Location: Papeete
Top Things to do in Papeete
What to do and see in Papeete, Society Islands: The Best Free Things to do
Papeete is a great base for exploring Tahiti’s lagoons, black- and white-sand beaches and volcanoes. You’ll find a lively nightlife scene centered around the ferry dock. For an authentic island experience, visit Mapuru a Paraita market or Musee de la Perle to find local black pearls.
Restaurants in Papeete
1. Manapearl Tahiti
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 65 reviews
Discover the secrets of the “Le Chemin de la Perle de Tahiti” and how the Tahitian Pearls are transformed into exceptional jewels !! At the end of your visit, you can see our showroom where is exposed a wide selection of necklaces and pearl jewelry made in Tahiti. 1st distributor of jewelery "Made in Tahiti", delivered in more than 80 countries.
Reviewed By BarbaraP132 - Melbourne, Australia
We were told about manapearl by the flight attendant on the way there as she had a coco bracelet that her husband had bought her and it was so beautiful we asked where it came from. The shop is upstairs in the main centre and you have to call to make sure Thibaud is there.He takes you through to a small room where there are many beautiful pieces and loose pearls so you can choose them and he will make whatever you want. His pearls come from his father's pearl farm in Rangiroa .where all the best pearls are cultivated because the water is so clean. He will make whatever you want and then you can pick it up on your way home or he will post it to you. Thibaud is a lovely man and was very helpful and all the pieces that we ordered were absolutely gorgeous ! I would highly recommend to go to Thibaud for the most beautiful pearls in Tahiti and at the best price! He will also ship to you if you order from his website, nothing is a problem. Thank you Thibaud for my wonderful memories of Tahiti every time I wear my Manapearls!
2. Tahia Exquisite Tahitian Pearls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
Tahia Exquisite Tahitian Pearls was first created in 1993 in Moorea. Today, our brand overlooks 5 jewelry shops on the islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. Upon visiting us, you’ll be greeted with a large selection of top-quality Tahitian pearls suited to all budgets and harvested locally from our pearl farm in Fakarava. Our friendly multilingual vendors are fully equipped to assist you no matter where you are visiting us from. We also provide a 30 day money-back guarantee, a lifetime upgrade policy, as well as US and European Customer services. It will be our pleasure to help you find the perfect Tahitian pearl to take home as a souvenir of your time on our beautiful islands.
3. Manua Exquisite Tahitian Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Our Gallery features stunning and unique art pieces gathered from the most talented artists of French Polynesia by Raimana POROI, passionated collector. An amazing collection reflecting Tahiti and her Islands’ rich diversity of styles.
Reviewed By Experience689375 - Idaho, United States
Pleasent staff. I am not an expert on polynesian art ,but appear knowledgeable and helpful. Ended up purchasing a nice appearing piece. Many of the works appear quite exquisite.
4. Blue Pearl Tahiti
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 52 reviews
The Blue Pearl shop was founded on December 1st, 2010. Originally was near the Quartier du Commerce, then we are moved to the heart of Papeete at Donald Building in a shop that is both more spacious and modern in order to offer our customers a great choice of jewelry in the best possible conditions. Every day we make every effort to give our visitors both a warm welcome and a precise answer. We’ll try to meet your expectations base on your budget offered, we wish to see you found your jewelry with your satisfaction.
Reviewed By Bing676 - Ipoh, Malaysia
I was hunting for loose Tahitian pearls during a cruise vacation around French Polynesia together with my Uncle and when we entered this shop, we were greeted with smiles, unlike a few other shops we visited in downtown Papeete. I saw a nice blue pearl mounted on a men's-style necklace but I didn't like the colour of the necklace, therefore I didn't purchase it. In the end, I didn't purchase anything because I didn't find the pearls with the specific colours that I wanted, but I feel compelled to acknowledge the excellent customer service provide by Madame Turouru Pater, the boutique manager of this place. She was extremely patient with us and we spent 35 minutes looking at the buckets and buckets of loose pearls in the shop, explaining the colours available and answering all our questions! If only half the population on earth were as nice as Turouru, this world would be a much happier place!
5. Paofai Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 298 reviews
Reviewed By paulaY1594EG
Get away from the shops and streets and enjoy a relaxing walk through this park. A lot of effort has been put into this area to make it lovely and great place to walk, view the harbour, stop and have a meal or drink or both and enjoy the activities going on around you.
6. Tahiti Pearl Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Tahiti Pearl Market is a place dedicated to Tahitian pearls. Initially pearl farmers, we decided to introduce the Tahitian pearl through a Pearlery concept where our customers would select their pearl as if they were at the pearl farm. Once selected, the pearl would be set on a setting of their choice. Our team of bilingual professionals can assist our customers in selecting the right pearl to match their style. Let's find your pearl together!
