Bottom Line: Is Tahiti Worth It + What to Know (2024)
Are you on the fence about planning that island getaway to Tahiti? Or maybe you’re looking for a personal account of what it’s like vacationing in Tahiti? Perhaps you’re wondering if Tahiti is worth visiting if you have already been to other island destinations. If so, you’re in the right place. Here is my take on whether Tahiti is worth it and the essentials for what you need to know based on my first-hand experience on the island!
Is Tahiti a Good Place to Vacation?
French Polynesia is known for beckoning people from all across the globe with its unbelievably blue waters and overwater bungalows. However, it’s understandably not meant for everyone. Depending on your interests, it can either be an amazing vacation destination or money down the drain. To find out which category you fall into, take a look at your interests and what Tahiti has to offer in terms of excursions.
Tahiti Is a Good Place to Vacation If…
Are you someone who loves soaking up the sun while lounging on the beach with a good book? Or maybe you are an outdoorsy person who wants to surf Tahiti’s world-famous surf breaks, hike to incredible panoramic lookout points and waterfalls, or get up close to the diverse underwater life.
Alternatively, you may be someone who has a deep appreciation for learning and exposing yourself to the varying rich cultures of the world. If any of these descriptions apply to you, then Tahiti is a great place to vacation. That’s not to say that if any of the previous descriptions don’t resonate with you, you won’t enjoy Tahiti. Just based on what I observed and the people I interacted with, these are the three main groups visitors tend to fall into.
Tahiti Is Not a Good Place to Vacation If…
Now, aside from not being interested in anything I previously mentioned, here are some other scenarios in which Tahiti might not be the best vacation choice for you. First, if you’re someone who craves being in a big city environment, like in Paris or Milan, and hearing the noise of bustling cars, Tahiti is a far cry from that. Staying true to the French style, most buildings are a few stories tall. Even in the capital, Papeete, you won’t find towering skyscrapers.
Another reason why Tahiti may not be the right fit is if you can’t stand tropical climates. What this means is constantly warm and humid fickle weather. One minute it is clear blue skies, and the next there’s a lightning storm putting a damper on your itinerary. These are some things to consider, but it’s always worth researching more to truly find out whether Tahiti is a good vacation spot for you.
Is Tahiti Worth it?
Despite the allure of Tahiti, its often expensive price tag might have you wondering, is Tahiti worth the money? It’s the worst when you go on a vacation or spend a lot of money on something and are left disappointed — kinda like the notorious Paris Syndrome. Plus, what if you’ve already been to another island destination, like Hawaii or somewhere in the Caribbean? Is Tahiti worth it if it’s just more of the same?
Is Tahiti Worth It if You’ve Been to Hawaii?
As someone who has been to Hawaii on several occasions and visited other island destinations, the experience that Tahiti and her islands have to offer is incomparable. For example, Hawaii often caters to the American standards of comfort and travel. This means a good amount of American fast food chains, lots of developed town centers with big shopping malls, and often jammed-packed beaches and hiking trails.
Meanwhile, there is something mystical and magical about French Polynesia. Tahiti and some of the smaller islands, like Huahine, still hold that isolated, remote, and almost otherworldly feeling. Sure, it has become more expensive to visit over the years, but it feels much less touristy and more authentic.
Ultimately, I would say if you have any desire or interest in the activities Tahiti has to offer, it’s definitely worth the money to visit. Tahiti is in a league of its own, and I genuinely believe it offers a completely different experience from the likes of Hawaii, the Caribbean, and other island places.
Is Tahiti Worth It on a Tight Budget?
Even if you are working with a tight budget, I would still argue Tahiti is worth it. Contrary to what many people like to think, you can have the best of times, even if you can’t splurge on an overwater bungalow!
Just for a reference point, I spent over a week vacationing in Tahiti, without spending an exorbitant amount of money (<$1650 total cost), and it was one of the best experiences of my life. You definitely don’t have to spend thousands of dollars a week on exotic excursions to fill your itinerary. There are so many cheap or free things to do around the island!
💰 Read my expense breakdown & how to vacation in Tahiti for 8 days on a limited budget.
What’s Tahiti Like?
Have you ever visited a foreign country and experienced culture shock? I certainly have (hey there South Korea lol), and it can influence your experience quite a bit, often not in a great way. To give you a better idea of what to expect if you visit Tahiti, here are the essentials for what you need to know. And I’ve also thrown in some fun facts about Tahiti to keep you on your toes!
Where is Tahiti Located?
Tahiti is the largest of French Polynesia’s 118 islands and atolls in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is located about halfway between Los Angeles, California, and Sydney, Australia. As another frame of reference, Tahiti is about an 8-hour 15-minute direct flight from both San Francisco and Los Angeles, California.
