it only takes half an hour to reach Moorea from Tahiti, making it the perfect place for a day trip from Tahiti’s capital, Papeete.
History of Tahiti
#9 Symbolism Behind the Flag
French Polynesia’s flag bears its coat of arms, which features an outrigger encompassed by the rising sun in the upper half and blue waves in the lower half. Within the outrigger, there are five red asterisks that symbolize the five island groups.
For anyone who doesn’t know, an outrigger is a Polynesian sailing canoe, and it’s a traditional Tahitian and national symbol. If you visit Tahiti, you will often see lots of outriggers lined up along the shoreline near the harbor in the capital, Papeete. The local teams are frequently practicing there!
#10 An Expedition to Remember
Tahiti is a member of the Society Islands, which were named after the Royal Society, the oldest national scientific society in the world. This is because the Royal Society sponsored Captain James Cook’s 1769 expedition to French Polynesia. During that expedition, Cook observed the transit of the Sun by the planet Venus on Tahiti. Today, the Point Venus Lighthouse marks the location where Cook observed Venus seemingly moving across the Sun.
#11 Connections to France
In 2003, French Polynesia became an overseas collectivity of France, and in 2004, was given the designation of “overseas country.” Essentially, this means greater independence from France, but France still controls areas concerning justice, security, and public order.
#12 The Flags You’ll See
As an overseas collectivity of France, official boats, ferries, and vessels sailing in French Polynesia fly the French Flag.
Tahitian Language & Tahitian Tattoos
#13 Language Spoken in French Polynesia
French Polynesia has two official languages: French and Tahitian. However, a good portion of the locals know a bit of English as well, so if you only speak English you still be able to get around!
#14 A Short Alphabet
The Tahitian alphabet only has 13 letters: a, e, i, o, and u as well as the consonants f, h, m, n, p, r, t, and v.
#15 Common Misconception
There is no “b,” in the Tahitian alphabet, so Bora Bora is pronounced “Pora Pora,” which means first-born.
#16 Origin of Tattoo
The English word, “tattoo,” comes from the Tahitian word, “tatau.”
#17 A Right of Passage
Tahitian tattoos are sacred in Tahiti, and locals often get a tattoo towards the end of their adolescence as a right of passage.
#18 A Tattoo Can Tell a Thousand Words
In ancient Polynesian times, almost everyone had at least one tattoo. This is because the intricate geometric pattern revealed the individual Tahitian’s story, rank, and beliefs.
#19 Skip the Greetings
Also back in the day, individual islands had unique designs to indicate where a person was from. Pretty cool for anyone who doesn’t like talking to strangers or needs help coming up with a conversation starter.
French Polynesia Overwater Bungalows
#20 The Birthplace of Overwater Bungalows
Have you seen the iconic overwater bungalows that grace the cover of all kinds of honeymoon destination brochures? Turns out, overwater bungalows were first invented in French Polynesia in 1963 by three Californians: Donald McCallum, Hugh Kelley, and Jay Carlise. According to an interview with Carlise, the three men originally came to French Polynesia in hopes of farming vanilla on a Tahitian island called Ra’iātea.
However, the vanilla venture flopped, and the three decided to buy a little four-room hotel. This hotel became known as the Bali Hai and provided the men with the income they needed to purchase another hotel on Ra’iātea. The only problem with this was that the second hotel had no beach. As a solution, Kelley proposed putting three of the rooms on stilts, allowing guests to directly snorkel beneath their rooms. Thus, the first overwater bungalows were born!
#21 As Cheap as It Gets
The original bungalows were priced at $30 per day, meals included. Imagine what a wonderful world it must have been to pay for that kind of luxury at a paltry $30! Today, the cost of a relaxing stay in French Polynesia‘s iconic overwater bungalows can be as high as $5,600… But, fret not, you’re pampered like crazy and will enjoy all kinds of amenities!
#22 Fancy Some Tahitian Television?
One of the creators of the overwater bungalows called the signature transparent glass floors that most overwater bungalows sport a “Tahitian television.” This is because back in the day, the three Californians didn’t have access to a TV or phone. Thus, they created a new form of entertainment! If you ask me, staring at all the fish pass and ocean creatures swim by sounds pretty relaxing to me!
#23 See the Far They’ve Come
Today, the first overwater bungalows the Bali Hai boys created are still standing strong on Ra’iātea, but the same can’t be said for the original Bali Hai hotel.
