Bain de Vaima & Vaipahi Spring Gardens

Around Tahiti Nui


Bain de Vaima (Vaima Pool) is where locals come from all over to bathe in the icy but exceptionally clear waters that are thought to have healing properties. Unfortunately there are so many visitors here on weekends and holidays that the ‘clean’ pools can get filled with rubbish.

The Vaipahi Spring Gardens further along is a beautifully landscaped garden with a magnificent natural waterfall.

There’s a small network of hiking trails that lead from a signpost with a map up to more waterfalls and forests of mape (chestnut) and pine trees. The longest loop takes a little over two hours to walk if you’re in reasonable shape – some parts are pretty steep!


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Around Tahiti Nui attractions

1. Jardins Botaniques

1.4 MILES

The 137-hectare Jardins Botaniques has walking paths that wind their way through the garden past ponds, palms, a massive banyan tree and a superb mape…

2. Musée Gauguin

1.9 MILES

This museum has been closed for years but hopefully it will reopen during the life of this book. The airy site surrounded by lush foliage is lovely, and…

3. Mataiea

2.06 MILES

Between 1891 and 1893, Paul Gauguin lived in Mataiea where he produced works including Two Women on the Beach, Woman with a Mango and Ia Orana Maria –…

4. Marae Mahaiatea

5.79 MILES

Just east of the village of Papara, the Marae Mahaiatea was the most magnificent marae on Tahiti at the time of Cook’s first visit (according to Cook it…

5. Plage de Taharuu

6.04 MILES

Everybody loves Plage de Taharuu – locals taking the kids for a swim, tourists on day trips from Pape’ete and surfers catching some great waves. This…

6. Maui Beach

6.27 MILES

A picturesque strip of white sand, Maui Beach gets packed and noisy on weekends, but is peaceful during the week. It’s right on the road but has shallow…

7. Marae Nuutere

7.31 MILES

A signposted turn-off at PK9.5 leads a short distance inland to the rarely visited remains of Marae Nuutere, restored in 1994. There are three paved yards…

8. Marae Anapua

7.82 MILES

Another beautifully restored archaeological site, Marae Anapua is worth a gander.