The Islands of Tahiti are where the sky meets the sea (or the land of Moana to your kids). Laura Begley Bloom and her family discover the long flight to the French Polynesian paradise is worth every moment.
When you think about the Islands of Tahiti, visions of overwater bungalows and honeymooning couples spring to mind. These exotic, far-flung islands have been on my own personal bucket list as a romantic escape ever since I worked at Bride’s magazine, reporting on honeymoons around the world. But now that I’m the mother of a seven-year-old, I’ve been viewing the world in a whole new way, introducing my daughter to diverse cultures and immersive experiences. And while there are plenty of honeymooners here, I can’t think of a place that’s more enriching for kids than the Islands of Tahiti.
Your children will be able to have close-ups with some of the most magnificent animals on earth, immerse themselves in a rich Polynesian culture, have a blast with high-octane adventures and slow down and appreciate what life in paradise really means. Best of all, taking a holiday in the Islands of Tahiti means you’ll have time as a family to connect and bond in ways you never thought possible.
Then there’s the Moana effect. The sumptuously animated Disney movie has brought the little-known Islands of Tahiti to the screens of millions of children, who now know the significance of a conch shell, or how islanders discovered new lands by following the stars. Suddenly the time difference and potentially epic journey time aren’t such big obstacles when you can tell your child they’re about to meet Maui in real life. You’re welcome!
The best of the best Islands of Tahiti for family holidays
The first stop on any trip is the main island of Tahiti. Home to the international airport, all travellers pass through this island, and it’s one of the best for families, from the buzzing capital city of Papeete to the rugged landscapes beyond. I’ve heard some critics claim that you should spend as little time here as possible and just use it as a jumping-off point to get to the rest of the Islands of Tahiti, but I disagree. Families can easily spend an entire week exploring the largest island in French Polynesia. I loved visiting the local markets and hunting for black pearls. Though not all Tahitian pearls are actually black, a more accurate term would be ‘Tahitian cultured pearls’, as they come in a rainbow of hues. Other highlights include dining on the range of cuisines at roulottes (food trucks) in the centre of Papeete and seeing the enchanting Polynesian show at the InterContinental Tahiti. A day trip to the sacred waterfalls in the Papeno’o Valley is a must, too. My advice? Rent yourself a Tahiti Homes villa to get into the local spirit and experience the islands at your own pace.
On the other side of the main island is little Tahiti Iti, where you can visit Teahupoo — a spot for one of the most famous waves in the surfing world. It’s worth the journey – we rented bikes and pedalled around the area, stopping in at a local church where the town mayor welcomed us and we were serenaded by a choir wearing elaborate floral crowns.
Find out more about family holidays in the Islands of Tahiti
Rent a villa and discover the Islands of Tahiti at your own pace
A short ferry ride from the main island of Tahiti, Moorea makes quite the impression with its dramatic mountain skyline. This is the only island accessible from the main island by ferry, making it ideal for families since you don’t need to take a flight to get here. We stayed in a huge oceanfront villa rented from Tahiti Homes, which was equipped with kayaks to canoe through the lagoon and a massive kitchen, where we prepared meals using fresh ingredients from the local markets and fruit from roadside stands. Moorea is best appreciated in motion, and when you’re ready to get out and explore, you’ll find plenty of activities such as all-terrain vehicle tours and swimming with humpback whales. The island is also home to the Coral Gardeners, a group that teaches kids about the ecosystem and helps save the reefs by showing visitors how to plant their own coral.
Taha’a is one of the most perfectly relaxed Islands of Tahiti
If you’re looking for a more relaxed holiday, Taha’a is a small island made for families who want to take things slow. It has that laid-back local vibe, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do. You’ll find a lagoon full of colourful coral in your front garden, as well as pearl farms and vanilla plantations where kids can have hands-on learning experiences and adults can do a little souvenir shopping.
