Island Drive & Museum of Tahiti

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Your tour begins as you board your motorcoach for a grand tour of Tahiti's most spectacular sights. Keep your camera ready for photo opportunities at virtually every turn.

You'll drive to Tahara'a "One Tree Hill" and witness a spectacular view of Matavai Bay. Captain James Cook sailed the "Endeavor" into Tahiti's Matavai Bay in 1769 and sighted a single tree with bright red-orange flowers growing on the promontory above the bay. Cook used the tree as a navigational landmark and named this reference point "One Tree Hill." Although the gnarled old tree has long since disappeared, the lookout provides impressive panoramic views of the island of Moorea, the Sea of Moons and the surrounding coral reefs and lagoons.

Next, you'll travel to Point Venus, Tahiti's northernmost extremity. Now a park and beach recognized by locals as the most popular on the island, Venus Point was the site from which Captain James Cook's astronomer tracked the transit of Venus across the sun in the 18th century.

Your tour continues to Arahoho Blowhole, where waves crashing through the volcanic basalt rock create the famous blowhole. 

After reboarding your bus, a short drive will bring you to the over water "Restaurant du Musee Gauguin". Here you can enjoy a scrumptious International buffet lunch with some local delicacies with a picturesque view of the lagoon and Tahiti Iti in the distance.

Our next stop is the pictuesque Vaipahi Gardens and waterfall, a private property with a garden of local fruit trees, native trees and flowers, and a picturesque waterfall setting. At the Maraa Fern Grotto Cave you can witness giant elephant ear taro and natural ferns hanging from the cave entrance. Inside, natural springs seep through the ceiling of ferns in this cavern formed by the sea thousands of years ago. A short distance away is the ancient archeological site Marae Arahurahu (sacred temple) where traditional Tahitian rituals were held before the advent of Christianity.

Our last stop is at the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands at the Fishermen's Point. Set into a coconut grove grounds with a picturesque view of the lagoon and Moorea in the background. This ranks as one of the best museums in the South Pacific that focuses on the Polynesians and their history, people, language and culture. Displays and exhibits range from early European explorers ship anchors, ancient canoes, traditional weaving, tapa-cloth making, early tools, body ornaments, tattooing, games, sports, sacred tikis and funerary practices.

This excursion was chosen last season by Princess passengers for overall tour quality and outstanding customer service and awarded Shore Excursion of the Season in Papeete.

Special Notes:

Child Price: