Tahiti, French Polynesia

Halfway on our cruise from Honolulu in Hawai'i, USA to Sydney, Australia the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship docked in Papeete, the capital city of Tahiti and French Polynesia. As we did not have to disembark we had a whole day to spend on the island. We spent the morning walking around in the city, enjoying French bakeries and the great atmosphere of this tropical place. In the afternoon we went on an excursion that took us around the island.

All photo's can be purchased on various materials through my shop on artheroes.com.

Below are all the photos related to this travel experience including the relevant link to the shop.

Plage de Taharuu

Plage de Taharuu, one of Tahiti's natural treasures on the island of Tahiti Nui in French Polynesia. Taharuu Beach is on Tahiti's southern coast in Papara, characterized by its volcanic black sands, leafy green palm trees and its width.

Junk or art

Junk or art? Nobody really seemed to know. There was no-one else around at Plage de Taharuu on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. It made for a nice photo though.

Barely standing up

This young man can barely stand up while surfing at Plage de Taharuu on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. There were hardly any people on the beach but lots of young people try out surfing in these awesome waves.

Black sand bay

The bay at the end of Plage de Taharuu on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia is truly beautiful. The combination of black sand, blue water and white waves is pretty unique as there aren't a lot of places in the world like this.

Watching the waves

Watching the waves on the black sand at Plage de Taharuu on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. There are some serious waves here which makes it an ideal location for surfing. One of the best beaches on the west coast of Tahiti Nui.

Falling water

Falling water at the Vaipahi waterfall in the Water gardens of Vaipahi, located in the small commune of Teva I Uta on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. Although relatively small it's a nice place to relax.

Tropical garden corner

Strolling through the botanical garden which is part of the Water gardens of Vaipahi in the small commune of Teva I Uta on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. This is the tropical garden corner.

West Indian jasmine

The botanical garden which is a part of the Water gardens of Vaipahi in the small commune of Teva I Uta on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia contains many amazing flower species. This here is the West Indian jasmine which was our favourite.

Another look at the waterfall

We loved the water gardens of Vaipahi quite a lot. So much that we visited the Vaipahi waterfall twice. The gardens are located in the small commune of Teva I Uta on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia.

Pointe Vénus lighthouse

We really like the Pointe Vénus lighthouse at Pointe Vénus on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia.

This lightouse remains the only one of Tahiti. Generally known as “Teara o Tahiti” in reo maohi, this square tower of 8 floors and 25 meters high, was edified of rubble stone and corals by Thomas Stevenson helped by masons coming from Mangareva.

Lighthouse window

We really liked the lighthouse at Pointe Vénus on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. This is one of the lighthouse 'windows' where some vegetation has attached itself.

Waiting for passengers

Some boats for rent at Pointe Vénus on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. We loved how they were placed on poles of some sort and wondered how people would get them up there. They were clearly waiting for passengers.

Mont 'Orohena covered in clouds

While exploring the wonderful area at Pointe Vénus on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia we got this great view on Mont 'Orohena covered in clouds. The mountains in French Polynesia always attract a lot of clouds.