The globe trotting and wanderlust-inducing family behind EarthyAndy visited the stunning (and highly Instagram-worthy) island of Tahiti and couldn’t get enough. From daring outdoor adventures to taking in scenic views you can’t find anywhere else, there’s plenty of reasons to book a getaway to this warm weather paradise. Here are their picks for the best activities for families you don’t want to miss.
Swimming with the sharks & rays
The sharks and stingrays are completely safe to swim with and there have been no attacks, knowing this put the boys at ease. When we arrived at the spot there were quite a few people in the water, so we went to the edge of the sand bar where we had our own little corner. Shem hopped in first letting the boys know that it was safe. The sharks and rays have this puppy dog kind of feel to them where they are just roaming around in their own environment. Swimming with them is such a powerful experience because you can feel how much the ocean belongs to them and that they are sharing it with us each time we enjoy the ocean. When the boys first jumped in they were nervous, so they took turns clinging on to our backs. When I got in the water Ira jumped on to my back and he would duck his head under water for quick looks coming back up to make sure we were still ok. After about 5 minutes Tama and Ira were so comfortable. Tama was going off on his own trying to swim around with the sharks at the same pace and Ira was trying to pet the sting rays on his own. This is an experience that everyone should understand and appreciate how important the animal life in our ocean is, and to just feel how amazing these creatures are. The bonus is that it’s an activity that the whole family can enjoy.
3 Coco Tiers Hike
The top of this hike is absolutely stunning, this hike is a must if you have an open morning or evening in Moorea! You can see just about every side of Moorea, and the barrier reef that surrounds the island creating so many different shades of blue! We ate snacks that we had packed and played on the top for at least an hour just hanging out and enjoying the view while the boys “parkoured” on a small berm under the tree. Total hike time is 3 hours round-trip and definitely worth it. This hike is good for young children, Ira walked the whole way and there are plenty of places to stop for breaks.
Surfing and Dolphins with Tikanui Smith
As we pulled to the spot to surf, a pod of dolphins started to swim in front of the boat. Tikanui explained that the dolphins like to play with the boats and will swim in front of boats trying to keep up. It was so amazing, there were probably 30 dolphins in the pod and they were jumping and swimming along the side of the boat. Tama and Ira could hardly believe how close we were and how many there were. This is a great tour with great views and if you are looking for waves at any level Tikanui is a great guide and wants everyone to have fun no matter what your level of surfing is.
Zip lining in Opunohu Valley
This is a great stop for the whole family. There are ropes and lines for all ages and it’s a great place to spend the morning or afternoon as its tucked away in the shade of the forest in the valley. There is a small ropes course for kids that are 8 and under and this is where Ira had so much fun. The staff are super friendly and helpful and made the boys feel so comfortable for them to do it on their own. After a short orientation of how to use the lines and clasps you are able to go out on your own and at your own pace. Tama and I did the 8 and older course that took about and hour and a half and Shem and Ira played on the small ropes course and did it at least 6 times! There were only a few other guests while we were there so we took our time and just enjoyed the scenery. The views back in the valley here are unbeatable, everywhere you turn is so pretty! If you’re looking for some fun family time and a break from the sun I highly recommend this spot. They also have horseback rides.
Cultural Performance & Buffet at the Intercontinental
We loved this experience, they had so much fresh produce in the buffet and just such a good variety of it. The chef also knew that we were coming so he prepared a few vegan dishes that were so good. Everyone here is so nice and helpful. The show and buffet is set up on the sand facing the hotel and pool. The show was really fun and entertaining, Shem and I both thought it was the best Polynesian show we’ve seen! All the music to all the dances are performed by a live band. Like all shows, they get audience members to participate, and this is when I hid. The food was amazing and if you have a night open this is definitely worth checking out as its open to everyone.