Overwater Bungalows in Tahiti
If you want to stay in an overwater bungalow in Tahiti, you’ll want to book your stay at the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort and Spa as they are the only hotel with functional overwater bungalows.
Or you can just check out other… more affordable… housing options too 🙂 Check out the interactive map below to see some of the housing options across different booking platforms!
Facts on Tourism in Tahiti
#24 An Elusive Dream
Before 1960, Tahiti and her islands were only accessible by boat. This meant there were hardly any visitors to the islands, and French Polynesia was relatively still a distant dream to most prospective travelers.
#25 Accessibility to French Polynesia
In 1960, the Fa’a’ā International Airport officially opened, making the islands accessible by commercial international flights.
#26 Operation Air Tahiti
Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti are the two major airlines based in Tahiti. My friends and I personally flew on Air Tahiti Nui and the service was great! And if you’re looking for some epic deals on flights, my friends and I used StudentUniverse to book our flights. Despite the name, anyone can use the platform and find major discounts on flights. Plus, there’s nothing to lose. Worst case scenario, they don’t have the best deals and you end up booking somewhere else. In the best-case scenario, you see a flight that is $500 cheaper than everywhere else… like I frequently have!
✅✈️Create an account for StudentUniverse here to receive $20 off your first booking!
#27 Inter-Island Travel
Today, there are a whopping 46 regional airports, and the Fa’a’ā International Airport remains the only international airport. With all these airports, inter-island travel is much easier, and tourists can visit the smaller, much less known islands. But, know that flights in these little seaplanes to Bora Bora, Huahine, and other small islands cost a pretty penny!
#28 Service Above All
About 75% of French Polynesia’s economy is fueled by the service sector. As a result, the economy is heavily connected to its tourism industry. This is the primary reason why Tahiti was hugely negatively impacted by COVID-19.
#29 Tahiti vs Hawaii
Fewer people visit Tahiti in a year than the number of tourists Hawaii receives in one week. This stands as a testament to French Polynesia’s remoteness and is likely why the mystical aura that surrounds Tahiti remains today. The island’s unspoiled beauty also happens to be one of the reasons that Tahiti is worth vacationing in!
#30 Day in the Life of a Local
If you’re trying to save money and looking for a more immersive experience, I have good news. Several local families run pensions, which are guesthouses on locals’ properties. Prices for stays at pensions range from $30 – $80 per night and provide you with a more intimate view into the daily life of a local. Plus, if you’re against big corporations collecting all the money, this is a great way to ensure your money helps generate income for locals.
#31 To Tip or Not to Tip?
Similar to places in France and most of Western Europe, there are no rules for tipping. Thus, the tipping culture on the islands is vastly different from that of the United States and Canada.
#32 Two Seasons, Which to Pick?
If all these fascinating facts about Tahiti are convincing you to finally book that trip, hooray! That was my secret intention. 😉 But in all seriousness, as you consider your travel dates, make sure to keep the different weather seasons in mind. There are certainly better times to visit Tahiti and her islands. And between the wet season and the dry season, you’ll want to visit during the dry season. This is from May – October.
Facts About Tahiti Adventures Available
#33 Otherworldly Opportunities
Speaking of timing, one of the incredible adventures you can embark on during your time on the islands is swimming with whales. That’s right, during whale season, thousands of humpback whales pass through the waters of French Polynesia! Visitors can join local experts, who will take you out on a boat to try and spot these gentle creatures in the wild! Then, you’ll be given the opportunity to swim alongside these whales (in an extremely respectful and safe manner)!
✅ 🐋 Click here to learn more about swimming with whales in Tahiti
#34 Chasing Waterfalls
Tahiti is home to the tallest waterfall in French Polynesia, Fautaua Waterfall. It takes quite a bit of effort hiking to Fautaua waterfall, but you can see panoramic views of Fautaua Valley from the head of the waterfall.
#35 How Tall is Fautaua Waterfall?
Although it’s hard to say exactly how tall the waterfall is, it is known to be well over 440 feet! Some reports claim it is over 900 feet. But, as someone who saw the waterfall in person, I don’t think that’s quite right.
#36 A Fork in the Trail
There are two separate trails that lead to Tahiti’s famous Fautaua Waterfall. If you’re interested in learning more about how to do these hikes, read my guide to Fautaua Waterfall. It’ll tell you everything you need to know!
#37 Fear of Heights
At 7352 feet above sea level, Mount Orohena is the tallest mountain in Tahiti.
