22 Paradisiacal Tahiti Facts

By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer

Published December 5, 2024

Tahiti is the largest and the highest island in French Polynesia._[3]
Although Tahiti was first seen by a Spanish ship in 1606, it wasn't until June 18, 1767, that Europeans landed, when English sea captain Samuel Wallis visited the island. He is considered the first visitor to the island._[6]
Traditionally, Tahitian women would tattoo their buttocks and loins blue._[3]

Tattoos were a sign of wealth, the ability to endure pain, and strength

The word "tattoo" is from the Tahitian word "tatau."_[7]
Bora Bora is actually pronounced "Pora Pora" because the Tahitian alphabet does not include the "b" sound._[3]
It takes about six hours to drive around the island of Tahiti._[3]
The Tahitian alphabet only has 13 letters: "a,e,i,o, and u" as well as "f,h,m,n,p,r,t,v."_[3]
Fautaua Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Tahiti, standing at about 443 feet. It's the 28th largest waterfall in the world._[2]
The tiare flower is the national flower of Tahiti. On some islands, wearing the flower behind the left ear means the wearer is "looking" for a relationship, and wearing it on the right means "taken."_[4]
Because of its famous waves, Tahiti will host surfing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sitting 9,800 miles from Paris, it breaks the record for the farthest Olympic medal competition to be held outside the host nation._[8]
Tahiti is home to Teahupo'o, one of the most powerful and deadly waves on Earth. The waves are ideal for big surfing because Tahiti is surrounded by coral atolls._[8]

The name "Teahupo'o" loosely translates to the "place of skulls"

There are two main seasons in Tahiti: Summer, from November to March, and Winter, which is the dry season, from April to October._[5]
Tahitian winters are ideal for scuba diving, whale watching, hiking, and sailing._[5]
Tahiti doesn't have poisonous snakes or spiders, only mosquitoes. The island is also home to a small sand fly called a "no-no."_[5]
Tahiti is divided into Tahiti Nui and the smaller south-eastern portion, Tahiti Iti. Islands such as Bora Bora and Moorea are part of French Polynesia, but not Tahiti._[3]
Tahiti does not have residential mail delivery, so citizens need to go to the post office to pick up their mail._[3]

The Hawaiian hula is different from the Tahitian otea dance

The 'ote'a or otea is a traditional Tahitian dance famous for featuring fast-shaking grass skirts. Easily confused with the Hawaiian hula, the Tahitian dance is generally faster._[3]
Polynesians originally settled Tahiti between 300 and 800 CE. Polynesians represent about 70% of the islands' population. Europeans, Chinese, and those of mixed heritage make up the rest._[3]
The islands of Tahiti together make up 118 islands and atolls across five different archipelagos._[5]
Tahiti was one of the last places on Earth to be inhabited and colonized by Europeans._[3]
The capital of Tahiti is Papeete, which means "water basket."_[3]
Tahiti's main export is Tahitian cultured pearls, which grow almost entirely in French Polynesian waters._[1]