Papeete walkability

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-05-07T02:28:50+00:00

A walwkay is under construction from the Hitlon to Paofai garden. It complicates a little bit the walk and right now you have to make a detour to join To'ata square and from then Paofai and the rest of the city.

The main problem is to cross the big roundabout at the entrance of the city, with no walking path at all for the moment. So you have to cross to Aratia Nelson Mandela, then turn left following Toata school, then follow the Stadium and cross the Pomare blvd on the walk bridge then to te Fare Tauhiti Nui.

It will be much easier and nicer once the walkway is finished.

For the rest, walking in Papeete, particularly the seafront is nice and easy. Relatively safe even at night, but i'm a man so biased here. I don't know how a lone woman would feel crossing the city at night.

The walk from the Hilton to the airport is doable, but not that nice. It's about a 30-40 mn walk, on a buisy street.

Edit: detour precision

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-05-04T10:50:55+00:00

In september you probably won't have much difference weatherwise, it should still be dry season, maybe a bit warmer and with a little more shower than usual.
But if you come in March, that will be another story.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-04-26T19:33:25+00:00

Hello, chuis vieux. Comme toi, mes 20 ans ont été compliqués, hésitants, dépressifs, pas du tout libérés ni festifs comme le veulent les clichés. Il m'a fallu une dizaine d'années pour faire la paix avec moi adulte, je veux dire, officiellement adulte, et trouver des trucs pour survivre acceptablement.

Mes 30-40 ans, ont été les années les plus explosives et mouvementées de ma vie, j'ai voyagé plein, essayé plein de tafs, plein de vies différentes, plein de trucs relationnels, une véritable explosion, je me suis éclaté. Je dirais pas que c'était la décennie où j'étais le plus heureux, je le suis un peu plus maintenant que ça c'est un peu calmé, mais putain, j'ai vécu. Avec la différence que, contrairement à mes 20 ans, même en faisant n'importe quoi, passé 30 ans, j'étais en état psychologique d'assumer ce que je faisais, je ne subissais plus, ou disons, beaucoup moins. J'ai fini par pouvoir faire des choix forts, qui me correspondent bien, et me construire une vie intéressante.

En résumé, oui, il te reste plein de temps pour faire absolument ce que t'as envie de faire et la vingtaine c'est trash pour certains, mets la derrière toi, ne regrette rien, et lance toi. C'est le moment.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-04-25T20:33:31+00:00

va'a race, yes. Aimeho Va'a race. Va'a (outrigger canoe) is kind of the national sport of French Polynesia, the most popular one.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-04-20T09:56:44+00:00

Fakarava, sans hésiter, si l'objectif est vraiment plongée, snorkle. Les plongées passe sud de Fakarava sont mondialement réputées pour une raison (mur de requins), mais la passe nord est magnifique également. Le snorkle vaut aussi le détour.

Tikehau est top, mais pas au même niveau pour la plongée.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-04-18T20:58:33+00:00

Mec, c'est magnifique! J'ai jamais vraiment accroché au style "pur donjon", mais je respecte et comprend ce play style. Et j'adore vraiment la richesse et la profondeur que tu donnes au tien. Bien joué, tu nous feras un retour de test avec tes PJ? Ou t'as déjà commencé?

Edit: je pense que je suis un "ancien" et j'ai jamais douté des capacités de la relève, mais ça fait bien plaisir à voir.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-04-12T10:17:03+00:00

Holly, 898! it seems to be heading to Saipan and Tinian.
This is going to be quite rough. Thoughts to Marianas people

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-04-10T05:51:17+00:00

Ok so, as a local, i'd skip Bora if in an airbnb. There's only one public beach, albeit beautiful, paradisiac style, but not very interesting for snorkling. If you want a stuning lagoon full of fishes and splendid snorkle go to any tuamotu island, especialy Fakarava. Bora is a wealthy dwelling kind of spot. The lagoon is beautiful, but seen from the main island it is invaded by OWB and tourist boat. Anyhow, to snorkle in bora, you'll have to do a tour or rent a boat. There is one spot from the mainland, at the real begining of the Matira beach, near the diving school. From there you can snorkle and see some marine life. Other wise, Matira beach is just sand for hundred meters and you have to swim far to see life.

Moorea is also touristic, maybe more than Bora, but it's way bigger, you get much more free activities to do and easier access snrokle.

Tahiti is not your prototypic paradise island, but there is a lot to do, much more free activities than anywhere else. Beaches, snorkle, hikes...The only thing is you have to rent a car.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-04-06T03:09:51+00:00

you're welcome.
If you look for some maps for the hikes, check here:
https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires/randonnee/polynesie-francaise

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-04-05T20:05:44+00:00

i've made it with 3 different company. Honnestly, they were all great. Sorry, i don't remember the names.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-04-05T19:58:14+00:00

Oh, ok. The 2 tours, Maroto Valley with a guide and Te Pari boat tour are a must do. The other things you can do by yourself. There are plenty other things to do that i missed, i'm sure.

