Museum of Tahiti and The Islands
Museum · Windward Islands ·

Museum of Tahiti and The Islands

Museum · Windward Islands ·

Polynesian history, art, canoes, and tattooing tools

polynesian culture
history
well laid out
informative displays
french polynesia
canoes
tattooing equipment
garden
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands by null

Information

380354 Punavai, Punaauia 98718, French Polynesia Get directions

Restroom
Family friendly
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom

Information

Static Map

380354 Punavai, Punaauia 98718, French Polynesia Get directions

+689 40 54 84 35
museetahiti.pf
@museetahiti
𝕏
@tahitimusee

Features

•Restroom
•Family friendly
•Wheelchair accessible entrance
•Wheelchair accessible parking lot
•Wheelchair accessible restroom

Last updated

Jan 19, 2026

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@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Somehow, while Europeans were still afraid of falling off the edge of the earth, the Polynesians explored and settled the Pacific, sailing about in giant double-hulled canoes known as pahi . They also found time to make really cool art. At the Musée de Tahiti et des Îles, you can get a feeling for what Tahiti was like in the centuries before Captain Cook. The excellent collection includes ritual objects and plenty of canoes (though sadly, not one of the great pahi). You’ll also see lots of tattooing equipment: Tahitians were masters of the craft."

The Best Things to Do in Tahiti
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Somehow, while Europeans were still afraid of falling off the edge of the earth, the Polynesians explored and settled the Pacific, sailing about in giant double-hulled canoes known as pahi . They also found time to make really cool art. At the Musée de Tahiti et des Îles, you can get a feeling for what Tahiti was like in the centuries before Captain Cook. The excellent collection includes ritual objects and plenty of canoes (though sadly, not one of the great pahi). You’ll also see lots of tattooing equipment: Tahitians were masters of the craft."

Wood grain pattern
The Best of Papeete
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Somehow, while Europeans were still afraid of falling off the edge of the earth, the Polynesians explored and settled the Pacific, sailing about in giant double-hulled canoes known as pahi . They also found time to make really cool art. At the Musée de Tahiti et des Îles, you can get a feeling for what Tahiti was like in the centuries before Captain Cook. The excellent collection includes ritual objects and plenty of canoes (though sadly, not one of the great pahi). You’ll also see lots of tattooing equipment: Tahitians were masters of the craft."

The Best of Papeete
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands

Gary B.

Google
The museum is a nice modern facility with extensive signage in 3 languages. Admission is 10,000 CFP and credit cards are accepted. They do have an audio guide for 5,000 but if you are willing to read the signs it's not needed. The garden is worth seeing, too. At the entrance there are vendors selling the usual trinkets. You can take the #20 bus from Papeete to get close to the museum (about a 10 minute walk). The fare is 200 CFP- the driver provides change.

Katherine M.

Google
We went to this lovely museum Sunday afternoon after a morning on the beach. It was easy to nagivate with a wheelchair, the signs were in French and English, and the staff was welcoming and understanding with our limited French. Well thought out and informative displays introduced us to the history and culture of the islands of Polynesia. We visited on a Sunday and there were local craftsman. We did not budget enough time. If you like history and readying plaques I would recommend 1.5-2 hours at least.

Graeme R.

Google
Fabulous Polynesian experience in this quality museum. Multi language information on cultural pieces from the region. You can get around most of it in an hour. Beautiful tropics garden in the central courtyard. Grab yourself a picnic lunch (from Le Fournil Hautbois on the main road) to enjoy in the spacious main grounds and waterfront.

JeanClaude B.

Google
Awesome Museum. Really high quality for a small country. It’s not large but beautifully presented. Well worth a visit it’s fascinating to learn about the history of French Polynesia. And the South Pacific.

Aysel M.

Google
Even though it looks small, there’s a lot of information you can go through. It’s definitely worth a visit. Very well curated and nicely decorated museum.

Paul O.

Google
This is a lovely collection and a must see to help you contextualize your visit to French Polynesia. The collection is well laid out and the grounds are amazing. Also they have one of Captain Cook’s anchors from the Resolute!

Nick P.

Google
Some imensly powerful pieces of Polynesian culture are on display here. The artifacts are from right across Polynesia's geographical and historical reach and are supported well by multi-lingual explanations and an audio tour. It is a modern and well set out museum. There was also a local exhibition on when we visited which was an additional cost but well worth it. The garden area is also a pleasure to wonder around but led us to the back entrance (the exit) of the main museum. We essential did the exhibition in reverse, which was OK but I wouldn't recomend it. There are some facinating videos at the start (the actual start!) which show a time-line of Polynesian migration which sets the scene for the artifacts.

Carrie K.

Google
We had a few hours before our flight left and decided to take a cab to this museum and we are so glad that we did. It was absolutely incredible the way they have displayed the history of the Polynesian Islands. The exhibits were beautiful, well laid out, and very informative. Both English and French were available so that everyone could understand what was being shared. Once we were ready to leave the kind woman that sold us our tickets was also able to call us a cab and it arrived in less than 10 minutes to take us back to the airport. I highly recommend this museum for all who visit the islands.