Home > Papeete > Tahiti Island Tour Including Venus Point, Taharaa View Point and Vaipahi Gardens
USD $65.00
Tahiti Island Tour Including Venus Point, Taharaa View Point and Vaipahi Gardens
Papeete, French Polynesia
Discover the highlights of Tahiti on a 5-hour tour of the natural and cultural sites on the island. Your expert local guide shares informative commentary as you visit Venus Point, the Arahoho blowhole, Marae Arahurahu, Vaipahi Garden and Taharaa Lookout. Learn about the history of French Polynesia, soak up panoramic island views, and visit gorgeous temples and botanic gardens on this afternoon tour from Papeete.
After pickup from your hotel, set out to explore the island of Tahiti, traveling by air-conditioned coach with an experienced local guide. Your first stop will be on the west coast where you will visit the famous Marae Arahurahu, a relgious site dedicated to the ancient gods where important ceremonies used to take place.
For manicured landscapes, visit the Vaipahi Garden, where you can wander around a tree-shaded wonderland of waterfalls, ponds and colorful tropical flowers. Your guide can help you identify the plant life as you take in this botanical gem.
Visit Venus Point, located on Matavai Bay. The stop got its name from Captain James Cook, who observed the 1769 transit of Venus from this point as part of his work for the Royal Society. As you walk around the black-sand beach, note the monument that commemorates Cook's work here.
Next, cruise along scenic roads to arrive at the Arahoho blowhole where, when there's a big swell, water shoots skyward, resulting in what might be a free shower courtesy of the sea! Enjoy the beauty of the black-sand beaches and turquoise sea, a popular surfing spot.
Afterwards, visit Taharaa View Point for breathtaking panoramic views over the island before being returned to your hotel in Papeete where your tour ends.
This lady Pawa was amazing - we toured solid for 5 hours and saw everything we were supposed to see - she was native to Papeete, so she shared a lot of history and information that a local would know !!! Near the end of the tour, she even sang a beautiful song to us - she first told us the meaning and then sang the song in Tahitian language !!! I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TOUR TO EVERYONE !!!
Review by: madams21, March 2018
A great trip going all around the main island. Wish there could have been one or two more short photo only stops. Guide/driver Cookie was very good and knowledgeable. Recommend the trip.
Review by: Francesca K, March 2018
Best tour I could find. A interesting tour with a few stops, but mostly by van and pictures were hard to take as van moves quickly. Itinerary accurate, so some places of interest have been left out of this tour. Our cruise offers a tour that completes the sights of interest on this island. Tour guide, Cookie, very nice. Gaugain Museum is closed and has been for years. No original art work there anyway. Looking forward to the Museum of the Tahitian people. I have read it is well worth seeing.
Review by: Helene S, March 2018
On the plus side, we saw some sights around the island, including a black sand beach, waterfalls, unusual plants. blowholes. We were dropped off at the airport, which was the destination we all wanted._br/_ On the negative side, the trip was supposed to be five hours, but we were dropped off after four and a half hours. During the tour, the driver stopped at a gas station and at an ATM machine. It was difficult to understand her because of her strong accent, the fact that she spoke fast, and also because she did not have a microphone. She did not accompany us when we were dropped off at sightseeing spots.
Review by: Susan B, February 2018
Good tour, learned a lot about Tahiti.
Review by: lynn b, February 2018
We saw a lot of the island in a short time and covered most of the places to see.Sadly no time to sit on any of the beaches.
Review by: Brad K, February 2018
This was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon circling the island with our gracious tour guide, Cookie. We only had 4 people in our tour group, so we were able to converse with Cookie, didnt feel rushed at any of the sites, and saw the sites promised, plus a few others. Our guide told bout his family and had a nice way about him. Would definitely r3commend, especially if you get. Okie as a guide.
Review by: Margaret E, February 2018
The tour guide was wonderful. He was friendly, polite and well spoken. We were very pleased with his commentary and the stops where he _br/_ generously shared a summary and a bit of personal experience._br/_ We felt that we had received a good review of Tahiti Nui and gained more information about Tahiti iti. The guide drew the route on my map and explained the distances involved.
