7 days in Tahiti

Early in the morning, head to Opunohu Lookout. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (1,540 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.

Then, I make my way to Toatea Lookout. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. 4.8 out of 5 across 383 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.

After lunch, meet me at Marama Safari 4×4. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or also check Tiqets.

In the morning, it’s Water Gardens Vaipahi. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (1,009 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise compare on Tiqets.

Around noon, head to Marae Fare Hape. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or compare on Tiqets.

In the afternoon, meet me at Grottes De Mara'a. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. 4.5 out of 5 across 652 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or go through Tiqets.

To start, I make my way to Cascades de Faarumai. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. 4.7 out of 5 across 874 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or compare on Tiqets.

Late morning, it’s Tahiti Safari Expedition. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.

Later, I make my way to Arahoho Blowhole. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise compare on Tiqets.

To start, it’s Grotte Vaipoiri. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.

Around noon, meet me at Baie de Papeno'o. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.

After lunch, it’s Plage de Tautira. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise go through Tiqets.

In the morning, meet me at Notre Dame Cathedral. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.

Late morning, I make my way to Fā'ati City. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.

After lunch, head to Plage de Ahonu. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise go through Tiqets.

To start, meet me at Museum of Tahiti and The Islands. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. 4.6 out of 5 across 728 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.

Then, meet me at Cascade de Fautaua. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.

Later, I make my way to Pā'ōfa'i Gardens. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. 4.6 out of 5 across 503 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.

To start, it’s MANUA Exquisite Tahitian Art. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.

Then, head to Bougainville Park. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.

In the afternoon, it’s Place Vai'ete. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.