Papeete is French Polynesia's capital, on the island of Tahiti, and both a port of call for international cruise ships and a home port for cruises around the islands. More about Papeete →
October 2026 · from today · all times local (Tahiti Time)
Showing 7 of 7 calls in October
Today and the next 7 days · all times local (Tahiti Time)
7% quieter than a typical day in Papeete. Busiest 09:00 – 18:00, when 1 ship is alongside.
Thousands of people in port, guests plus crew. Crowd level compared with a typical Papeete day.
The crowd calendar shows every ship and how busy the port is, hour by hour, plus the quietest and busiest days for the next 90 days.
Cruise ships berth at Port autonome de Papeete's cruise quay and its two large piers, which can take four ships at once, along the waterfront in downtown Papeete. The Te Anuanua international cruise terminal handles embarkation with check-in and baggage halls and an underground car park. The port is within walking distance of markets, shops, restaurants and many local attractions; the municipal market is about 500 m away along Boulevard Pomare. Faa'a International Airport is 7.1 km away, typically 12-20 minutes by taxi.
7.1 km · 12–20 min by car
Tahiti Faa'a Airport is 7.1 km from the cruise terminal via Boulevard de la Reine Pomare IV, typically 12-20 minutes by road. A taxi stand is in front of Terminal 1.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Routes are given to the Te Anuanua cruise terminal on Papeete's waterfront: from the airport for embarking passengers, and from the market and the main sights for passengers on a port call. Taxis wait in front of Terminal 1 at Faa'a Airport; the nearest airport bus stops are on the main road outside the airport, but no bus fare is published. Taxi fares are metered under the official government tariff; no flat airport fare is published.
1 terminal
Port autonome de Papeete's international cruise terminal, designed for ships starting and ending cruises, with capacity for 1,400 passengers, extendable to 2,400. It has a 700 m2 check-in hall, a 750 m2 baggage hall, a 430 m2 space for local crafts and a 205-space underground car park. The port's two large cruise piers can take four ships at once. The public promenade from Parc Paofai to the ferry terminal runs past it along Boulevard Pomare.
The Te Anuanua cruise terminal has a 205-space underground car park run by Port autonome de Papeete. It charges 150 XPF for the first hour and 100 XPF for each further half hour. No daily or per-cruise rate is published, so check with the port before leaving a car for a whole cruise.
Pick the area first. Typical nightly prices, approximate.
Walking distance to the terminal
Pre-cruise nights within walking distance of the waterfront, the market, shops and restaurants.
Late arrivals near the airport
Late-night arrivals and early flights, with options from airport lodges to resort hotels.
Longer pre- or post-cruise stays
Adding a few extra days on Tahiti before or after the cruise, a short drive from the museum.
Brasseries and cafes along the waterfront boulevard a short walk from the cruise terminal.
Cafes in and around the municipal market in the town centre, about 500 m from the terminal.
Papeete is French Polynesia's capital, on the island of Tahiti, and both a port of call for international cruise ships and a home port for cruises around the islands. Ships berth on the downtown waterfront at the Te Anuanua international cruise terminal, within walking distance of markets, shops and restaurants. The municipal market sells fish, fruit, flowers, pareos and crafts from early morning, and Notre-Dame Cathedral stands at PK 0 in the heart of the town. Further out are the black-sand beach and historic lighthouse at Pointe Venus and the Musee de Tahiti et des Iles in Punaauia, each about half an hour by road. Faa'a International Airport is 7 km away for embarking passengers.
Papeete's covered municipal market has halls for fish and meat, fruit and vegetables, flowers and pareos, with a mezzanine for local crafts. The best time to visit is very early in the morning, especially on Sunday.
The cathedral of the Archdiocese of Papeete stands at PK 0 in the heart of the town, with Mass celebrated daily.
Point Venus in Mahina, in the north of Tahiti, is known for its black-sand beach and historic lighthouse, with views of Matavai Bay and Moorea and restaurants and a craft shop near the beach.
Tahiti's museum in Punaauia. Entry 1,000 XPF; free for under-18s and students; audio guide 500 XPF.