#38 Active Long Ago
Mount Orohena is currently categorized as an extinct volcano.
#39 Getting Your Steps In
If you don’t have a fear of heights, there is a challenging trail that will allow you to ascend to the top of Mount Orohena and see the crater. Just beware, it is a full-day excursion and should only be attempted by experienced hikers.
#40 A Monster Wave
Tahiti is home to one of the heaviest, most powerful waves in the world, Teahupoo. During a perfect storm, the surf break consistently generates extra large waves towering well over 20 feet tall. Witnessing Teahupoo’s famous bowl-shaped wave, or perhaps attempting to surf the incredible wave for more experienced surfers, is a top tourist attraction. If this seems like something you would be interested in, be sure to take a taxi boat to Teahupoo!
✅ There are 100+ tours around Tahiti, which is super overwhelming to go through and read. If you want to cut down on the research bit, here are the top 7 tours I recommend.
#41 Calling the Best of the Best
Teahupoo regularly produces heavy waves that take great skill to surf. As a result, it is the annual venue for the Billabong Pro Teahupoo surfing competition as part of the World Championship Tour.
#42 Let the Games Begin
For the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Tahiti is hosting the surfing competition portion at Teahupoo. This will break the current record for the furthest distance between the Olympic host city and an Olympic event competition.
Tahitian Flora & Fauna
#43 Tahitian Tiare Flower
The Tiare flower, or Tahitian gardenia, is the national flower of Tahiti.
#44 Welcome to Tahiti
It’s often used in religious ceremonies and worn as a part of a crown, lei, or simply behind the ear. Visitors to Tahiti are sometimes greeted with a lei adorned with unopened Tiare flowers that smell divine.
#45 Single or Taken?
In the modern era, the Tiare flower often indicates a person’s relationship status. If someone is available for a relationship, they place the flower behind their right ear. Meanwhile, people wear the flower behind their left ear if they’re unavailable.
#46 No Snakes on the Plane Please!
Currently, there are no poisonous snakes or insects in French Polynesia. This is likely because French Polynesia is made up of islands in a very remote location. Therefore, the animals, plants, and other critters not native to Tahiti have a significantly harder time getting to Tahiti.
#47 Pesky Bugs
However, the island does have mosquitos, so make sure you come prepared with strong insect repellent! You don’t want to end up like me — doing the chicken dance the first couple of days because I didn’t bring any. 🥲 Here are some other essentials to bring on your French Polynesia trip!
#48 A Diverse Underwater World
There are over 800 fish species in French Polynesian waters! Definitely go snorkeling all over the island to see a wide variety of fish, sharks, turtles, and vibrant coral reefs.
✅ 🐠 If you want to see the best aquatic life the island has to offer, I highly recommend this guided snorkel tour.
Facts About Life in Tahiti Life Before & Now
#49 Sacred Sites
Around Tahiti, there are four ancient marae sites. These sacred sites were originally used for religious, ceremonial, and social activities of ancient Polynesians.
#50 Going Back Centuries
According to Carbon-14 dating, most of the marae date back to the 15th to 18th century, but some rarer marae sites around French Polynesia date back to the 10th century.
#51 See It Up Close
The Ārahurahu Marae is Tahiti’s largest marae site and features a well-restored and maintained temple that visitors can walk around. This is a location you’ll visit on most of the sightseeing tours around Tahiti.
#52 The Best Kind of Delivery!
In front of some homes, there are boxes that resemble mailboxes. However, instead of being used to send and receive mail, they are used for local bread deliveries. Locals can receive fresh bread once or twice a day! Talk about having your priorities right! Don’t need to say much more to convince me to move there. 😅
#53 Staying Together
Something else you might spot in the front yard of residents’ homes is a tombstone. Although it’s falling out of practice, it used to be a tradition to bury parents or relatives on land owned by the family.
Wrap-Up: 53 Facts on Tahiti (2024)
Tahiti is truly one of the most beautiful destinations I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting, and it’s always been fascinating getting to learn more about its rich culture. I hope that everyone gets the chance to one day experience the magical bliss that permeates Tahiti and her islands.
If these little facts and nuggets of gold on Tahiti have inspired you to finally start planning that island getaway, check out my guide on traveling to Tahiti on a limited budget. I vacationed there as a broke college student, and if I can do it, you can too! Other than that, I wish you the best and hope you learned something new and intriguing to pass along to someone else. Cheers!
Free Tahiti Packing List
