If you’ve always heard that Tahiti is paradise, I will confirm that it is true! Many years ago, I put Tahiti at the top of my list of destinations where I wanted to travel. I finally made it there in February 2024. So why did it take me so long to get there?
Tahiti is marketed as a romantic destination for couples, especially honeymooners. If you are not traveling with a romantic partner, do you really want to be surrounded by people who are? I would be traveling solo, so it was important to me to find the right situation. Two years ago, I stumbled across a cruise with Oceania that sounded perfect. I was aware of other small cruise ships that went to Tahiti, but they were really out of my price range. Even paying the single supplement with Oceania made the trip expensive, but within reach.
As you consider planning a trip to Tahiti, it is important to research weather patterns. The wet season can be very bad. The week prior to my trip, there was actually a typhoon that literally washed out the cruise right before mine. Can you imagine going all the way there and then not being able to get to Bora Bora due to severe weather? It also caused a mud slide on the main island of Tahiti, which blocked some roads. I was very lucky to have great weather for my whole trip, even though wet season does extend through February.
I flew into Papeete on the main island of Tahiti. There are direct flights from Los Angeles, and since you don’t cross the international date line (yes, Tahiti is directly south of Hawaii), you depart the US in the morning and arrive in Tahiti late afternoon. I chose to stay at athe Hilton Resort for two nights prior to the cruise, which also allowed me to take an island tour on my one full day there. Learning about the history and culture of French Polynesia, and seeing the beautiful scenery was a wonderful way to kick off the trip.
The cruise was for 10 nights of island hopping around the Marquesas including Moorea, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, Raiatea, and Nuka Hiva. Exploring lush islands and water activities filled each day. That is really what you go to Tahiti to experience. Day trips usually included several stops to go snorkeling, some time relaxing on a motu, which is the Polynesian word for island, a lunch of traditional Tahitian food, along with some entertainment. While there were similarities, each day was like a dream.
Snorkeling with stingrays and black tipped reef sharks was definitely a highlight! The coral and tropical fish were also amazing. Life under the sea is so serene, and I sometimes felt like an intruder.
A couple of notes for your Tahitian holiday. It is important that you have a good pair of water shoes to wear, as a cut from the coral can result in a bad infection. I also encourage you to use sunscreen, and I mean a lot of it! You might also consider wearing water clothes that filter out UV rays. I thought I was being reasonably careful, but still ended up with a bad sunburn. Hey. It’s easy to get lost in your surroundings and forget about re-applying sunscreen.
If you are in a romantic relationship, and want a dream vacation, Tahiti is certainly a great option. Think overwater bungalows. But if you don’t have a romantic partner to travel with, Tahiti is still a great option. Unless you’re not interested in experiencing paradise.