Best Beaches in Tahiti
The remote paradise of Tahiti is a perfect destination for beachgoers – with a number of beaches featuring iconic soft black sand, crystalline turquoise seas, and plenty of things to discover on land and underwater, the beaches of Tahiti are unmatched.
To help you build your Tahiti sailing itinerary, in this blog, we’ll share five of the best beaches in Tahiti island. Whether you want a secluded oasis – just for you and your partner – or a livelier atmosphere to enjoy with your friends and family, there’s something here for you.
The Best Beaches in Tahiti, At a Glance
The five best beaches in Tahiti are as follows:
These beaches each offer a window into the beauty and culture of Tahiti – experience that iconic black sand, learn more about the island’s history, snorkel in pristine protected waters, and catch some unmissable sunsets.
5. Pampelonne Beach
Perfect for: Couples
Pampelonne Beach is a long stretch (almost 5km) of untouched white sand, but it’s so much more. It’s one of the best beaches to visit with your partner for sunbathing, swimming and snapping pictures. There couldn’t be a more glamorous place to spend a romantic afternoon.
(If your partner is enamoured with how the other half live, they’ll also be thrilled to hear that celebrities often frequent this beach and stay in the highly-rated resorts nearby.)
Practical Information:
- You can sail right up to the edge of the bay, where you’ll find many other yachts resting.
- Hotel Tahiti is just beside the beach, and there’s a private portion of sand just for guests. They also have a gourmet restaurant, so if you want to pamper yourselves with a night indoors, then this is a good place for it.
- You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas here.
- This is one of the busier beaches, so it’s better if you’re looking for a lively social beachgoing experience.
4. Papeno’o Beach
Perfect for: Friends
If you’re sailing with a sporty group, you will all love Papeno’o Beach. What makes this one of the best beaches in Tahiti? It’s maybe the most popular spot on the island for surfing – the waves break softly here, making it easy for people of every experience level to give it a try.
Best of all, any friends who aren’t interested (but still want to be part of the fun) can enjoy the shallow and clear lagoon, great for swimming and snorkeling.
Practical Information:
- Papeno’o Beach is a few miles northwest of Papeete, the vibrant capital of French Polynesia. You can anchor there if you want, or (minding the anchoring restrictions), moor just off the beach and approach on a dinghy.
- There are lots of beautiful natural attractions nearby to build into your itinerary, like the Papeno’o Valley.
- There are some freshwater showers by the fruit stand for you to use.
- Be careful of the reef below if you’re surfing!
3. Lafayette Beach
Perfect for: Solo Travelers
If you’re finding yourself in Tahiti and looking for secluded destinations to help you completely escape from everyday life, Lafayette Beach is for you. Only a 20-minute walk from Papeete, and yet worlds away, this is perhaps the best beach in Tahiti for a mindful morning.
Recline on the soft volcanic black sand and feel your cares melt away, or visit Pearl Beach Resort to take advantage of their world-class spa.
Practical information:
- The only amenities here are on-site showers, so make sure to pack a lunch if you’re staying a while!
- Lafayette Beach is also great for surfing and boogie-boarding (but the waves get much bigger here than at Papeno’o Beach and there’s no lifeguard appointed, so it’s better for more experienced surfers).
- This is one of the most beautiful places to see the sunset in French Polynesia – time it right, and you could watch the sky burn orange from the deck of your yacht.
2. Venus Point
Perfect for: Families
Another divine black sand beach that everyone will adore, Venus Point is world-famous for a reason. It was from here that Captain James Cook measured the transit of the planet Venus in 1769 – we consider it one of the best beaches in Tahiti because it is a great spot to share this isle’s fascinating history and culture with children.
Enjoy the gorgeous floral scent of the surrounding ylang ylang trees, and make a visit to the lighthouse just up from the sand.
Practical Information:
- Unfortunately anchoring and mooring by Venus Point is prohibited by the local authorities, but there are several nearby marinas you can use.
- Venus Point is located on the northernmost point of Tahiti, in the serene commune of Māhina. There are plenty of places to stock up on supplies here.
- There are lots of amenities on the beach. People sell local Tahitian wares from stalls. There’s also a gift shop, and a snack hut selling fries and ice cream.
- It’s supervised swimming here, so you can trust that your kids are under a watchful eye if they play in the water.
1. Moorea Maire Beach
Perfect for: Couples
You can find Moorea Maire Beach on the atmospheric island of Motu Tiahura. This is a hotspot for marine lovers – you can spot sharks and stingrays swimming leisurely in even the shallowest waters. As a popular spot for beachside weddings and romantic ceremonies, it’s only natural that we consider this the best beach in Tahiti for couples, and one of the best beaches to visit in general!
Practical Information:
- With massage spas and beach bars not far, everything you need for a lovely romantic evening is at your fingertips. If you’re treating your partner to a celebratory meal, we recommend visiting Coco Beach Restaurant afterwards for seafood and cocktails.
- Please make sure not to feed or touch the sharks and stingrays. It’s an important aspect of responsible travel and eco-friendly sailing to leave the wildlife alone.
- Venture further away from the beach and, in between Motu Tiahura and Motu Fareone, you’ll find Taihura Coral Garden. You could stop here to admire the wide, colorful reef before a romantic picnic on Motu Fareone Beach.
FAQs
Which part of Tahiti has the best beaches?
While you can find incredible beaches all over Tahiti, we think the best beaches can be found on the northwest side of the island, around Māhina and Papeete. This is also where some of the largest communes are, so there’s plenty to do if you’re ready to head inland.
Can you swim in the ocean in Tahiti?
You can swim in the ocean in Tahiti – in fact, we encourage it! Enjoy the crystal-clear azure waters to your heart’s fullest, snorkel amidst schools of fish in lively coral reefs, and even dive for pearls. Make sure to bring your sea shoes though – you can find our Tahiti packing list here.
Does Tahiti have black sand beaches?
Tahiti is famous for having a number of black sand beaches – these are the result of old eruptions from the island’s volcanoes, and the volcanic rock eroding over thousands of years. Popular black sand beaches in Tahiti include Lafayette Beach,
Where do The Moorings’ guests recommend for beachgoing?
If you’re on a yacht charter with the Moorings, you’ll travel all over French Polynesia – stops include Bora Bora, Raiatea and Taha’a. Many of our guests recommend visiting the La Taha’a Beach Resort by Pearl Resorts. It’s a luscious place to soak up the sun, and there are expansive coral gardens off the shore ready to be explored.
Read this customer blog to learn more: Taha’a: French Polynesia’s Best Kept Secret.
Discover Tahiti with The Moorings
Whether you’re after romance, adventure, or just time to unwind, Tahiti’s beaches are something special—and even better when you reach them by yacht. Start planning your charter today and see the islands the best way: from the water.
To start planning your Tahiti sailing vacation, build a quote today.
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