World Country Guide

Sport & Activities

Watersports
The sea around the South Pacific islands offers excellent scuba diving. There are 32 diving clubs in Tahiti which are members of the French Diving Federation and which are open all year round. Equipment can be hired and charter boats can take divers to the best areas. Further details are available from Tahiti Tourisme (see Contact Addresses section). Windsurfing and water-skiing are also well provided for. To supplement the numerous sandy beaches and clear lagoons, there is an olympic-size swimming pool at boulevard Pomare, Papeete, as well as pools at many hotels. The largest yachting organisation is the Yacht Club de Tahiti. Waters around the islands are ideal for small craft, and several clubs and hotels hire out craft. Fully-equipped deep-sea fishing boats are available for charter at Tahiti Actinautic. The Haura (Marlin) Club is a member of the International Game Fishing Association. Other holiday villages and hotels can arrange trips.

Spectator sports
Football is popular throughout the islands and can be seen almost anywhere. Fautaua Stadium near Papeete is a major venue on Sunday afternoons. Tahitian-style horse racing can be seen at the Hippodrome in Pirae. Races are held 12 to 15 times a year. Other scheduled spectator sports include archery, cycling and canoeing.

Other
Club Alpin in Arue provides information and assistance for climbing Mount Aorai, with a shelter at 1798m (5900ft), Mount Diademe and Mount Orohena. Hourly and day-long horseriding tours can be arranged through Club Equestre de Tahiti and Centre de Tourisme Equestre de Tahiti, both at the Hippodrome, Pirae, Tahiti. Tennis courts are available at Fautaua Tennis Club, which offers temporary membership to visitors. Many of the islands' hotels have courts and some are available to non-residents. There is an 18-hole golf course at Atimaono. Mountain bikes and 4-wheel-drive vehicles can be hired to explore the interior. Paragliding is available.