When traveling in Tahiti, there is a lot to take in from the rich culture and scenery of the island. To make it easier to dive into all of the best Tahiti has to offer, Monoi Road was established as a way to guide tourism to culturally significant places.
Monoi oil, originally utilized by the indigenous Polynesians for religion and medicine, and now utilized as a health and beauty product, is created from Tahiti's national flower, the Tiare flower and locally derived coconut oil - and is only produced in French Polynesia.
Monoi Road is a stunning drive that takes travelers through sites where local agriculture, producers, and artisans all benefit from the Monoi. This is a win-win; Tahitians benefit from your local sustainable travel, and you get to soak up all the beauty Tahiti has to offer in an eco-friendly way. We suggest a driver or self-drive for this to experience all the nooks the island has to offer along the way. Monoi Road includes gorgeous scenery, hikes, and local spots you can stop along the route. Here are five of our favorites:
Papeete Market
Think of this as the best farmer’s market you will experience - and the perfect way to dive into local culture. Local produce and goods set the scene overwhelming the senses in sight, taste, and smell. While you’re there, you must try a warm Firi Firi, the Polynesian version of a doughnut. And of course, don’t forget to buy your very own bottle of Monoi Oil. Make sure to talk to the vendors and ask what products are locally sourced!
Paofai Gardens
These are more than just gardens. Here you will find a super accessible park with paved walkways on the waterfront. You can walk or rent a segway to explore the area that is walking distance to Maison de la Culture, a local cultural center, Monument aux Morts a French and Polynesian Memorial, and The Robert Wan Pearl Museum, the world’s only pearl museum. There is no wrong time of day to visit Paofai, as there is something for everyone!
Les Trois Cascades de Tefa’aruma’i (The Three Waterfalls of Faarumai)
The three waterfalls are gorgeous and it’s almost shocking how easy it is to stumble upon the beautiful sight of them. A clearly set path and a fairly easy walk itself, a walk through the greenery of the valley leads you to the waterfalls, with signage telling the local tale of how they came to be. While we suggest a driving service or self drive for the whole route, there is a bonus if you park further than the parking lot itself: one of the natural blow holes along the coast! It’s within walking distance of the trail entrance and a once-in-a-lifetime geological occurrence.
Plage Vaiava (Vaiava Beach; also referred to as PK18)
We’ll leave it up to you to decide if Tahiti’s white sand beaches or black sand beaches are more beautiful (hint: there’s no wrong answer), but we can’t pass up Vaiva Beach. If you are a beach-goer, this is a must hit spot. The waters are shallow and there are less waves, making it a local favorite. It's the perfect mid-day ocean dip, picnic spot on the beach, or a snorkel of the area.
Tavai Spa by Pearl Resort
All that traveling and you need a break? The perfect solution is Tavai Spa. As part of the Pearl Resort, you already step onto the property and feel a sense of calm. The spa, located in the gardens of the resort, has a variety of services to offer. Most importantly, they utilize local oils (coconut, monoi, etc.) to honor the Polynesian traditions of healing through the power of Tahiti’s natural resources. The most recommended service is The Bora Bora massage, but you can see here for all of the services offered.
Honorable mentions:
A tour at a Monoi Oil factory: We suggest Laboratoire de Cosmétologie du Pacifique Sud (South Pacific Cosmetology Laboratory). Tours are small groups explaining the process, importance, and uses of Monoi Oil and a chance to make your own formula of Monoi Oil.
Stop to see the sights of Marae Arahurahu Temple: Uncovered in the 1950s by archaeologists, this site is of sacred temples/altars (also known as Ahu) and statues (or Moias). A local, indigenous guide is best to describe Ancient Polynesian history and culture associated with the area.
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