Taaroa Lodge

Around Tahiti Nui

LoginSave

Right on the waterfront, Taaroa Lodge has the most luxe location for the price tag on this coast. The dorm is basic and the one private en-suite room downstairs is dark but comfortable. The two individual bungalows in the garden are definitely the highlight here and have lovely views of Mo’orea. There are kitchen facilities and a friendly atmosphere.

Kayaks are free, and the nearest public beach is a two-minute walk away. The lodge is owned by Ralph Stanford, a former longboard surfing champion of Tahiti and France.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Marché de Pape’ete

    Marché de Pape’ete

    9.39 MILES

    A Pape'ete institution. If you see one site in town, make it this market, which fills an entire city block. Shop for colourful pareu (sarongs), shell…

  • French Polynesia, Society Islands, Windward Islands, Tahiti Island, Papenoo

    Papenoo

    14.04 MILES

    There’s a popular surf break just before the headland that signals the start of the small village of Papenoo. A long bridge crosses the Papenoo River at…

  • Pointe Vénus & Matavai Bay

    Pointe Vénus & Matavai Bay

    13.88 MILES

    Part of Captain Cook’s mission on his three-month sojourn in 1769 was to record the transit of Venus across the face of the sun in an attempt to calculate…

  • Bain de Vaima & Vaipahi Spring Gardens

    Bain de Vaima & Vaipahi Spring Gardens

    14.64 MILES

    Bain de Vaima (Vaima Pool) is where locals come from all over to bathe in the icy but exceptionally clear waters that are thought to have healing…

  • Faarumai Waterfalls

    Faarumai Waterfalls

    15.37 MILES

    Through the village of Tiarei where the road swoops around a black-sand beach, you’ll see a sign on the mountain side of the road for the exceedingly high…

  • Jardins Botaniques

    Jardins Botaniques

    15.8 MILES

    The 137-hectare Jardins Botaniques has walking paths that wind their way through the garden past ponds, palms, a massive banyan tree and a superb mape…

  • Marae Mahaiatea

    Marae Mahaiatea

    10.66 MILES

    Just east of the village of Papara, the Marae Mahaiatea was the most magnificent marae on Tahiti at the time of Cook’s first visit (according to Cook it…

  • Musée Gauguin

    Musée Gauguin

    16.48 MILES

    This museum has been closed for years but hopefully it will reopen during the life of this book. The airy site surrounded by lush foliage is lovely, and…

View more attractions

Nearby Around Tahiti Nui attractions

1. Marae Marae Taata

0.42 MILES

This very well-maintained site holds three adjoined stone courtyards, each with its own ahu (alter). It was probably used for religious fishing rituals…

2. Plage de Vaiava

0.42 MILES

Beloved by locals, Plage du PK18 is a stunning beach to sun yourself on, but not that great for swimming or snorkelling due to the shallow water. The…

3. Plage du Mahana Park

0.51 MILES

Plage du Mahana Park has calm waters and a snorkelling reef close to shore. On weekends there are kayaks for hire.

4. Marae Arahurahu

1.73 MILES

Whether or not you believe in the powers of the tiki (sacred statue), it’s hard to deny there is an amazing energy radiating from Marae Arahurahu in the…

5. Plage du PK23.5

2.48 MILES

This rather wide (by Tahiti standards) beach is popular with families and has public facilities. The sand is white-grey.

6. Plage de Toaroto

3.1 MILES

This narrow stretch of white coral sand is suitable for swimming and has public facilities.

7. Musée de Tahiti et des Îles

3.29 MILES

Only 15km from Pape’ete along the west coast, this excellent museum, in Puna’auia, is divided into four sections: geography and natural history; pre…

8. Mara’a Grotto

4.59 MILES

Lush gardens, overhung caverns, crystal-clear pools and ferny grottoes are all standard features at gorgeous Mara’a Grotto. The fairy-tale park is found…