Papeete (Tahiti Island French Polynesia)
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
Region
Australia - New Zealand - Pacific Ocean Islands
Local Time
2023-11-28 18:58
25.5°C
12.4 m/s
75 °F / 25 °C
Papeete the largest cruise port in French Polynesia (overseas territory of France since 1946). It is located on Tahiti Island (the largest of Windward Islands) and annually handles around 2 million cruise ship tourists. Papeete Town has total area approx 17 km2 (7 mi2) and population around 26,000.
City's growth was boosted after moving the nuclear weapon test range from Algeria to the attols Mururoa and Fangataufa - approx 1500 km (930 mi) to the east of Tahiti. This led to the building of Faaa International Airport - opened in 1962, and located just 5 km (3 mi) southwest from downtown Papeete. Faaa is currently the only international airport in French Polynesia. Faaa Airport is served by the airlines:
- Air Tahiti (domestic inter-island flights only), Aircalin (Noumea New Caledonia)
- Air Tahiti Nui (connecting with Auckland NZ, Los Angeles USA, Paris, Tokyo)
- Air France (with Paris, Los Angeles USA)
- Air New Zealand (with Auckland)
- French Bee (with Paris, San Francisco USA)
- Hawaiian Airlines (with Honolulu)
- LATAM Chile (with Easter Island, Santiago)
- United Airlines (with San Francisco USA)
Regularly scheduled ferries connect Papeete with Moorea and Bora Bora. Port's high cruising season is June-August. Papeete is included in the cruise ship schedules of major luxury cruise companies like Princess, Oceania, Silversea, RSSC-Regent, Seabourn, Windstar. Papeete is often visited on repositioning cruises between Australia and Alaska (usually via Hawaii).
As homeport for Paul Gaugin Cruises, Papeete serves turnarounds (roundtrip itineraries) by MS Paul Gaugin to French Polynesian destinations in Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands. In Papeete are also homeported two of world's most famous "cargo cruise ships" - Aranui 3 (2002) and Aranui 5 (2015). Both are Ro-Pax vessels offering Papeete cruise itineraries (2-week long roundtrips) visiting ports in Marquesas and Society Islands.
In 2018, the cruise port reported a record season with handled 1070 ship calls (including 140 roundtrips). In 2019, cruise shipping traffic increased by ~15%. In 2018, Port Papeete started offering new fly-cruise package via partnership with the airlines United (USA Chicago-based) and French Bee (France Paris-based).
Papeete cruise terminal
Cruise ships to Tahiti Island dock at Papeete - port town on island's northwestern coast. Papeete cruise terminal is located in Papeete Harbor at Port de Plaisance. The facility has berthing capacity four cruise vessels simultaneously. Under construction is a new cruise terminal facility, that will increase port's capacity as both number of ships and GT tonnage (vessel size). When completed, at the new terminal will be able to dock larger liners with passenger capacity up to 2400.
Taxis usually are not available between 8 PM and 6 AM. In this period tourists usually pay up by 30% higher than usual taxi rates. “Le truck“ is a regularly scheduled large bus service, also used by most of the locals. Port's parking area is in front the cruise terminal.
Right next to the cruise terminal is Tahiti's Tourism Office, providing tourists with information on all available for booking guided city tours and cruise shore excursions. Downtown's streets are very congested, and road traffic is often an issue. A freeway starts close to downtown (Pomare Blvd).
Papeete tours, shore excursions, hotels
City Tours and Shore Excursions
- The Lagoonarium: located seven miles away from Papeete, direction West. Explore the wonderful marine life from underneath.
- The Municipal Market: big area with fresh vegetables and fruits. Find and buy interesting Tahiti items – handcrafts, food or souvenirs. You can listen to native music during lunchtime or join the Sundays festivals.
- Point Venus: located six miles away from Papeete, direction East. It is romantic place known since 1769. this was the year when Captain James Cook observed the Venus transit across the sun. you spend great time at the beach, have a picnic or buy something from the souvenir and handcraft shops.
- Paul Gauguin Museum: reproductions of Paul Gauguin’s works
- Arahurahu Marae: explore this amazing religious site with its old temples and statues.
