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Tahiti

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

Couple in Tahiti

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.)

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4. Papeno’o Beach

Perfect for: Friends

Snorkeling in the BVI

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. 

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3. Lafayette Beach

Perfect for: Solo Travelers

Best Beaches in Tahiti

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.

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2. Venus Point

Perfect for: Families

Family

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.

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1. Moorea Maire Beach

Perfect for: Couples

Couple in Tahiti

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! 

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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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