Tahiti’s 8 Most Incredible Waterfalls

Want to see the waterfalls in Tahiti? Let this post be your guide!

When people land in Papeete, they see hustle bustle and lots of buildings and think all of Tahiti is like that, or consider it not as beautiful as some of its sister islands. But while Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, is more commercial and has an urban vibe, the island’s interior is full of natural beauty. With lush landscapes, jagged mountains, scenic valleys, and dramatic waterfalls, Tahiti often surprises visitors who didn’t expect so much raw charm.

Whether you’re looking for waterfalls with swimming spots, plunge pools, waterfalls without hiking or with scenic hikes, Tahiti has it all. In fact, Tahiti has one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in French Polynesia.

So, without wasting time, let’s jump right onto exploring the stunning Tahiti waterfalls.

Top Waterfalls in Tahiti

1. Fautaua Waterfall

Fautaua Waterfall also known as Cascade de Fachoda is considered the biggest waterfall in Tahiti with a height above 400 feet (120 meters). It’s tucked away in the Fautaua Valley, north of Tahiti in Pirae district.

If you’re up for a great hike that’s not too far from Papeete and offers stunning waterfall views, Fautaua Waterfall is the spot to check out.

To get to the fall, you’ll need to drive to fall’s trailhead which is about 3.5 miles from Papeete. From there, it’s about 3-4 hours long hike.

Before you head out, be sure to get a permit from the city hall which will cost about $5.

The hike to Fautaua Waterfall is challenging but manageable, so anyone with some hiking experience should be able to handle it. There are two trails: the upper trail takes you to the top of the falls, while the lower trail takes you to the base. You’ll come across loti basin and a grotto with an infinite pool if you take the upper trail. You can jump in the pool, but be careful of edge.

The waterfall looks like a river falling down the cliff if you see it from far. It plunges vertically into the pool below, creating a mist from the force of the drop. The views are truly breathtaking, whether you’re looking from above or from the base of the falls.

The waterfall is kind of enclosed by steep mountains and you feel like you’re in a private nature sanctuary. The whole valley’s just beautiful, you get to see greenery around along with the waterfall.

For those interested in doing this with a guide, this private Fautaua Valley tour is a great option.

2. Faarumai Waterfalls

If you want to see multiple waterfalls in Tahiti in under an hour, head to the Faarumai Waterfalls. This site features three falls: Vaihimauta Falls at 262 feet, Haamaremare Rahi at 328 feet, and Haamaremare Iti at 101 feet.

The waterfalls are situated in Faarumai Valley in the village of Tiarei, on the eastern side of Tahiti. They don’t require much hiking in order to get to them, tracks are easy and can be walked by anyone who’s in decent shape.

Vaimahuta Fall is a 5 minute walk from the parking lot. It’s quite a secluded place surrounded by lush mountains with the waterfall plunging into the pool. Sadly, swimming is not allowed due to the risk of rockfalls from cliff. The views are breathtaking, and it gets even more spectacular when the waterfall is flowing at its peak.

The other two waterfalls are a 15 minute hike through the rainforest. Since you cannot get close to them, there’s a viewing platform where you can see both falls cascading side by side.

Overall, it’s a great spot for anyone on a Tahiti Island tour, especially if you’re driving through the east side.

3. Vaihi Waterfalls

Vaihi Waterfalls are twin waterfalls located southeast of Tahiti Nui in Faaone village. They’re just a short distance from the main road, about a 5 minute walk away.

Waterfalls aren’t huge, they are cascading down into the pool from about 20 meters height. Though the pool isn’t that deep, it’s perfect for a quick, refreshing rinse under the falls.

There’s a small park nearby where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the nice waterfalls view while listening to the soothing sound of the rushing water.

Vaihi Waterfalls are also considered sacred among Tahitians. And every first Saturday of the month, there’s a spiritual washing ceremony takes place there. If you’re there during that time, try to visit in the morning.

Besides Vaihi Waterfalls, there are more in the area as well. To see them, you’ll have to take the trail from Vaihi Waterfalls that follows a stream through the tropical forest. The hike is moderately challenging and would take around 2 hours to a viewpoint that offers breathtaking panoramas of eastern Tahiti. Along the way, you’ll encounter many basins and waterfalls with plunge pools.

4. Vaipahi Waterfall

Vaipahi Waterfall is a small waterfall in Water Gardens Vaipahi, located southwest of Tahiti in Mataiea village. It cascades down from a height of around 30 meters into the pool below. The waterfall and the rain are only water sources that feed the garden.

The waterfall gets its water mainly from Vaihiria Lake. The lake and waterfall in the garden were part of an ancient legend and are considered sacred.

Vaiphai Fall is right off the main road and easy to get to. It takes about 50 minutes to get here from Papeete.