Review by: Kathleen R, February 2018
Excellent half day tour of Tahiti island. Our guide was on time at pick up, well informed and gave good commentary on island highlights and some good tips. The explanations regarding each stop were very complete and he always told us what was happening next. Cookie was a very caring guide and put the well-being of his guests first at all times. We learned so much about Tahiti on this compact tour. It is a good option for anyone who has an afternoon free after returning to Papeete from other islands. We also like the pick up location and drop off very close to our vacation rental.
Review by: John O, February 2018
Beautiful scenery but that was about it._br/_ Lacked organisation.
Review by: Samuel T, February 2018
The only redeeming grace of this excursion was the conversation with the driver
Review by: James T, February 2018
Tour guide Cookie was excellent and very knowledgeable. Unfortunately it rained however we were able can to see all the sights listed. The group was small, just 7 and given this we had a pleasant afternoon.
Review by: James K, January 2018
Tour comprehensive--Cookie is excellent tour guide
Review by: Jean-Guy D, January 2018
We were disappointed because we assumed Tahiti had more to offer. The tour guide was fine, we made few stops but would had like to see beaches. We could had rented a car and drive around the island ourselves.
Review by: Ann W, December 2017
Cookie was an excellent tour guide. Very knowledgeable and with a great personality.
Review by: emwpage, December 2017
Our cruise ship docked in Papeete and we were advised to wait outside the Tahiti Nui Office. As this was a Sunday, the office was shut and no one to confirm our presence. However, our air conditioned coach arrived and as we had the e vouchers Cookie our driver and guide and comedian let us on. Whilst the tour took us all the way round the coast ot the main part of the island, the view point was not exactly up the mountain. Cookie was an entertaining driver who was very informative. Good value for money when compared with cruise ship prices.
Review by: emabot, December 2017
The tour was good with a good driver but Tahiti was a disappointment as it appeared rundown and had seen better days.
Review by: Dan W, November 2017
Our guide was very good and give us lots of info on the island. Would highly recommend this tour.
Review by: John W, November 2017
Good tour. Circle the island. Comfortable air-conditioned bus.
Review by: Carmen, November 2017
Great tour!
Review by: Christine B, November 2017
This tour was well worthwhile. Tahiti is very beautiful but limited in its tourist attractions. This tour covers what is available in a comprehensive manner. Our guide was fluent in English and French. He was also informative and had a great sense of humour.Highly recommended
Review by: Richard A, November 2017
After a slow start due to the mix up of meeting points and other problems the tour was good and the tour guide informative. The island stops were no good for anyone using a wheelchair.
Review by: CYNTHIA C, November 2017
It was good but I wish we had done this tour the first day instead of the last we toured the island and saw many of the sites that I would have liked to visit. Also, the driver was pointing out landmarks but he was driving so fast we couldn't even see them. However, the sites that we did stop were beautiful and good photo stops. Also, he spoke good English. I would recommend this tour on the first day so that you know where you want to visit for a longer period of time.
Review by: Hans-Georg F, November 2017
Really good.
Review by: Roy J, November 2017
This was a great tour. It was jammed packed with things to see around the island. I wish the tour was 6 hours instead of the 4 hours. The tour guide was excellent.
Review by: Neville B, October 2017
We were instructed by email to meet outside the Tahiti Nui Travel Office at Vaima Shopping Centre across from the Cruise Ship Pier. On arrival as with a few others we found the travel office closed and our guide turned up about 15 minutes or more late. By the time we were led to our tour bus and waited for some others to find us, we had already lost some of our tour time._br/_ The Tour Guide was very knowledgeable and pleasant._br/_ Although it was lightly raining, our stop at Marae Arahurahu was very interesting and historic. We found the Vaipahai Gardens relaxing and we were able to take photo memories with us. The down point was that we were rushed to leave and had very little time to visit the amenities or gift shop. Again it was sprinkling rain at the Arahoho Blow Hole and the highlight was when we saw several whales frolicking out to sea! The views from the Taharaa View Point were spectacular._br/_ Due to the late start, it was obvious that we were being hurried to make up time and although there was talk about the peak hour traffic, we reluctantly arrived back to Papeete a bit early.
