Faarumai waterfall descending through Tahiti's lush vegetation

East Coast · Half-day tour

East Coast Waterfall Tour

Discover Tahiti’s east coast, from black-sand beaches and ocean viewpoints to the waterfalls of Faarumai.

Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 31 miles / 50 km
Departures: 9:00 AM or 1:30 PM
Pick-up: Hotel or cruise port
Effort: No hiking & No swimming

Places to see
along the coast.

Starting in Papeete, your tour follows the coast. William may adapt the stops to your interests, the time available and conditions on the day.

1Taharaa Lookout Point
2Matavai Bay, black sand beach
3Point Venus & Mahina Lighthouse
4Arahoho Blowhole
5Faarumai Waterfalls

Map of Tahiti showing the east coast tour route from Papeete to Tiarei — The east coast route from Papeete

Suggested stop 1 / 5
Taharaa Lookout Point
A first look at the coastline, with Moorea on the horizon.
From Taharaa Lookout Point, the view opens across Matavai Bay, the north coast of Tahiti and, on a clear day, Moorea. The curve of the bay brings the green hills and the sea into one broad panorama. Take a moment to enjoy the contrast between the nearby slopes and the open horizon before continuing along the east coast.
Suggested stop 2 / 5
Matavai Bay, black sand beach
Black volcanic sand and a bay woven into Tahiti’s history.
At the shore of Matavai Bay, dark volcanic sand meets the water beneath Tahiti’s green hills. The sand is a visible reminder of the island’s volcanic origins, and a striking contrast to the pale beaches of the west coast. Visits by European navigators have also given Matavai a place in the history of Pacific exploration. This is a sightseeing stop; the tour does not include swimming.
Suggested stop 3 / 5
Point Venus & Mahina Lighthouse
A lighthouse, a headland and stories of navigation.
Point Venus, in Mahina, brings together a historic lighthouse, coconut palms and a broad black-sand shore. Its name recalls James Cook’s 1769 expedition, which observed Venus passing across the face of the Sun from this area. That event connects this small headland with the history of astronomy and long ocean voyages. Take a moment to admire the lighthouse. From the shore, look towards the island’s mountains and, when visibility allows, Moorea across the water.
Suggested stop 4 / 5
Arahoho Blowhole
Listen to the Pacific at the edge of the volcanic coast.
At Arahoho, waves push into a natural passage in the coastal rock and force air and sometimes spray out through an opening. The rush of air gives this stretch of coast a voice of its own. The dark rock and open ocean also show a rougher side of Tahiti’s coast. Take a moment to enjoy the sea air and watch the waves break against the rocks.
Suggested stop 5 / 5
Faarumai Waterfalls
Waterfalls framed by the green of Faarumai valley.
The Faarumai valley in Tiarei is home to three waterfalls, surrounded by steep rock faces and thick greenery. Vaimahuta is the first waterfall described on the visitor route and the most accessible of the three. Water falls down a dark volcanic cliff, with the trees and the sound of the cascade giving the valley a very different feel from the coast. Pause in the shade and enjoy a refreshing moment surrounded by nature.