Two segments make up Tahiti: Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti. The larger northwestern section is Tahiti Nui (Big Tahiti), and the southeastern section is Tahiti Iti (Little Tahiti).
What Language is Spoken?
The two official languages of Tahiti and her islands are French and Tahitian. If you are someone who has some background in French, you might be excited to practice and freshen up your French skills. Let me just give you a heads-up that the accents in French Polynesia are very different from the French accents in France. I found myself constantly asking the locals to repeat what they just said. Nonetheless, it was rewarding and a fun experience getting to put my knowledge from foreign language classes to use!
But, if you don’t know any French, fret not. A good portion of the locals know basic English. You just might need a little patience in communicating more complicated questions or ideas, but overall, you shouldn’t run into too many problems.
🇵🇫 PRO TIP: I recommend memorizing how to say, “Hello” (la Orana, pronounced yo-rah-nah) and “Thank you,”(Maururu, pronounced mah-roo-roo) in Tahitian.
Even if you don’t know any other Tahitian words, saying, “hello,” and “goodbye,” in Tahitian goes a long way. It shows that you’re making an effort to learn and immerse yourself in the local culture. My friends and I always greeted anyone we interacted with in Tahitian, and they were always so happy and appreciative.
What Currency Does French Polynesia Use?
The currency used in French Polynesia is the French Pacific Franc, commonly written as XPF. You’ll find all kinds of silver and gold coins that represent 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, or 100 francs. Meanwhile, French Polynesia utilizes bills for 500, 1000, 5,000, and 10,000 francs denominations.
Word of advice: Even if you have a travel credit card and can avoid foreign transaction fees, I highly recommend bringing some XPF. Lots of smaller vendors and small businesses don’t accept credit or debit cards. It’s also useful if you feel like tipping.
That said, if you aren’t able to get ahold of any XPF or you run out of cash unexpectedly during the trip, you can try bartering with US dollars. My friends and I went on an excursion with a local and were not informed prior that they only accepted cash. The 2-hour trip was 5,000 francs, which is about $43 USD. However, since we were short cash, the local said we could pay him $50 USD. Truthfully, we lost money since the conversion is not perfect, but it can save you in a pinch as a last resort.
What Is the Infrastructure in Tahiti Like?
As I touched on a little earlier, the infrastructure in Tahiti is likely much different from what you’re used to. For example, Tahiti has a very mountainous interior, so most of the buildings and people are concentrated along the coastline.
Also, as you explore the island, you may notice that the buildings are generally smaller and more modest in terms of architectural style. While this may be seen as being less impressive to some, I personally found it to be nice. The spaces felt more intimate, and you can tell how much they are used/loved by locals.
Something else that might take you by surprise is the number of roundabouts. Unless you’re in the capital, Papeete, there is often one main road you take to get to your next destination. In fact, there is a single road to circumnavigate the entire island.
What this means is that if you accidentally miss your turn-off, you likely won’t be able to easily make a U-turn. Instead, you’ll have to keep driving until you see the next roundabout. I’ll be the first to admit that there’s no shame in not being used to driving with roundabouts. My friends and I missed our turn not once, not twice, but three times. Needless to say, it was a long day lol.
Oh, and don’t be surprised if you don’t see any toilet paper in the public bathrooms. They aren’t regularly restocked and maintained as frequently as you’re probably used to. To prevent a bad situation, I recommend buying some toilet paper and carrying it around with you in your bag or car! You can find toilet paper at the local store or the giant supermarket called Carrefour (see location near InterContinential Tahiti).
Local Food Scene
In terms of food, Tahiti is known for its wide assortment of fresh fish dishes and delicious exotic fruits. One of the most popular dishes that we noticed on nearly every menu was “Poisson Cru.” The direct translation of Poisson Cru is “raw fish,” and it typically consists of raw tuna, onions, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and coconut milk.
I’m personally not big on seafood, but even I have to admit that this was pretty good! So if you happen to be someone who loves seafood, you’re especially in for a treat because Tahiti is nothing short of seafood dishes galore.
Oh! And if you’re visiting Moorea, even for just a day, they have tons of great tours and experiences. For example, some of the culinary-focused experiences allow you to learn how to make authentic dishes, while would let you delve deep into the local culture!
3 Activities That Make Tahiti Worth It
Besides staying in an overwater bungalow and lounging on the beach, I would say there are three popular activities to do around Tahiti…
Fun fact: The concept of overwater bungalows was invented in French Polynesia in 1963 by three Californians!
