18 Bucket List Experiences You Can’t Miss in Tahiti 

Want to give your children memories that will last forever? Take them to The Islands of Tahiti on an unforgettable trip of a lifetime. In these exotic far-flung islands, your kids will be able to have close-ups with some of the most magnificent animals on earth, immerse themselves in a unique 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 vacation in a place like The Islands of Tahiti means you’ll have time as a family to connect and bond in ways you never thought possible. Here are 18 of the best things to do in Tahiti.

1/18 Swim with Humpback Whales

Just catching a glimpse of a breaching humpback whale is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but if the conditions are right in The Islands of Tahiti, you can actually jump in the water and swim right alongside these majestic creatures. Hop aboard a small boat off the island of Moorea with Corallina Tours and you’ll be provided with snorkels, fins and an unforgettable day.

 2/18 Take an ATV Tour on Moorea

Moorea is arguably one of the most beautiful islands in the area and the best way to take in its jaw-dropping views is on an ATV Tour with Moorea Activities Center. Suitable even for young travelers, you’ll be taken through sprawling pineapple fields and up on lush hillsides with scenic backdrops so beautiful it’s hard to believe they’re even real.

3/18 Sail to Remote Islands on a Private Yacht Charter

The Islands of Tahiti are comprised of 118 islands and atolls scattered across the turquoise Pacific waters. Don’t limit yourself to the usual suspects like Moorea, Bora Bora and Tahiti. The best way to explore some of the more remote islands on your own and find true island bliss is by chartering a yacht or catamaran for the family with Tahiti Yacht Charter. Set sail to some of the lesser visited but no less beautiful islands like Raiatea and Taha’a. Multiple cozy cabins on board make these charters ideal for families and you’ll have the flexibility to hop on and off the boat whenever you please, whether it’s to dive in for a quick snorkel or to explore a new island.

4/18 Snorkel with Manta Rays

Feel like you’re part of the Finding Nemo gang as these shy creatures gracefully glide under and over you. Though they can grow up to 23 feet — across! — there’s nothing to fear when you’re in the water with these gentle giants, mantas are completely harmless.

5/18 Cruise the High Seas on the Paul Gauguin

Want to see the highlights of The Islands of Tahiti and not have to unpack in every location and be hassled with interisland flights and trip planning? Paul Gauguin Cruises is your answer. Aboard the luxurious m/s Paul Gauguin, you’ll visit iconic locations like Bora Bora and discover lesser-known islands like Huahine. And if the idea of being onboard a cruise liner makes you nervous, not to fear — this is a small ship with a maximum of just 332 guests. By the end of a week sailing around the islands, you’ll be singing classic Polynesian melodies with your fellow guests. On some sailings, the m/s Paul Gauguin offers the immersive Moana Explorer program, with hands-on, interactive learning for kids ages 7-15.

6/18 Paddleboard in the Middle of the Pacific

Speaking of hopping off the boat, nothing compares to grabbing a paddleboard and gliding out across the translucent waters to spot coral reefs and fish swimming beneath you. There are so many ways to do this in The Islands of Tahiti. On the m/s Paul Gauguin, there’s a watersports “marina,” a platform that folds down from the back of the ship and allows you to explore right in the middle of the ocean. Yacht charters always stock paddleboards, too so you can hop off the back anytime. Or head to a land-based rental shop, take a paddleboard out for the day and explore to your heart’s content. You won’t find ideal paddling waters like this anywhere else in the world.

7/18 Save the Coral Reefs

A visit to Coral Gardeners on the island of Moorea will give you a better appreciation for coral reefs and how indispensable they are to our ecosystem. You can help make a difference in the world by adopting a coral yourself while you’re there. Not only do you get to name your coral, but you also get to go out and plant it and receive a certificate with its exact coordinates so you can always come back and visit to see how much it’s grown.

8/18 Stargaze in Total Darkness

Thanks to the remote locations of many of the smaller islands of Tahiti, this is the perfect locale for epic stargazing. On a clear night, stars blanket the sky and you can even see the shape of the Milky Way. There’s nothing better than grabbing a blanket and cozying up with the family on the beach or in a hammock to take it all in.

9/18 Swim with Sharks and Stingrays

Daredevils will love diving in with sharks and stingrays via companies like Moana Adventures on Bora Bora. Small blacktip reef sharks and stingrays can be found in shallower waters.  There’s no need to be scared of the shy blacktip reef sharks and friendly stingrays so jump right in with them. For the truly brave, you can also look for tiger sharks with Tikehau Ocean Tour, though we only recommend this for advanced swimmers with an experienced guide.

