Papeete With Kids: Parks, Falls and Beaches

November 5, 2026

Papeete is a working capital rather than a resort, so the family list here is short. These are the places with confirmed details, and most are outdoors, so plan around the heat and the rain. Prices are in CFP francs (XPF).

Paofai Gardens

Paofai Gardens is a wooded public park of about 5 hectares close to the centre, run by the city parks service. It gives children room to run in the shade, and the waterfront alongside it looks across to Moorea. Check on arrival whether any play equipment is open, as opening of the playground varies.

Museum of Tahiti and the Islands

The museum in Punaauia is free for under 18s, with standard admission at 1,000 XPF. A children’s guided tour on Saturdays costs 1,000 XPF. It opens Wednesday to Sunday 09:00 to 17:00, with Tuesday reserved for school groups and Monday closed. The museum sits beside the lagoon, which breaks up a museum visit nicely.

Vaimahuta waterfall at Faarumai

The first of the three Faarumai falls, Vaimahuta (80 m), is only a few minutes’ walk from the car park, which suits small children. The other two falls are a 20 to 30 minute walk further and are sometimes closed for works. Rocks have fallen from the basalt wall here before, so stay on the marked path and keep away from the cliff after heavy rain.

Arahoho Blowhole and Point Venus

The Arahoho Blowhole on the east coast reopened on 30 October 2026 and is free. Swell sends spray and noise through the opening, which children enjoy from a safe distance, so keep them well back. A little further on, Point Venus has a black-sand beach and a lighthouse in the grounds, with the story of Captain Cook’s 1769 transit of Venus. The sand gets very hot at midday, so bring sandals.

Ferry to Moorea

The Moorea crossing is short, about 30 to 45 minutes, which works for children. On Aremiti the tourist child fare (under 13) is 1,500 XPF one way and 3,000 XPF return, and under-2s travel free. Book ahead if you plan to travel on a Friday afternoon or a Sunday evening, when local weekenders fill the boats, and check the timetable at aremitiexpress.com .

Vaipahi Water Gardens

On the south coast at Mataiea, about 50 km from Papeete, the gardens are listed as free entry on visitor sites. Bring mosquito repellent.

Sea conditions on black-sand beaches such as Taharuu can be rough, and no lifeguard cover is confirmed, so keep children within their depth. Family tours are listed at Papeete family activities .