Best of the little-known beaches The Islands of Tahiti

Rurutu is famous for its mountains, caves and taro fields, but it’s an island full of other wonderful susrprises as well. One of them is the magnificent beach in the south of the island at Naairoa. A beautiful and magical setting, but you have to cross private land to get there. So be respectful and ask politely for permission. The owners will be more than happy to let you pass.

Hanamoena bay is on the island of Tahuata, perhaps the prettiest of the Marquesas Islands. The beach is a picture postcard setting with a crystal clear sea, ringed with soft white sand and coconut trees as far as the eye can see. The perfect beach for spreading out a pareo, lying down and doing nothing at all!

You can get to Hanatekuua beach on foot with a guided hike that takes about two hours. For the less energetic, and families with small children, you can take a boat excursion from the main village. However you get there, you’ll be delighted with what you find. A magnificent beach for a picnic, a swim and a snorkeling session.

There is a truly superb, isolated, beach of pure white sand on the grounds of a disused hotel at Hana Iti in Huahine. You can get there by car or boat and it really is a little paradise. Beautiful clear and warm turquoise water in a magnificent setting that was used in the French film ‘Le Prince du Pacifique’.