South Pacific
French Polynesia
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Tahiti
Punaauia
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Punaauia Beach
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Punaauia Beach

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Punaauia Beach
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
132 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
65
Average
24
Poor
8
Terrible
0
Stunningholiday
Richmond, Canada155 contributions
Restful, peaceful, beach
Mar 2022 • Friends
We stayed across the street snd found it so convenient to visit this beach. The water was lovely and warm. Beautiful tropical fish swam on the rocky edges of the beach. Off in the distance, you could see the overwater bungalows. The Sunset restaurant was great and had lots of locals eating there and enjoying the nice view. Only problem were the ants on the beach which were hard to avoid. I’d still go back in s heartbeat!
Written April 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jay D
Boston, MA302 contributions
TOO MUCH CONFUSION ON REVIEWS HERE!
Aug 2014 • Couples
There is waaaay too much confusion with the reviews on here. Everyone has a different opinion on this beach. First, let me say that I'm a tourist from the U.S. I come from Massachusetts and always use tripadvisor wherever I go in the world. I think someone needs to clarify WHICH beach is really being reviewed here. For those who have not been to Tahiti, there are like 3 beaches near PK 17 and PK 18. If you review the other reviews, some people have said the beach is near PK 17; others PK 18. Some have said the beach has black; others white; some said it was full of pebbles, some say not. There is Rohotu beach, a beach that has Manaa Park, and a beach called Vaiava. Therefore; I can't really do a review on a beach I'm not really clear about. I can say that my wife and I did stop at a beach that had a sign that said "Welcome to Punaaui" which was near PK 18. There were quite a few folks in wheelchairs on the grassy area and no one in the water. A sign read Manaa Park was part of the beach. It was very rocky. We also went to Rohotu beach which was near PK 18. This beach was also pretty rocky. Sorry, I can't be of more help, but what I can say is I DID NOT SEE any signs for Punaaui Beach. There are quite a few in Punaaui, so I don't know how to change the profile to this beach, but there needs to be a clarification on which beach is being reviewed since everyone is reviewing a different beach. It's like me writing "Florida Beach". There's a million in Florida. The heading needs to be specific, so tourists like myself don't go batty looking for specific signage that isn't there.
Written August 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hoanui
Aberdeen109 contributions
Would the real Punaauia beach stand up, please.
Sep 2014
Ok, this is the score. The picture with the two cars isn't Punaauia beach, it's Mahana Park that has a small stoney beach, same with the picture of the showers - Mahana Park, too. Punaauia beach is past Vaiava beach which is itself 100 yards or so past Mahana Park (between Mahana Park and Punaauia). Mahana Park beach is excellent for snorkelling but there is no sand there but a lovely picnic area and a stone area where they hold fire walking shows occasionally.

Vaiava beach is sandy, tiny, crowds easily and has absolutely no reason why you would want to snorkel there. Punaauia beach is still farther up the coast towards Papeete and is a mixture of both Mahana Park beach and Vaiava beach and is much, much bigger than both of these combined. You have to swim out a way to find decent snorkelling. If you don't want to snorkel go to Punaauia beach where the crowds are well spaced out. I thank you. :)
Written July 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
idatater
Danbury, CT178 contributions
A local beach with exotic fish
Oct 2011 • Couples
After trying to search out good places to snorkel my husband and I came across this gem. The parking space is limited, yet, there were few people at the beach so parking didn't become an issue. In all, there were probably less than 10 people at the whole beach. The beach itself isn't super nice, but the real gem is in the water.

Drop your towel, get on your snorkel gear, and walk into the water. Within 10 feet of the shore, we spotted multiple, multi-colored fish. The water was calm and with few people at the beach, the water is all yours. We payed for a snorkel/lunch tour and saw five times more fish, plants, etc. at the public beach then through the tour. And it's all FREE!
Written September 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TAHITI-VAEA
Papeete, French Polynesia180 contributions
Vaiava Beach is the one in Punaauia!
Aug 2014 • Friends
OK. I read a review from a member stating the confusion about Punaauia Beach.
To be clear, you drive from Papeete to Punaauia, you pass the Meridien Hotel and around 2 kms further you will see a brown sign saying VAIAVA Plage, around PK18.
It's at the end of Punaauia district. There is a free parking lot on the beach side. Come early in the morning or around 3pm otherwise parking is full. Another option is the cheap parking lot on the mountain side (I think it's around 300CFP/day).
Walking towards the beach, you will find showers and toilets, fixed tables on grass.
Lots of locals with kids come here. Excellent snorkeling spot and swimming for kids.
Don't forget your snorkeling gear, sunscreen, food and drinks (there is no food stalls ). You can spend the whole day @ the beach, local style!
Best spot to lay down your beach towel is on the right hand side, past the corals on the beach. Fewer people. Also you will find there a renting spot for Stand Up Paddle boards (1000CFP/hour very cheap for Tahiti). This is the place to SUP (all the way to the Meridien hotel on your right side is the best).
Stay here until sun sets behind Moorea. Speechless...
Parking lot closes at 7pm so you have plenty of time.
The best local and public beach in Tahiti.
Written September 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert M
Kelowna, Canada21 contributions
Quiet Beach, easy access
Aug 2013 • Couples
Just aa couple of hundred yards off the road, through a small public park. Free showers available to wash off after being in the ocean.
Calm water, protected by a reef about half mile offshore. Good snorkelling and very safe area.
Written August 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GillyTravelBug
Vancouver, Canada163 contributions
Also know as - PK 17 Beach
Aug 2013 • Couples
This beach has pretty good snorkeling for Tahiti - we followed a school of fish and saw a huge fish. This beach has white sand and was quite popular with the locals. There were showers and washrooms which was beneficial.
Written January 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jordan W
Melfort, Canada246 contributions
Nice place for lunch
Feb 2020 • Couples
We ate lunch here and had the tuna tartare and ceviche. Both were really good. Service was good and the place is poolside / lagoon side and is clean and modern.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrianW21720
Saint Clair Shores, MI45 contributions
Second favorite beach...
Jan 2018 • Friends
Very nice beach that was close to our vacation rental. Calm waters in a large part of the lagoon. Very shallow for children with a deeper area further from shore. We preferred Venus Point more but this was a very close second on our Tahiti beach list.
Written January 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve C
Ottawa, Canada69 contributions
PK 18 Beach
Feb 2016
Decent (when compared to all other Tahiti beaches). A long stretch of white sand (unusual in Tahiti), relatively gradual increase in depth. Clear water with good snorkeling (for Tahiti beaches) just a little ways further down the beach (PK 17.5). Quiet during week, busy with locals/families on weekend.
Written February 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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