Reviewed By Braxbert - Mill Valley, United States
My wife and daughters walked over on a Sunday to check out their shop. A nice lady downstairs showed us up to their showroom and did a great job explaining the different types of pearls, how they are grown and how they are graded and priced. My girls had a great time looking at the largest selection of bulk pearls any of us had ever seen. Lots of choices and each of them was able to find their perfect pearl. A couple days later after we were in Bora Bora my wife learned that the clasp on her setting was not closing properly and was unlatching. We emailed to let them know and received a prompt reply from Christiane, the store manager. She was very helpful and responsive to come up with a solution to fix or replace it. She even offered for their location in Bora Bora to assist. We weren't able to make it there and the only time was during our layover in Papeete on our way back to San Francisco. Unfortunately we missed our flight and got on a later one. My wife was bummed to know that she wouldn't have time now to go to their shop to get her pearl fixed. We were surprised when we landed to find a lady with a sign in her name waiting patiently (for 3 hours) for her and explained that she would take the pearl back to the shop to replace the clasp while we were checking in for our flight. In about 45 minutes Christiane, the store manager personally delivered a beautiful new (and even bigger clasp) to my wife before we boarded our plane. We weren't even charged for the increased weight of the new gold clasp! I would highly recommend buying your pearl at Tahiti Pearl Market. I know we will be purchasing from them again on our next trip to Tahiti!
7. Municipal Market
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,066 reviews
This large and bustling market hall offers local farm products, handicrafts, souvenirs and a variety of fish and food products.
Reviewed By Global_Traveller11 - Salt Lake City, United States
We were initially disappointed to find the market was closed early however we managed to find time the next morning to visit and we’re glad we did. The market was bustling with locals selling everything from fresh fish to pearls, fragranced oils, carvings, flowers and everything in between. Definitely a good place to do your souvenir shopping and buy your pearls. Some vendors take card however definitely bring cash.
8. Arahoho Blowhole
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 483 reviews
Reviewed By brynnb2014 - Cahors, France
We stopped by on our way back from the waterfalls. The splash and roar from the blowhole was very exciting. We walked down a step to an observation area (partially blocked by tape, plus mangled stone and a torn up metal railing). As we stood there to watch the waves, my husband said, “Wow, that’s a big one!” just as the wave hit the rocks and totally drenched the family, including my 74-year-old mother. She declared it the most fun she had in all of Tahiti, and we haven’t stopped laughing about it yet. There’s a nice bathroom in the parking lot as well as freshwater showers. It’s a great vantage point to watch surfers and boogie boarders.
9. Musee de la perle et Bijouterie
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 383 reviews
The Robert WAN Pearl Museum provides a comprehensive guide to the history and legends of pearls, crossing different cultures and civilizations. Visitors to the museum learn how the pearls are grafted and can see a collection of the world’s most beautiful cultured gems. A highlight of the collection is the largest round Tahitian cultured pearl in existence: a 22mm round Tahitian Silver (grey) of AAA quality, weighing 8.7 grams. Fittings, this pearl is called the “Robert WAN”. The Robert Wan Pearl Museum is a must do activity of the island of Tahiti. It confides to its visitors not only all the Cultured Pearl’s secrets and its History, but also all the tools and trust to choose their pearls. Only Museum dedicated to the Pearl, the Robert Wan Pearl Museum provides numerous illustrations and explanations that are as adapted for amateurs as for experienced people. Robert Wan reveals all the secrets of conception of the Tahitian Cultured Pearls and discloses its symbol over the centuries.
Reviewed By Bing676 - Ipoh, Malaysia
I would recommend all first-time visitors to French Polynesia to visit this place: the Robert Wan's pearl museum in Papeete. You will gain first-hand knowledge on the cultivation of Tahitian pearls in French Polynesia from several life-sized dioramas and 2 large television screens playing videos of Tahitian pearl farming. There is a pearl store connected to the pearl museum and you will learn about how expensive the top quality Tahitian pearls are! We saw a strand of large, round multi-coloured pearls which had a price tag of USD510,000.00(Yes, Five hundred & Ten thousand American Dollars!!!). But have no fear, the salespersons here will not harass you or throw you out of their store for not buying anything, my Uncle & I didn't buy anything here and we spent around 45 minutes watching the various videos and admiring all the beautiful pearls on display. Mr. Robert Wan is very generous to allow everyone to enter his pearl museum Free-of-Charge and you can browse around the pearl store without any pressure at all while enjoying the air-conditioning!
10. Mihiarii Pearls
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 26 reviews
Mihiarii Pearls is a family business specialized in selling tahitian black pearls and jewerly. We have three shops located in Tahiti, not far from the Papeete market. In our three shops, you will find a large variety of pearls starting at a price of 100 XPF ($1). And for 10 pearls bought, we give you 2 free pearls of the same price ! After choosing your pearls, you may choose settings for them. Our skilled craftsmen are able to drill pearls and assemble your jewelry. If you do not have the time or the desire to choose your pearls, we offer peerings (the pearls are already chosen to make earrings or necklace but not assembled) and pieces of jewelry. If you love pearls then you will love Mihiarii Pearls shops!
