One-Day Escapes from Papeete

Four one-day options, compared on distance, effort and what you need to pre-book.

Trip Getting there Pre-book?
Moorea Ferry from the Papeete terminal to Vaiare, 30 to 45 minutes Yes on busy weekends
East coast loop Coast road, Point Venus about 10 km out No
Teahupo’o Road to the south-east tip, roughly 60 to 75 km Boat watching, yes
Tetiaroa Catamaran from the Papeete marina, about 11 hours total Yes

Moorea in a day

Aremiti runs the Aremiti 5 and Aremiti 6 on the Papeete to Vaiare line, and Tauati Ferry and Vaearai serve it too. The Aremiti tourist fares from July 2026 are:

  • Adults and anyone 13 or older: 2,350 XPF one way, 4,700 XPF return
  • Children under 13: 1,500 XPF one way, 3,000 XPF return
  • Babies under 2: free

Sunday sailings are not guaranteed, and times vary by season, so read the timetable at aremitiexpress.com and plan your last boat back before you leave Papeete. On the island, Tahiti Tourisme’s own route runs from the free Belvedere lookout (about 219 m) to Temae Beach for lagoon swimming and on to the Rotui juice factory, whose opening days vary.

The east coast loop

  • Point Venus: Cook’s 1769 transit of Venus observation site, with a black-sand beach and a lighthouse (built 1867) whose interior is normally shut
  • Arahoho Blowhole: reopened on 30 October 2026; look from behind the barrier, never closer
  • Faarumai: Vaimahuta is a few minutes on foot, and two taller falls need another 20 to 30 minutes and may be closed for works

Teahupo’o

Drive through Taravao to the end of the road. Surfers there are experts, and visitors view the wave from licensed boats. Allow a long day, since it is far from town.

Tetiaroa

Leave early for an 11-hour sailing day with lunch, snorkelling and roughly 5 hours ashore. No overnight stays are possible on a day trip.

Practical notes

Prices on the island are in XPF, and cash helps at small stalls and juice shops. Start early on every route, because daylight and ferry times set the limits. From November to April tropical storms can disturb boats and roads, so check the forecast the night before. A taxi from Faa’a airport to central Papeete is roughly 2,500 to 3,500 XPF, and rates rise at night.

Search Papeete day trips for current departures.

Read more: attraction tours in Papeete and the 4 day Papeete and Bora Bora itinerary .