Besides the waterfall, you’ll see a variety of flora throughout the garden. Plus, there are ponds with beautiful water lilies.

If you like hiking then good news is that there are trails leading from the garden up into the forest and mountains. You’ll find other small waterfalls on the river trail that have pools to dip in. So, take one of the trails for more adventure.

5. Faraura Valley waterfalls

Faraura Valley has some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Tahiti. While there are many here in the valley, three of them are the most popular and frequently visited.

The first waterfall is called the Tapa Tea Waterfall. It’s a chute where hundreds of gallons of water pouring into a small canyon. If you’re a thrill seeker, you can jump in from the cliff in front.

Next are the “twin waterfalls” which cascade vertically from 60 meters height down into the big pool. The runoff winds its way through rocks and drops again just a few meters downstream, forming a second, smaller waterfall.
The scenes are breathtaking whether you look down at the second fall or the twin falls, it’ll leave you mesmerized.

The final waterfall is nestled in lush vertical mountains. You’ll see it from far away. It’s tall, narrow, and totally stunning as it drops 180 meters into the gorge. You can hear shear amount of water cascading down from afar. If you get close enough, you can feel the cool mist on your face.
Its water flows downstream, eventually feeding into the Twin Falls.

All three waterfalls kind of look like multi-step falls, dropping one after the other, but they’re not beacuse they are spread out unlike traditional step waterfalls.

The waterfalls in Faraura Valley are definitely worth the trip, but getting to them is not easy. The trail is poorly marked, with rocky paths, steep climbs, and river crossings along the way. And if it rains, water level can rise fast, so I wouldn’t recommend coming here in a downpour.

Moreover, you’ll need good physique to visit the falls and even better to have a guide along for a safer and more enjoyable experience. If the full hike’s too much for you, don’t feel bad and stop at the twin falls which is where most people call it a day anyway.

6. Onohea Waterfalls

Onohea Waterfalls is a two tiered waterfall located in Tiarei village in Onohea Valley, northeast Tahiti. Locals often refer to the upper falls as the “Twin Falls,” where water drops nearly 100 meters into a cool pool below. The flow keeps going and carves its way through volcanic rocks, and makes a smaller waterfall that hits another pool farther down.

To get to the Onohea Falls, you’ll need to make your way to Tiarei village in PK 25 Onohea. Look for the tiny road with a faded sign pointing inland. There’s also a bus stop on the main road if you’re planning to take the bus.

On your way to the falls, you’ll stumble upon a beautiful water lily lake called Nénuphars Lake.

After reaching the waerfall’s trailhead, one thing to know is that the trail to the falls is pretty tough and you’ll need to be a decent a hiker. It’s a 2-3 mile route that’s poorly marked, so it’s a good idea to bring a GPS or have a guide with you. You’ll be mostly walking on a rough, rocky path with lots of foliage. You’ll also need to cross the river a few times.
In rainy conditions, the trail becomes slippery and the water level rises. Therefore, it’s best to avoid taking the trail during heavy rain.

You’ll spot several other waterfalls in the valley as well along with the Onohea waterfalls. As these falls drop from the valley’s sheer cliffs, they offer some truly breathtaking views.

7. Maroto Waterfall

Maroto Waterfall, or La Maroto a Tahiti in the local language, is a beautiful but not a huge waterfall that drops mayabe 20 to 30 meters. It’s hidden away in the center of Tahiti, in Hitiaa O Te Ra district.

Reaching the waterfall is quite a journey. From Hitiaa O Te Ra district, which is about 30 kilometers from Papeete, you’ll need to travel along a dirt road for about 10 miles to reach the trailhead.

On your way to the fall’s trailhead, you’ll come across a remote hotel where you can grab a bite or book a room for an overnight stay.

If you have got a 4×4 or an ATV, you can get to the waterfall on your own, but you’ll probably need help from locals for directions. I’d suggest having someone along who knows the way or a guide for the best experience.

Although the trail to fall is not marked, it’s easy to follow and not that difficult. If you go further upstream, there’s another waterfall with a basin.

The waterfall has a gorgeous blue pool where you can just wade in or if you’re feeling adventurous, dive in from a little cave behind it. It’s peaceful here as this spot is surrounded by all these green plants and mountains, and the sound of the water is just calming.

8. Papenoo Valley waterfalls

If you head into the Papenoo Valley, you’ll see a lot of waterfalls throughout. But three are most well-known there: Vaiharuru, Topatari and Puraha. They’re each in three different spots, and as you make your way through the valley, you’ll pass them one after another with some distance in between.

Papenoo Valley is in the northern part of Tahiti. It’s a bit off the beaten path. You can go there on your own but most people take a 4×4 tour and I’d suggest doing the same. Beacuse roads are narrow, steep and not in a good condition, and you’ll definitely need someone to help with directions, so better with a tour. I’ve listed some in tours section.