10/18 Stay at an Overwater Bungalow on Bora Bora

It’s the ultimate Tahitian fantasy: staying in an overwater bungalow on Bora Bora. And surprise — it’s not just for honeymooners. The Four Seasons Bora Bora welcomes pint-sized guests with open arms. Kids will love staying in a bungalow above the neon-blue water and jumping off their private deck for a swim. Families can also splurge on a bungalow with a private plunge pool. With the Kids for All Seasons program, the little ones can go on hermit crab hunts, paint coconuts, learn pareo tying and more.

11/18 Sail with Dolphins

Spend a day out on the water on a scenic boat tour off the coast of the main island of Tahiti with Teahupoo Adventures and there’s a good chance you’ll make some new marine life friends along the way. It’s common for pods of friendly dolphins to swim right up to boats in the area and give visitors a playful splash. They may even follow along with your boat for a while, zooming in and out of the wake. Kids won’t soon forget getting an up-close view of dolphins in the wild.

12/18 Take a Helicopter Ride

Bora Bora is breathtakingly beautiful, but you haven’t seen Bora Bora until you’ve soared over the turquoise- and aquamarine-streaked lagoon and iconic Mount Otemanu in a helicopter. The Polynesian-based Tahiti Nui Helicopters is the only game in town for getting up above it all, running 10- to 30-minute journeys around the atoll. Trust us: It’s worth every penny to get a birds’-eye view of paradise and learn some factoids from the expert pilots that you’d never get on the ground.

13/18 Hike to a Secret Waterfall

Most people who visit the main island of Tahiti tend to stick to the city of Papeete — and that’s a mistake. Instead, opt for a 4×4 safari tour of the stunning Papenoo Valley with Teiva and Tahiti Discovery. You’ll drive past verdant landscapes dotted with thundering waterfalls and get an inside look at the island’s culture with stops at sacred stone temple ruins. A highlight is stopping in an open-air thatched hut to savor a traditional lunch of poisson cru sourced from the surrounding jungle. You’ll also get a chance to hike to a secluded waterfall where you can cool off with a dip in the emerald waters.

14/18 Catch a Polynesian Show

Kids will be captivated by the traditional dancing of Polynesia. Many hotels feature shows along with a meal, but the one that’s the most popular with tourists and locals alike is the Sunday brunch and Polynesian show at the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort & Spa. If you prefer an evening show, the Sofitel also puts on an enchanting performance, along with a seafood dinner buffet.

15/18 See One of the Most Famous Surfing Spots in the World

Surfing enthusiasts won’t want to miss booking a half-day or full-day wave watching tour with Teahupoo Adventures in Tahiti. See Teahupoo, one of the biggest and most famous waves in the world, breaking for yourself and watch surfers try to master catching the perfect wave. For those who want to get in on the action, you can also opt for a surf tour to get up on a board yourself.

16/18 Picnic on a Private Motu

Have you ever heard of motus? These tiny islets are scattered around larger islands such as Bora Bora and Tahiti. One of the best things to do here is to find a private motu that you can make your own for the day and have a Robinson Crusoe-style adventure. On the m/s Paul Gauguin, the ship also has its own motu, where guests can enjoy a Polynesian cookout complete with singalongs and arts-and-crafts (pareo tying, anyone?). Or head out with Moana Adventures, which will set your family up for the day and even host a picnic over the waves. This is way better than any picnic in the park back home.

17/18 Stay in an Open-Air Bungalow on a Remote Private Island

Have your own (much more luxurious) Swiss Family Robinson moment at Ninamu, a private-island retreat featuring exclusive open-air bungalows with multiple bedrooms ideal for families. Go for a walk along the secluded beach, take a paddleboard out to the reef, get friendly with the resident dogs and enjoy pure relaxation. Cell service and Wifi at the resort is spotty, but that just adds to the off-the-grid charm and makes it easier to leave your everyday worries behind in favor of the sunset views from your bungalow hammock.

18/18 Visit a Turtle Sanctuary

What kid wouldn’t love to see happy turtles swimming around in paradise? The Intercontinental Moorea Resort & Spa is home to the Sea Turtle Care Center, a sanctuary run by the non-profit group Te Mana o Te Moana. The team rescues sick and endangered sea turtles and rehabilitates the gentle creatures with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. While the sanctuary is located on the hotel grounds, a visit here is free and open to anyone — not just guests. Your kids will learn all about the life of turtles and appreciate why it is so important to ensure their survival.

By Hannah Freedman, Laura Begley Bloom and Jamie Ditaranto