Currency
CFP Franc (XPF)
Language
French, Tahitian
Time Zone
TAHT (UTC-10)
Best Time to Visit
Sep–Nov
Typical Duration
7-36 nights
Price Range
$954.50–$94,500 per person
Port Type
Departure & Port of Call
Tender Port
No
Papeete is the gateway to French Polynesia's iconic South Pacific islands, offering cruisers access to pristine lagoons, overwater bungalows, and the vibrant culture of Tahiti and its neighboring islands.
Cruises that visit Papeete, Tahiti
- cruises to Papeete, Tahiti
- Papeete, Tahiti sailings
- Papeete, Tahiti cruises
- 8-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 8-night The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise
- 9-night The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise
- 10-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 10-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 10-night Silversea cruise
- 11-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 11-night Silversea cruise
- 11-night Silversea cruise
- 11-night Silversea cruise
- 11-night Silversea cruise
- 11-night Silversea cruise
- 12-night Silversea cruise
- 12-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 12-night The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise
- 12-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 12-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 12-night The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise
- 12-night Seabourn cruise
- 12-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 13-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 13-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 13-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 13-night Silversea cruise
- 13-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 13-night Seabourn cruise
- 14-night Silversea cruise
Build Your Day in Papeete, Tahiti
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 10:00 PM
Usually about 14 hours ashore
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Getting around:
Papeete Market
Local market for varied produce
Belvedere Lookout
Scenic spot with mountain & bay views
Les 3 Brasseurs
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Place Vai'ete
One of the authentics things to do at papeete.
Pā'ōfa'i Gardens
Landscaped park with recreational space
Le Retro
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Le RAINA
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 11 AM Mon
Restaurant Le Moana
Dine-in·No delivery
Urban Café
Lovely modern interior and there is an outside space with a pool table.
Le Sully
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Mon
Le Lotus
Elegant setting 2 Star Michelin chef... fantastic.
Closed · Opens 12 PM
Musée de la Perle Robert Wan
Exhibits on the history of pearl jewelry
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
L'O A La Bouche
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Tue
Meherio Tahitian Bistro
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Plage de la Pointe Venus
This beach is very good for swimming and has great facilities.
Vaima Shopping Center
It was crowded and a lil dirty but prices were ok
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
Café Maeva Marché de Papeete
Strongly recommended for breakfast, very good croissant and coffee.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Catholic church inaugurated in 1875
Maru Maru
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Tue
Botanica
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Cruise ships dock in Papeete
Onsite services
Bougainville Park
Quiet park for shaded walks
Belvédère du Tahara'a
This is one of the most stunning viewpoints on the island of Tahiti.
Brasserie des Remparts Tahiti
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
Tiki Bar
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 10 AM
REEFTOP - 360° lounge & bar
Dine-in
Closed · Opens 4 PM
Plage Lafayette
We swam here twice while visiting Tahiti.
Pacific Plaza Mall
Have found everything I needed here plus friendly staff.
Open · Closes 1 PM
Tahiti Pearl Market
Attentive, no-pressure service and great selection.
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Kaūa'a Coffee shop
Air conditioning and the most amazing breakfast + iced lattes!
Closed · Opens 6:30 AM Mon
Le BAROOF
Cool bar Live music Great vibe and great cocktails
Closed · Opens 4:30 PM
Moko Café Tahiti
Dine-in
Closed · Opens 6 AM Mon
The Surf House Tahiti
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Tue
La Petite Maison
Closed · Opens 6:30 AM Mon
Le Grillardin
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 12 PM Mon
Plage publique de Toaroto
Narrow white sand beach with good access from the park.
LE QUINN'S RESTAURANT BAR
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 5 PM
Restaurant Hei
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Tue
HINANO LIFE
Picked out two tees ($46 US ea) and a zip hoodie ($65 US).
Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Mon
Villa Conti - Tahiti
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Tue
Kozy restaurant
The food here was literally the best food I had in Tahiti.
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Mon
Kon Tiki Coffee Tahiti
Great coffee, excellent food and service warm and friendly.
Tahiti by boat
Onsite services·Online appointments
Café Roti
The coffee was great, especially the mocha!
Coffee shop Tahiti
Quality, healthy food with really friendly and quick service.