First waterfall you’d see is Topatari, which is far from the road and can be easy to miss. It’s a big waterfall that cascades down the steep rocky cliff covered in dense vegetation. If you want to get up close, you can do that but will need some solid hiking skills to get to it.

The next waterfall that comes your way while exploring the valley will be Vaiharuru Fall. It’s also situated away from the road but easier to reach compared to the Topatari Fall. Vaiharuru is moderately tall and drops straight down the face of the cliff.

After Vaiharuru Fall comes the Puraha Fall which is close to the road, and you can actually hear its crashing water sound. The waterfall flows down into a manmade lake which water is used to generate electricity. The lake is right by the road and you might be tempted to jump in, but it’s not allowed here because of the eels. It’s a bit of a letdown, especially with the hot sun making you want to cool off, but the good news is there are more falls with swimmable pools ahead.

Tahiti Waterfalls Tours

If you don’t want to visit the waterfalls alone, you can hire a private tour or join a group tour to explore the various waterfalls of Tahiti.

Crossing Island of Tahiti 4×4 Mountain, Waterfall, River, Basins

If you’re looking for a tour that takes you to the heart of Tahiti and lets you explore its stunning waterfalls, this is the one. While the tour isn’t focused solely on waterfalls, you’ll get to see them along with other beautiful sights around the island.

On this 6 to 7 hour long tour, you’ll ride a 4×4 into Tahiti inland for an off-road adventure. This will be a long and bumpy ride, but you’ll get to experience Tahiti’s lush greenery and hidden gems. Along with way, you’ll see several waterfalls and have a chance to bath in.

This tour is also great for families, allowing you to explore the island with your children over 3 years old.

Crossing Over Tahiti Island Safari 4×4

Discover Tahiti’s waterfalls along with the island’s natural side that you wouldn’t have seen otherwise with this full day tour.

On this tour, Your guide will take you to the east side of Tahiti and into inland on a 4×4. This trip focuses on exploring the natural side of Tahiti, avoiding popular tourist spots. You’ll see lush scenery with flowers, mountains, rivers, and waterfalls. There will be a lunch break, but you’ll need to pay for it yourself, so carry cash with you.

You’ll also get to learn about Tahiti’s culture and history from your guides.

This tour isn’t recommended for those who can’t handle long, bumpy rides. Other than that, anyone interested in going off the beaten path in Tahiti, this tour is for you.

5 Hours Tahiti Island Tour – West and East Coast

This 5 hour long tour is an amazing choice for those who are on a budget and want to see the waterfalls of island. You’ll see many amazing spots of the island, including the Faarumai Waterfalls and the waterfall at Water Gardens Vaipahi.

You’ll get an overview of the island by going east and west coasts without breaking the bank.

Things to know before visiting waterfalls in Tahiti

Waterfalls are best seen after rain

You can see the waterfalls in Tahiti at any time, but they’re most spectacular right after rain. The rainwater raises the water level in rivers and streams, causing the waterfalls to flow more powerfully.

When is the best time of year to see waterfalls in Tahiti? The wet season from November to April is the best time to see the waterfalls in their full glory. That’s when it rains the most in Tahiti, which fills the lakes and increases the flow of streams that channel down the mountains in full.

Pack bug repellent and sunscreen

When you’re going to see a waterfall on Tahiti Island, make sure that you’ve a bug repellent with you. Because mosquitos are common around Tahiti’s falls and they can be a real nuisance.

A sunscreen will help protect your skin against the tropical sun, since sun here on island can get fierce.

Bring swimwear for waterfall swimming

Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit and towel if you are visiting the waterfalls with swimming in mind. Although not all the waterfalls offer swimming opportunities, many have pools or nearby rivers where you can take a dip.

Avoid drinking waterfall water

Try to avoid drinking waterfall water unless you have to. It’s better to bring your own water, especially on waterfalls that involve a lot of walking.

Wear proper footwear for waterfall hikes

Although not all the falls on the island are difficult to get to, but you should wear proper footwear that is comfortable and has a good grip. Because usually tracks to reach waterfalls are uneven & unpaved and can get slippery in case of rain, so it’s recommended to wear good shoes instead of flip-flops for safer trekking.

Avoid visiting in heavy rain

Try to avoid visiting waterfalls with difficult trails during the rain especially in heavy rain, because it can be dangerous and you could risk injury. However, light rain is usually fine.

Consider a guide for a safer experience

Although it’s fine to visit the falls on your own, if you’re planning on visiting the falls that are inland in the valleys and mountains with difficult trails, I’d recommend going with a group or guide to have a more fun and safer experience.