1. Hiking Tahiti’s Lush Interior
One of the best activities to do is to go hiking through Tahiti’s lush and verdant interior. Although there are lots of hikes that cater to all levels of fitness, if you are up for a moderately difficult hike, I highly recommend hiking to Tahiti’s famous Fautaua Waterfall. It’s one of the tallest waterfalls in the world and was an absolute highlight of my trip.
🥾 For more information on the hike, read my guide to Fautaua Waterfall!
2. Surfing and witnessing Teahupoo
Tahiti is known all around the world for its intensely blue waters and impressive surf breaks. No matter where you go around the island, you’ll likely see a local heading to the beach with a surfboard in tow. Even for beginners, there are surf breaks around the island that you can comfortably ride!
However, if you want to witness something insane that is unique to Tahiti, consider taking a taxi boat out to see Teahupoo. For anyone who has never heard of Teahupoo, it’s one of the most powerful waves in the world that calls professional surfers and surfing enthusiasts alike.
My best friend and I went with our surfboards to Teahupoo, and even though we definitely were on the water on a smaller day, our hearts were racing. The wave is equally magnificent and terrifying. Anyone can appreciate the force of nature that is Teahupoo.
🏄♀️ Learn more about surfing during your vacation and the famous wave with my guide to surfing in Tahiti and all things Teahupoo
3. Snorkeling
The third best activity to do around Tahiti is to snorkel through the island’s unbelievably blue waters. Its clear waters provide you with the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with the diverse aquatic life. During my time in Tahiti, my friends and I went snorkeling at least once a day, typically twice! It honestly felt so liberating to swim in such clear waters and to get to interact with the ocean life.
✅🐠 And if you are not a great swimmer or prefer having someone ensure everything is safe, I recommend this guided snorkel tour.
They will show you all the hidden gems and ensure that you see the best that Tahiti has to offer. Truly, it’s an opportunity you don’t want to pass up!
If you are only staying in Tahiti for a few days, it might not be worth it to rent a car. As such, I would recommend taking a tour to explore the island, as this is the most efficient and easiest way! It’s extremely expensive if you rely on taxis to get around.
When to Visit Tahiti
If you’re now thinking about planning a trip to Tahiti and wondering when to visit, I recommend going during the shoulder season, which is defined as April – June, and September – November. While almost everyone recommends visiting pretty much any travel destination during the shoulder season, I know this isn’t always possible. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the fairy schedule maker isn’t always on our side 😔. If this is the case for you, you may be wondering…
Is Tahiti Worth It During the Summer?
It’s no secret that French Polynesia during the summertime is swarming with couples, honeymooners, and regular tourists. With increasing demand by tourists comes increasing prices due to limited supply. Despite this, I still think a vacation to Tahiti during the summer is worth it. As I mentioned earlier, it’s possible to budget travel to Tahiti if you are willing to forgo some of the fancier amenities.
Furthermore, the summertime is part of Tahiti’s dry season. In short, this means that there are more sunny days than rainy ones, and the temperatures tend to be on the cooler side. Of course, that being said, the weather in Tahiti changes on a dime and you should always be prepared for the possibility of a rainstorm.
Is Tahiti Worth It During the Winter?
If you live somewhere that has cold or harsh winters, escaping to Tahiti might not be too shabby of an idea. Tahiti experiences tropical weather with temperatures ranging from 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit almost year round. The only real difference is that you will be visiting during the wet season. As the name suggests, this means there are higher chances of rain, and humidity levels tend to rise.
Therefore, unless you can’t stand the rain, I would argue that Tahiti during the wintertime is worth it. Just beware, Tahiti may be on the more crowded side because, like the summertime, this is typically when people have free time to go on a vacation.
Where to Stay in Tahiti
If you’re ready to plan your vacation to Tahiti, you can use the map below to explore the various housing accommodations available! The prices are up-to-date across several booking platforms. Thus, you’ll hopefully be able to gain a solid idea of what to expect to spend on housing…
Wrap-Up: Is Tahiti Worth It? (2024)
Tahiti is one of the most beautiful places in the world. However, more often than not, the expensive price tag might make you question whether Tahiti is worth the money. I believe that if you’re someone who loves spending your days relaxing on stunning beaches, being active in the beautiful outdoors, or simply taking in the local culture, then Tahiti is wholeheartedly worth visiting!
Even if you have already been to another island destination, the experience that Tahiti has to offer is like no other. I truly recommend it to anyone who wants to escape the chaos of the world and immerse themself in a remote island destination with a vibrant culture. And if you’re thinking about finally booking that trip, be sure to bring everything you need 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!