Review by: gazza, October 2017
we really enjoyed this trip. the weather was not good saw all of Tahiti.
Review by: Joanne R, October 2017
Not a bad way to get an overview of Tahiti Nui. Guide was quite good but be warned there is a lot of time on the coach. Some muttering about the commentary not always flowing and we were sometimes confused as to our whereabouts on the map we were supposedly following. Stops at places of interest was for 15-20 minutes duration and seemed rushed. The highlight was at the blowhole not because of the blowing of the water but the presence of a couple of whales one of which fully breached out of the water!_br/_ Also the Gaugain museum was closed and a pity because it would have been one of the highlights.
Review by: Dr Paula B J, August 2017
Excellent, informative and funny driver/tour guide.
Review by: tomecool, August 2017
We arrived in the parking lot 45 minutes before the tour was to take place, no one from Viator identified themselves and no vehicle with the Viator name appeared anywhere, including the 2 of us there were 4 other people from our cruise on this tour, they made it on the tour as the bus left without us, our names were not called out and no signage from Viator......this was very upsetting, a representative from the bus company that runs all the major tours spoke with us!...... after we approached him and he found us 2 seats on another tour which we were very thankful for, be careful when booking tours ....this was our 7th cruise and we have never had a problem before, this was the first time booking through Viator.
Review by: John A, July 2017
Great tour. Knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide. recommend.
Review by: Jayne O, June 2017
Cookie was a great guide and we learned a lot about the native people and island. Would highly recommend.
Review by: Nancy L W, May 2017
Our guide was Cookie. He was humorous, knowledgeable, and informative. I can't say enough about how great he was. The tour was amazing and we were introduced to the beautiful island of Tahiti, its history, and its landmarks. We loved every minute, a must do tour. The day was beautiful and everything we saw was spectacular.
Review by: Carrie, May 2017
The 4-hr Papeete Tour was excellent. Our driver/tour guide was knowledgeable and the best part of it was that he dropped us at the airport after the tour with all our luggage. He was prompt in picking us up at the Tahiti Nui Travel office and loaded our luggage. We're really satisfied and glad we booked Viator, picking us up at the airport 5/9 and the tour, taking us back to the airport 5/19.
Review by: onishkoh, May 2017
This was a nice overview of Tahiti island, which is very beautiful. The tour was on a big air-conditioned coach which was a plus, since it was very hot there. During the second part of the tour we got hit by the rain, and once again it was nice to be in an inclosed bus to hide from the rain. Cookie did a good job driving us around the island and stopping at some historic and picturesque places. It was a good tour, but I wish the tour guide would have had a bit more personality to make this tour more exciting. It just came across like another day on the job for him. We had some better tour guides that would make jokes or tell a story, which made the tour more memorable. Overall though this was a pretty nice tour.
Review by: Roger J, May 2017
We took this cruise before we took a cruise. As we only had a short time, it gave us an excellent introduction to Tahiti. The guide was very knowledgeable and share information about the island and Polynesian culture. We would recommend this tour as a great intro to Tahiti.
Review by: timmer, May 2017
Coming off a cruise ship, we were told to meet the tour bus at a local restaurant at 1:10. Luckily the tour office was next door. I had to check 4 times to find out why the bus had not arrived 30 minutes after the scheduled time. Finally someone made a call. The bus was across the busiest street in Papeete. We went across the street and nothing was obvious until I spotted an small sign in a bus window that said Viator. We got on the bus and the guide said they were waiting for 6 more people. I realized she was describing others who had been waiting at the restaurant as well. We finally got them and left almost 50 minutes after the scheduled time. This excursion is a lot of driving with few stops. The guide described mostly her personal crusade for unwed mothers on the island. The highlight was the blow hole where the action of the waves shoot spray through a cavern made by the action of the water and make a whoosh sound as the spray makes a grand display. Our delayed start did, however, allow us to time our arrival at sunset point perfectly to watch the sun drop below the ocean's vanishing point.
