Tahiti Water Gardens Vaipahi And Its Hikes

Want to learn about Water Gardens Vaipahi before your visit? You’ve come to the right guide.

Among many other things, Tahiti is also known for its plants and vegetation. Tahitians have a rich history of growing plants for food, medicines, as well as using them in traditional practices.

To experience the island’s flora, Water Gardens Vaipahi is the place to visit. It’s a popular tourist attraction in Tahiti that you’re free to visit. Despite that, some people miss this place during their island tours. So if you’re planning to explore Tahiti, make sure to add Vaipahi Water Gardens to your itinerary.

It’s a great place not just for plant enthusiasts but also for anyone wanting to enjoy some time in nature, whether with family or solo.

What really is Water Gardens Vaipahi?

Water Gardens Vaipahi is a landscaped park and botanical garden home to over 75 different plant species. It’s also a sacred place for Tahitians, as their ancestors believed its waters were a source of soul purification. It’s located at PK49 in Mataiea district on the southwest of Tahiti Nui.

The garden is quite large, covering about 2.5 acres of land. It features grassy lawns and ponds of various sizes, with walking paths that start from the entrance gate and wind through the entire garden. It’d take an hour to explore the garden.

If you’re in a hurry, you can zip through in about 15 minutes, but you’ll be missing out on a thorough experience. It’s a place to wander and appreciate the natural surroundings.

Along with so many trees and flowers, you’ll see waterfalls, streams, ponds with blooming water lilies and lotus. There are fish and eels under the shallow water of ponds. You might spot chickens and ducks roaming around as well.

There are signage throughout the garden in French, Tahitian, and English, providing directions and information about the plants and stories behind places, like the pool where ancients purified the deceased soul.

Many people don’t know that Vaipahi Gardens has a seaside across the road where tables are set and you can relax by the water.

Besides attracting tourists, many of the plants in the garden are cultivated for medicinal purposes. Schools from Tahiti bring students to educate them about biodiversity and the Polynesian history connected to the plants.

The local administration keeps the garden well-maintained, and amenities such as restrooms are available onsite. There’s a small shop near the entrance gate selling gifts, cold drinks, and food items.

History/Facts

Vaipahi Gardens Tahiti has been a spiritually significant place for hundreds of years for Polynesians. Ancient legends say that the Teva tribe believed the Vaimai River’s water had healing properties and served as a pathway for soul purification.

The main waterfall in the garden, Vaipahi Waterfall, is also a part of ancient beliefs. People believed that you could feel the “mighty breath of the spirit of the waters” there.

All of the water you see in the Vaipahi Gardens comes from Vaihiria Lake which is part of the legend of Hina and Coconut tree. The lake feeds many rivers and cascades including Vaipahi Waterfall & Vaima River.

Did you know? Jardin D’eau Vaipahi is the French name for the Water Gardens Vaipahi. This was the first place where the HMS Bounty crew first landed and had a Tahitian meal.

The garden wasn’t much of a tourist spot until 2007 when the local government renovated it and turned it into a botanical garden.

It’s not the only botanical garden on the island; Harrison Smith Botanical Garden is another one located about 2 miles from the Vaipahi Gardens. However, it’s currently closed to the public.

What kind of plants are in Vaipahi Gardens?

Vaipahit Garden has both native and non-native plants. Most of the plants have been imported from around the world mainly from Asia, Africa, and Americas.

Following are some of the many plants that you’ll see in Water Gardens Vaipahi:

• Waterlilies
• Egyptian lotus
• Lantanas
• Bird of Paradise flower
• Impatiens walleriana
• Balisier – Heliconia bihai
• Pagoda Flower – Clerodendrum paniculatum
• Porcelain rose
• Cape Blue Water Lily – Nymphaea capensis
• Wolfsbane
• Bush clock vine – Thunbergia erecta
• Bluebonnet
• Cayenne vanilla tree
• Duranta erecta
• Crepe ginger
• Torch ginger – Etlingera elatior
• Opuhi flower
• Parrot heliconia – Heliconia psittacorum
• Red hot pokers
• Saraca asoca
• Hibiscus
• Pride of Burma – Amherstia Nobilis
• Canna lily
• Golden trumpet – Allamanda cathartica
• Pagoda tree
• Clerodendrum
• Firecracker plant – Russelia equisetiformis
• Moonflower
• Peace lily
• Loropetalum shrubs
• Pomelo tree

When to visit the garden?

Water Gardens Vaipahi is open all days of the week from 7 am to 7 pm. You can visit anytime during these hours. But the best times are morning or evening hours when it’s not too sunny. Because the sun in Tahiti can get pretty intense, so it’s more pleasant to visit when it’s cooler or cloudy.

There’s plenty of shade available in the garden though for those who visit when the sun is out.

Moreover, you should avoid visiting the garden during or after heavy rain as the garden will likely be flooded and you probably won’t have a great experience there. However, it’s usually fine when it’s raining lightly.

If you want to see the garden at its best, visit during the wet season (November to April). Due to the tropical environment, the flowers here bloom almost all year, but they really come alive during the wet season. Just keep in mind that humidity and rainfall are higher during this time.

How to get to Vaipahi Gardens?

Water Gardens Vaipahi is about 30 miles from the Papeete, which takes roughly 40-50 minutes to drive. The garden is right on the main road, so it’s easy to get to.

There are many ways to get to the garden: you can rent a car or scooter, hire a taxi, or take the public bus.

Buses on the island are cheaper and run every hour. Although buses don’t have a stop at the gardens, you can still take the bus going to Taravao from Papeete and request the driver to let you off at the gardens.

