Tahiti’s rugged black sand beaches are often overlooked by those on their way to experience the euphoria of a beach on Moorea – but we recommend that you take a few days to explore Tahiti. The island is centralised around its capital – Papeete, which is something of a contrast to the rest of French Polynesia, with its gritty urban streets, eclectic nightlife and intriguing archaeological sites. For a little culture head to the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands and the Notre Dame Cathedral, while nature lovers should take in the blissful Fautaua Waterfalls.