Island Rhapsody: An Ode to Tahiti’s Surf, Savour & Song

In the cobalt heart of the South Pacific, The Islands of Tahiti sprawl in all their intoxicating glory—a provocative spread of lush landscapes and an ocean so blue it seems otherworldly. This place isn’t just another pretty face on a postcard and it’s far more than a row of thatched-roof overwater bungalows on a pier. It’s a dynamic playground for the adventurous soul, a haven where the familiar turns astonishing in the form of thrilling waves, enigmatic depths, and a culture as vibrant as its sunsets. In this Polynesian paradise, life is synonymous with surf, savour, and song. 

The lure of the waves beckons surfers to the island’s sublime shores. French Polynesia is revered in surfing lore, its gnarly waves having welcomed icons like Laird Hamilton and Kelly Slater, who’ve grappled with Teahupo’o’s formidable swells. And let me tell you, nothing makes you feel more alive than the salty sting of the ocean, riding waves where ancient Polynesians once carved the narrative of surfing long before California even had a clue. With seasons and spots for the novice and the expert, one cannot help but feel a deep spiritual connection with the ocean. 

Yet, French Polynesia doesn’t stop at the water’s surface. Her seduction continues deeper, in the rich blue belly of the Pacific. Remember Jacques Cousteau, that legendary French explorer who fell head-over-flippers for these waters? Well, you can’t help but share his infatuation once you plunge into famed dive spots in the Society Islands, the archipelago of Captain Cook notoriety, including Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora. 

Try a boat dive to Tiki Point, Moorea to check sharks—lemon sharks, grey reef sharks, black tips, and white tips—off your bucket list. Novice divers will love the shallower waters of The Spring on Tahiti, named for the freshwater bubbles fizzling out from an underwater reservoir beneath the reef that seems to attract sea turtles by the masses. And for a kaleidoscope of colourful biodiversity, visitors will love Canyons just south of the Tetiʻaroa atoll. 

And then there’s the music—a polyphonic seduction that sets your pulse dancing to the rhythm of the islands. I found myself at a local Heiva festival, a sensory overload where the vibrant ‘ote’a meets the soulful himene tarava. It’s not just about the beauty of spectacle, but letting your body move to primal rhythms, your heart echoing the beat of the pahu drum—a true testament to the idea that we are all connected in a harmonious nature. 

What would a visit to Tahiti be without diving fork-first into its culinary treasures? Sure, you’ve got your poisson cru, a love affair between fish, lime, and coconut—the heart and soul of Tahitian gastronomy. But then, at Papeete’s terraced Place Vai’ete, amidst the bustling food trucks, you meet the face of Tahiti’s culinary evolution. Try Chez Domingue for fresh tuna with fries and selections of raw fish and charred meats and veggies. 

For an elevated restaurant experience, Arii Moana at Four Seasons Bora Bora features Mediterranean classics in a chic and lively waterside setting. At The Brando’s Les Mutinés on the exclusive atoll Tetiʻaroa, new experiences await as French chef Jean Imbert marries flavours of Polynesia with the classic techniques of France. In this sophisticated setting, each plate is a poem dedicated to the island’s culture and locally sourced ingredients, perfectly paired with wine from top chateaus in France. 

So yes, Tahiti is pretty, it’s beautiful, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a surf-rider’s dream, a diver’s paradise, a music lover’s haven, and a gastronome’s El Dorado. It’s the stories, the people, the heritage, and the flavours—all woven into a living tapestry that pulls you in, inviting you to become a part of it. And that’s what travel is truly about, right? Not just seeing, but living, breathing, and tasting the adventure.

- By Eric Hendrikx

This article was originally published in No. 31 of Globetrotting Magazine.