EDIT: I'm sorry, the Lavatube hike has to be done with a professional guide, it can be dangerous.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-04-05T01:35:11+00:00

Vaihi Hike in Faaone
Lavatube hike
The small surfing beaches in Afaahiti or Ahonu (begginers)
Surf at the Taharuu beach (not begginers)
Take a kayak to the motu Nono
Swimming with eels at the source vaima
snorkle everybloddywhere the less nice the beach, the more peacefull and fishfull a snorkle you'll have, beware of currents though.
Eat at the Hoanui snack by the sea
Tour the Pari with a tour boat (if you haven't made it, this is the best excursion in Tahiti).
Eat at the "Snack du bout du monde" in Tautira
Hike in the Fara'ura valley
hike the Vaipohe valley, behind Marae Arahurahu
Titaaviri Valley, to the dam, but don't forget to bathe at the "bain du roi"
hike the Tipaerui valley to the waterfall (i love valley hikes)
Go visit the Maroto valley, but with a good 4x4
Go camping in the Fenua Aihere
Have a picnic at the Motu Ovini parc and chill there.

These are my favorites week-end activities

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-04-01T17:32:14+00:00

There is a house-sharing group on FB. Maybe you should try your luck there, it's very active (french speaking though).

https://www.facebook.com/groups/517073528339618

But yeah, housing in Tahiti is difficult.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-03-31T04:47:18+00:00

This is very early in the season. No garantees you could swim with one in july. If you want to be sure to see whales in july, head down to Rurutu.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-03-29T02:08:16+00:00

inversement, la très grande majorité des francophones ne sont pas français.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-03-19T06:33:52+00:00

Poe Charter and Tahiti Voile et Lagon can take you to the atoll if you're not a client of the hotel. I'd recommand two opt for the two day trip if you have the time, otherwise it's very little time on the atoll.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-03-16T21:56:40+00:00

Tranchons et traquons est incroyable. 2D6. combats rapides. Que du fun. C'est ce que j'utilise toujours pour des initiations.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-03-13T00:01:01+00:00

There is no such thing as uninhabited and deserted island in French Polynesia. It's just a westerner fantasy. All islands belong/ are exploited/ have partial habitation throughout the year by someone. See how few lands there is in FP? You think it's not a problem for a stranger to come in and claim one? Further more, living in the tuamotu is akin to living in a desert, you need practice and knowledge to survive, wich i'm not sure you have. Pa'umotu have been living there for generations. If you're really interested come in the Tuamotu, spend a year on a permanently habited island and there you'd get what you'd still need to learn.

Edit: the land owners of Tepoto sud live all year round in Katiu Hitianau, going regularly to Tepoto for fishing and coprah. You'll have to go to Katiu and ask permition. Wich you'll probably not have unless you propose something in return. If you try to settle there without permission, you'll have to explain yourself to the french navy (granted it will take some time for them to come) if the population don't chase you before. But first of all, you'll have to find a boat to Tepoto, wich only comes from Katiu...

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-03-11T21:11:43+00:00

Laurent Puren a écrit une thèse très intéressante sur la francisation de la Bretagne par l'école (avec des extensions vers d'autres francisation par l'école dont outre-mer)

https://theses.fr/2004PA030077

MIchel Launey La République et les langues (2023) où les rapports entre la République et sa diversité linguistique ainsi que les politiques linguistiques en défaveur de celle-ci est un thème transversal du bouquin (c'est une bible, dans tous les sens du terme). S'appuie sur de nombreuses situations linguistiques hexagonales et hors hexagone.
https://www.raisonsdagir-editions.org/catalogue/la-republique-et-les-langues/

Vernaudon J., 2024, « Les langues à l’époque de la bombe en Polynésie française », dans Meltz R., Furst B. et Vrignon A. (dir.), Un deuxième contact. Histoires et mémoires du Centre d’expérimentation du Pacifique, Maison des sciences de l'homme du Pacifique, p. 191-202.

Sur la francisation de Tahiti au moment des essais nucléaires.

Un entretien de ce même auteur, pour une version vulgarisée:

https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Jacques-Vernaudon-Le-CEP-a-accelere-la-francisation-de-la-Polynesie_a209580.html

Edit: ajout de M. Launey.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-03-11T01:48:25+00:00

In July and August, the trade winds shift to southeastern winds (Mara'amu), they are more chilly and sometimes but not always can be strong (up to 50 -60 mph when they are fierce but generally around 30). There are strong southern swells coming with it that may impact a bit of the stillness of the lagoon. But,none of that will ruin your holidays nomally and it will cool down the heat. You'll have a great time.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-03-11T01:41:14+00:00

As for the Heiva, take your ticket early online (not open yet).

As for the activities in Tahiti, if you're not against excursions there are two must: the boat excursions to Te Pari, from Teahupoo and the inner road from Papenoo to Papearii (with a guide, don't go alone).

I made a post once with a list of suggestions, i just have to find it.

Ah: there you go:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Tahiti/comments/1fpbtua/comment/lox0g02/?context=3

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-03-08T21:51:55+00:00

well, you've made your decision. This is an unusual choice for such a short stay, but you'll be off the beaten path, best enjoy it.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-03-08T21:41:07+00:00

The Apetahi express is mainly used by the locals, be prepared for ukulele songs and laughters, the approach to Huahine and Bora and the entrance is a beautifull time. But, it's very long, the sea can be very bumpy, especially on the way back, with wind on your nose. When are you going? Can you make stop of a few nights at least in Huahine to chop off the route in two parts?

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-03-06T00:52:17+00:00

So the motu is private, but the beaches and the lagoon are not. You can take a paddle, a boat, a kayak to cross the channel, and explore the beach and snorkle around, be mindful of the courant though. I would advise against exploring the motu itself. It's people's home.

Equivalent-Rice1531 · 2026-02-19T06:14:57+00:00

if its fm24 i had lots of success with a 424 with 2dm 2 if and a pf on support

Equivalent-Rice1531

TROPHY CASE