Papeete Private Tour - A Look at Tahiti's Nature on the West Coast

A trip to Tahiti would not be complete without a visit to Tahiti's west coast. Visit the charming Vaipahi Waterfalls and be captivated by its beauty. Explore the Botanical Garden, which was established in 1919 by Harrison Smith, a physics professor who left the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at age 37 to dedicate the rest of his life to botany in Tahiti. Inspire the photographer and enchant the nature lover in you.

Begin with a visit to the romantic Vaipahi Garden, located in a tropical valley decorated with rare species of precious wood, birds of paradise and torch of ginger flowers, glossy leaves of taro and giant elephant ears.

At the Maraa Fern Grotto, the grotto at first appears small but it is quite deep and some Tahitians believe varua inside (evil spirits) lurk in the shadowy depths. Others say that if you follow an underground river back from the grotto you'll emerge at a wonderful valley in the spirit world.

Paul Gauguin wrote of a swim he took across the small lake in the cave.
The next stop is the Botanical Garden, which was established in 1919 by Harrison Smith, a physics professor who left the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at age 37 to dedicate the rest of his life to botany in Tahiti. He introduced over 200 species to the island, among them the sweet grapefruit (pomelo), mangosteen, rambutan, and durian. Admire a large Galapagos tortoise traipses through the east side of the garden. Read more information about the Papeete Private Tour - A Look at Tahiti's Nature on the West Coast »