Review by: Diana t, April 2017
Really good tour. once again reliant on hotel staff sorting out pickup venue and time. Said on paperwork that pickup at hotel. This was not so and Viator could have told us pickup was at tour office.
Review by: Jennifer A, April 2017
Booked this tour for our one day in Pape'ete on a cruise. Tour did not match the description on the Viator web-page. Chose tour because it stated it went to the Taharaa View Point and Marae Arahurahu. Did not go to either. When we queried driver after driving past turn-off to Marae Arahurahu he wouldn't answer our questions and told my husband he was rude for asking. Later the driver made what we felt was an inappropriate comment aimed at embarrassing my husband in front of other passengers. Tour advertised at five hours - back at ship in approx. four hours. Only opportunity to see these things now gone. Would never use TAHITI NUI TRAVEL again. However, full marks to Viator for their very prompt response to our negative experience - excellent after-sales service.
Review by: deecoleman, April 2017
This was a good tour of the island. Very informative. The tour guide was very talkative and knowledgeable about the culture. This took up a lot of time before our flight. I would include a stop to pick up snacks. It's long tour without food.
Review by: KMA P, March 2017
Went all around the Island on this tour. Not much of interest to see. Lot of time in the bus. The gardens were closed. Guide very shocked. View point ok. Overall not worth doing. Have tour of the town instead.
Review by: Natalie L, March 2017
Overall, a decent tour. The guide, Cookie was knowledgable enough. The minibus is older and not very comfortable for such a long journey, especially if you and #39;re on the tall side. Vaipahi Gardens was closed, which was disappointing because there was nothing to replace it on the tour.
Review by: lobo012847, February 2017
A good way to see the high spots of Papeete if you are cruising. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommended!
Review by: Jay, February 2017
This was the perfect tour to go on after disembarking from our cruise by 9:00 A.M. but not flying out until 10:30 P.M._br/_ Bernie picked us up exactly at the scheduled time and gave us a very detailed, interesting tour throughout Papeete. Seeing the cave and the blowhole was a very special addition to the places advertised. The bus was air-conditioned and comfortable. I highly recommend it.!
Review by: Patricia A. P, February 2017
The guide was informative and personable. We didn't see the Arapaho Blowhole that was listed as one of the sights, which we were looking forward to seeing. Another issue was not with the actual tour itself. We had booked the tour for a Sunday, because we were arriving on Saturday morning. When we called to confirm our time for pickup at our hotel 24 hours in advance as advised by our voucher we were told that the tour doesn't operate on Sundays!! Not sure how that happened when our voucher clearly stated the day and date. Fortunately, there were 2 openings for that afternoon and we took the tour then.
Review by: John H, February 2017
The tour van was old and dirty. The tour stops were just ok. The guide was also just ok.
Review by: Diane P, January 2017
Nice to get a tour of the entire island with many photo stops. Our driver was very good but definitely not a guide or travel expert for his area. For us the tour would ave been more enjoyable if the driver/guide had given us some idea of the itinerary we were going to follow as well as point out facts that are unique to the island of Tahiti.
Review by: gmperri55, December 2016
We found everything as it should be - the meeting point was easily located, the guide was very friendly and imparted a good amount of local knowledge. We really had no complaints at all and would recommend this tour.
Review by: dennismbullard32, December 2016
The tour guide was outstanding and showed us everything we signed up for and more.
Review by: HELEN C, November 2016
Overall tour good for the price considering Tahiti is quite expensive. Driver was great but he did not have headpiece so we found it hard to hear what he was saying at times as we were sitting at the back of the vehicle. But very happy overall, thank you Viator!!
RSS Feed