- Beaches: Sofitel Maeva Beach, Mahana Park, Paea, Taharuu.
- Cathedral of Notre Dame de Papeete: consecrated since 1875 and renovated in 1987.
- Museum of Tahiti: located on former sacred “marae”. Discover the Polynesian history with its artifacts exhibitions
Port Papeete cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Papeete, Tahiti Island French Polynesia. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.
Day | Ship | Arrival | Departure |
---|---|---|---|
2 November, 2023 Thursday | ![]() | 09:00 | |
3 November, 2023 Friday | ![]() | 05:00 | |
5 November, 2023 Sunday | ![]() | ||
7 November, 2023 Tuesday | ![]() | 20:00 | |
7 November, 2023 Tuesday | ![]() | ||
8 November, 2023 Wednesday | ![]() | 18:00 | |
8 November, 2023 Wednesday | ![]() | 07:00 | 22:00 |
9 November, 2023 Thursday | ![]() | 09:00 | 18:00 |
11 November, 2023 Saturday | ![]() | 08:00 | 17:00 |
13 November, 2023 Monday | ![]() | 20:00 | |
14 November, 2023 Tuesday | ![]() | 23:00 | |
16 November, 2023 Thursday | ![]() | 09:00 | 18:00 |
17 November, 2023 Friday | ![]() | 19:00 | |
18 November, 2023 Saturday | ![]() | 18:00 | |
21 November, 2023 Tuesday | ![]() | 09:00 | 04:00 |
26 November, 2023 Sunday | ![]() | 21:00 | |
27 November, 2023 Monday | ![]() | 18:00 | |
29 November, 2023 Wednesday | ![]() |
- Cruise Industry
Princess Cruises Australia 2025-2026 program features Discovery Princess ship's debut
Princess Cruises has unveiled its 2025-2026 Australia cruise program, featuring the debut of Discovery Princess Down Under and the longest-ever world...
November 16, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Seabourn introduces new expedition itineraries for 2025-2026
The ultra-premium travel brand Seabourn has disclosed its forthcoming 2025-2026 expedition itineraries, presenting a series of explorations to some...
October 27, 2023 - Cruise Industry
NCL returns to Asia with the Norwegian Jewel ship from Tokyo, Japan
NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line marked its highly anticipated return to the Asian cruise market on Thursday, October 19, with the departure of the...
October 19, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Oceania announces 7 new 2025 summer cruises to French Polynesia & Hawaii
Oceania Cruises has unveiled plans for 7 new summer sailings in 2025, offering voyages to French Polynesia and Hawaii aboard the Regatta ship...
September 22, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Aranui 3 cruise ship to accommodate surfers participating in the 2024 Olympic Games
An innovative and picturesque lodging solution has been revealed for surfers participating in the 2024 Olympic Games in Tahiti, French Polynesia...
August 6, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Oceania Cruises launches 100 sailings in the Caribbean & Tahiti 2024-2025
Oceania Cruises has revealed its plans for the 2024-2025 season, which will include 100 voyages in the Caribbean and the Pacific. These cruises will...
August 6, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Paul Gauguin's 2025 cruises explore Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, and the South Pacific
Reservations are now open for the 2025 itineraries offered by Paul Gauguin Cruises (PONANT's fully-owned subsidiary), which include 26 voyages across...
June 17, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Paul Gauguin Cruises unveils 2025 itineraries for MS Paul Gauguin
PGC/Paul Gauguin Cruises has unveiled a preview of its 2025 plans for ms Paul Gauguin, a ship that can accommodate 330 guests. Starting from June...
June 13, 2023 - Cruise Industry
HAL-Holland America unveils 2024-2025 Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific cruises
In 2024-2025, HAL-Holland America Line is deployes 3 ships in the South pacific (Australia, New Zealand, and the islands). MS Westerdam will be...
May 30, 2023 - Cruise Industry
HAL-Holland America opens bookings for 2025 Grand World Voyage & Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole
After a successful pre-booking period, HAL-Holland America officially commenced public bookings on May 24th for its 2 newest Grand Voyages. These...
May 26, 2023 - show more news