Beach· Tahiti· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Plage de Toaroto (PK15.4), Punaauia
17° 38.4′ S · 149° 36.6′ W
A white-sand public beach on the Punaauia lagoon facing Moorea, reached by a sand path under tiare trees; historically a chiefs' lookout over the passage.
Practical
Coordinates: centre of the beach as mapped on OpenStreetMap. Public site (Service du Tourisme): parking at the entrance, Polynesian-style toilet block; reef-protection works were done in 2021. Snorkelling is good along the 500 m stretch toward the Tahiti Ia Ora resort (max about 3 m; the reef is 700–800 m out, so stay within 150–200 m of the beach). Spotted eagle rays, morays and Moorish idols; Turbinaria seaweed has invaded parts of the reef (snorkeling-report, April 2021). Park on the right just after the Mobil station.
Best for
Quiet beach swim and snorkel near Taina
Nearby
- Musée de Tahiti et des Îles (Punaauia)0.5 NM away
- Pointe des Pêcheurs (La Source) Snorkel, Punaauia0.5 NM away
- La Source & Plateau aux Tortues (Pointe des Pêcheurs)0.6 NM away
- Temaruata (off PK18, Punaauia)0.8 NM away
- Plage de Vaiava (PK18), Punaauia1.2 NM away
- Vaiava (PK18) Lagoon Snorkel (Punaauia)1.2 NM away
- Saint-Étienne Drop-offs (Grand Tombant, Faille St-Étienne, Piton aux Gorgones)1.7 NM away
- Paea Passes Dives (Fausse Passe, Arche & Voûte de Paea)2.5 NM away