If you aren’t comfortable with buses, then consider renting a vehicle, which is the best option of all. You can get a scooter or car for $50 to $100 per day. This will give you the freedom that no other option can give.

If you can’t take the bus and don’t have a rental vehicle, then taxis are your best bet. The bad news is that taxi drivers don’t want to go out of the city, and if they do, they charge so much. So taxis would be the most expensive option to get to the garden.

Since Vaipahi Gardens is a long way from Papeete, I’d suggest adding some other sights to your trip. Driving all the way just to see the garden might not be worth it unless you’re super into plants or have plans there.

Vaiphai Gardens Hikes

If you’ve done exploring the garden and are feeling adventurous, you can head up the mountains by taking one of the trails in the garden.

You’ll see a map near the entrance gate which shows three trails with varying distances and color markings (blue, green, and yellow). All of these trails start at the same points.

Small Loop trail

The small loop trail is an hour shorter than the great loop trail. It is about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) long and would take an hour to complete this Tahiti hiking trip.

The trail starts with a steep incline and flattens out until the pass. After hiking about 1km, you’ll reach the pass and follow the track going east. This track goes past where the river trail ends, so you can also take the river trail to go back down.

If you stick to the small loop trail, you’ll be on the east trail after walking about half a kilometer through a rough and rocky path with dense vegetation. From there, it’s a pretty straightforward downhill walk to Vaipahi Gardens.

Overall, it’s an easy hike that takes you into the mountains and leads you through pretty pine forests, offering panoramic views of the ocean from above. If you’re looking for a little workout after visiting the garden, this trail is a great choice.

River Trail

The blue trail marked on the map is called the river trail. It’s an ideal trail if you’re short on time and want quick in and out. It is about 1.2 km (0.8 miles) long and takes around 30-40 minutes for a round trip.

Even though the trail is short, but don’t think of it as a stroll in the garden. There are steep climbs and slippery & rocky sections that make this trail a bit more challenging than the others. You’ll also have to do river crossings, so I’d recommend wearing good hiking shoes if you want to keep your feet dry.

The trail gets even more slippery and the river’s water level rises when it’s rainy, so I wouldn’t recommend taking it in those conditions.

Moreover, since the hike doesn’t get much altitude, you’ll mostly be walking under the tropical trees and won’t get the proper top views you’d get on the great loop trail. But the good news is you’ll see some beautiful flora and pass by small waterfalls and pools along the way.

Great Loop Trail

This is the longest trail of all the trails in the garden. It’s about 4.9 km (3 miles) long and will take you around 2 hours to complete it.

Although its long distance might look to you a challenge unless you’re an avid hiker, the trail itself isn’t that hard. It starts out steep but then turns into a flat wide path with a gradual uphill climb. There aren’t any really difficult sections, so it’s suitable for everyone.

You’ll go through the jungle, so it’s shaded most of the way. As you keep ascending, you’ll come across some stunning views of the forest and spots where you can overlook the ocean.

The trail is well marked all the way, and it’s shown yellow on the map.

Since it’s a loop trail, you can do it both ways, from the right (east side) and from the left (west side). Great Loop trail also covers the Small Loop trail.

Water Gardens Vaipahi Tours

One of the best ways to explore the Vaipahi Gardens is by having a guide with you. Most tours to the gardens also include other attractions in their itinerary. Below, I’ve listed some of the best tours to Water Gardens Vaipahi in case you’re interested in booking one.

Unique Tahiti Tour – personalized half day tour

It’s a group tour of max 8 travelers, with transportation in a red Mercedes van. You’ll visit various sites on the west coast of Tahiti including the Vaipahi Water Gardens.

You’ll see many incredible places like Arahurahu Marae, Maraa Grotto, Pea Village, Tahiti’s famous beach, and more. Plus you’ll also learn about Polynesian history and get insights into the places you’d visit. You’re free to ask for a stop if you spot anything interesting during your journey.

It’s a half day tour, and you’ll pretty much explore all the top spots located on the west side of Tahiti.

Unique Tahiti Tour – personalized full day tour

If you have more time and are up for a full day adventure, the same company that runs the tour I mentioned above also offers a day tour. You’ll visit more places and get to see some stunning Tahitian landscapes.

On this small group tour, you’ll not only explore Vaipahi Gardens but also go to the world’s famous Teahupoo surf spot in Tahiti Iti, along with several other amazing places. You’ll even have lunch at a beachside restaurant. There’s plenty more to see and do on this 8-hour tour.

Private Island Tour

This is another tour with its great reviews that lets travelers flexibility to add other sights they want to see, besides the ones already offered.

This small-group tour, with just up to 6 people, lasts over 5 hours. You’ll visit the Vaipahi Gardens, see Faarumai Waterfalls, Arahoho Blowhole, Point Venus, etc. Your guide will tell you about the island’s culture and history, giving you a great introduction to life in Tahiti.

5 Hours Tahiti Island Tour

If you’re on a budget and looking for more affordable options, this tour is a good option. It’s a 4-5 hour tour that will tour you around the island mostly west side of Tahiti, visiting Vaipahi Water Gardens and other popular destinations.

They run morning and afternoon tours, so you can pick the time that suits you best.

Wrapping up the Water Gardens Vaipahi Guide

Water Gardens Vaipahi is more than just a garden, it’s a must-see on your Tahiti trip. This place has a peaceful atmosphere with soothing sounds of flowing water. You’ll find lots of exotic flowers, beautiful waterfalls, lush tropical scenery as you hike up the mountains, and get a taste of Polynesian history, all in one place.