Closed · Opens 6 AM Mon
Kaūa'a - Atelier de torréfaction
Awesome coffee, delicious quiche, super friendly staff.
Closed · Opens 6:30 AM Mon
La Petite Auberge
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Tue
Plage de Ahonu
Great little beach with a shower to wash off
Brasserie Hoa
Fun games, great beers and friendly staff.
Closed · Opens 4 PM Wed
Wonderland
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
L'auberg'in
Dine-in·Takeout
Closed · Opens 7 PM Tue
Le Velvet
Dine-in·No delivery
Hip Lounge
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 7 AM Mon
MANUA Exquisite Tahitian Art
Onsite services
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
La Strada restaurant
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 6 PM
Place To'ata
Tribeca
Dine-in
Plage Publique de Papehue
ART'GRICULTURE Tahiti
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
SOUVENIRS Distribution "Le Curios"
Lower prices and good selection.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
Tahiti Pack
Delivery
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
L'After
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 11 AM Tue
Baie de Papeno'o
Closed · Opens 12 AM Mon
Be You Tahiti
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 2:30 PM Wed
Fare du Café et Millésime
Nice Customer service
Closed · Opens 7 AM Tue
Aloha
Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Mon
TAHITI ACTIVITIES CENTER / TE MOANA EXPLORATION
Onsite services
Opens soon · 8 AM
Plage de taaone
Heiva Lounge Bar
Dine-in
Lux Tahiti
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 6 PM Thu
Le Chaplin's
Dine-in
boutique Tahiti porinetia
Their design are modern and really cool.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
Fā'ati City
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
Fenua Shopping Mamao
In-store shopping
Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Mon
Tahiti Paradise Activities
Closed · Opens 8 AM Tue
Dans L'air Du Temps Head Kitchen Privé- Traiteur
Dine-in·Drive-through·No-contact delivery
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
Papeete, Tahiti
is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here —
it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.
About Papeete, Tahiti
Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, stands as one of the South Pacific's premier cruise destinations, welcoming eleven major cruise lines including Silversea, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Norwegian Cruise Line. With 239 upcoming sailings and strong year-round service, this vibrant port functions as both an embarkation point and a port of call, making it ideal whether you're beginning your voyage or simply stopping by. Most cruises departing from Papeete span seven nights, with many exploring the stunning nearby islands of Bora-Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, and Huahine, while others venture across the Pacific to Hawaii.
Cruise passengers arriving in Papeete discover a lively blend of Polynesian culture and French colonial charm right at the waterfront. The bustling Papeete Market offers an authentic introduction to local life, while nearby beaches and lagoons provide opportunities for swimming and water activities. Peak travel months include January, February, March, September, and October, when the weather is ideal for exploring this enchanting corner of the Pacific.
Cruise passengers arriving in Papeete discover a lively blend of Polynesian culture and French colonial charm right at the waterfront. The bustling Papeete Market offers an authentic introduction to local life, while nearby beaches and lagoons provide opportunities for swimming and water activities. Peak travel months include January, February, March, September, and October, when the weather is ideal for exploring this enchanting corner of the Pacific.
Cruise Lines at Papeete, Tahiti
- Silversea (68 cruises)
- Seabourn (43 cruises)
- Norwegian Cruise Line (37 cruises)
- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (28 cruises)
- MSC Cruises (23 cruises)
- PONANT EXPLORATIONS (19 cruises)
- Oceania Cruises (17 cruises)
- Holland America Line (16 cruises)
- Viking Ocean Cruises (12 cruises)
- Royal Caribbean International (7 cruises)
- Celebrity Cruises (5 cruises)
- Explora Journeys (3 cruises)
- Carnival Cruise Line (1 cruise)
Cruises Departing From Papeete, Tahiti
Cruises Visiting Papeete, Tahiti
Ship Schedule at Papeete, Tahiti
Papeete, Tahiti Location
Other Cruise Ports in French Polynesia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Papeete known for?
Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia and the gateway to Tahiti; known for markets and lagoons.
When is the best time to visit Papeete?
The dry season from May to October offers cooler, sunnier weather and calmer seas.
What can I do in Papeete?
Explore the vibrant market, waterfront, museums, and use Papeete as a base for Tahiti island trips.
Is Papeete safe for travelers?
Papeete is generally safe; practice standard precautions and guard belongings in crowded areas.