Tahiti is a mountainous island with a high rainfall rate. With rain, plans to hike and relax at the beach fall by the wayside. However, the day is far from being lost. Wondering what to do in Tahiti when it rains? Here is the best way to enjoy a rainy day while staying dry, or almost.
1. A Trip to Papeete Covered Market
Whether it rains or not during your stay, a visit to the covered market of Papeete is one of the highlights of Tahiti. On two levels, you will discover the local life in an atmosphere full of colors, flavors and meetings. Flowers, fruits and vegetables, meat and especially a lot of fish await you on the first floor. Upstairs, several stalls are full of clothes, essential oils and many handicrafts. Among all these local specialties, it is easy to find nice souvenirs from Tahiti to take home.
From Monday to Saturday, the Papeete market is open until 6pm. On Sundays, the hours are shortened from 4:00 am to 9:00 am, but the activity is even more intense, spilling over onto the sidewalks. It is a great pleasure to walk around, to observe the stalls and of course to taste the fresh products and the best food in Tahiti.
2. Visit the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands
Not far from Papeete, on the west coast, the Museum of Tahiti and her Islands aims to preserve the Polynesian cultural heritage and to transmit it to the youngest and to foreign visitors. The only true museum in Tahiti, the museum has a collection of several thousand artistic and ethnographic objects. It is an opportunity to discover little-known aspects of Polynesian civilization: among others, the migrations in the Polynesian triangle, the primitive arts, religious cults as well as a magnificent outdoor ethnobotanical trail.
Because of the modernization work and its delay due to the global pandemic of 2020, access is limited to the temporary exhibitions only, which are regularly renewed. There is no doubt that the upcoming reopening of the museum will make it a must-see for all visitors to Tahiti, and for the happiness of children. Count on at least one hour on site and an extremely low entrance fee and the presence of a dedicated staff, ready to inform you at the slightest opportunity.
3. What to Do in Tahiti When It Rains: A Polynesian Massage
The weather forecast calls for rain for the next few days. Don’t lose your positive energy: rebalance yourself with a massage in Tahiti! Go to the best massage salon on the island, at Pointe Vénus, or have your masseuse come directly to your accommodation. You will discover the Tahitian art of Taurumi. This ancestral practice allows the harmony of body and mind.
Massage in Tahiti is as much a source of personal well-being as it is a true approach to Polynesian culture, just like tattooing or dancing. Let yourself be tempted by this energizing and cultural experience. Therefore, watch the weather forecast and remember to book your session on time!
4. Scuba Diving
One of the best activities to do on a rainy day is diving in Tahiti. Underwater, the conditions when it rains remain much the same. Visibility remains excellent and the dive clubs welcome you as warmly as they do on sunny days. Go to the Marina Taina in Punaauia: the best dive agencies in Tahiti are located there. Once in the water, the rain will be a distant memory and you will be able to contemplate the aquatic fauna or explore the plane and boat wrecks.
Don’t hesitate to contact the diving club until the day before, as sometimes places are still available due to cancellations. After agreement, your instructor will pick you up directly at your hotel. Practical and pleasant.
5. Visit James Norman Hall
What is the collective Western imagination around the Polynesian myth? This is the question that a very small museum dedicated to the American writer James Norman Hall tries to answer. A World War I hero, this adventurer was one of the first U.S. citizens to volunteer for the Allied forces in Europe. At the end of the war, he settled in Tahiti where he pursued a brilliant literary career, notably with his Bounty trilogy.
Classified as a historical monument, the James Norman Hall House was rehabilitated as a museum in 2002. The typical furniture of the 1930’s and the numerous personal objects that belonged to the author give an extraordinary romantic touch. We recommend a visit with the museum staff, who are absolutely committed and fascinating. If you book in advance, it is even possible to have lunch there and the food is excellent.
And What to Do in Tahiti When the Rains Are Over?
The next few days are going to be milder. It is time to enjoy the natural beauty of the Queen Island of French Polynesia. Renting a car is a great way to get around Tahiti. Visit the black sand beaches or the Fautaua Valley! Contact us to organize your stay in Tahiti and its islands.
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