French Polynesia Sports & Outdoors Tips by easyoar Top 5 Page for this destination

Spearing coconuts

Whilst we were at the Museum of Tahiti and her Islands, I spotted some tall metal poles with coconuts on top. After visiting the museum, I asked one of the security guards there what they were for.

He had difficulty explaining in English to me, and told me to follow him. He went to a back room, and picked up this long thin spear thing and said you had to spear the coconut with it. He then took me to the tall poles and showed me what to do and gave me an opportunity to try. I was fairly pleased to be somewhere in the general direction of the coconut. He narrowly missed on several occasions.

I found this to be a very enjoyable experience as it was so unexpected, and the guard at the museum was so friendly and helpful. If you go there, it is worth asking what the poles are to see if you get the same demonstration!

This picture shows the security guard and his spear. The pole with the coconut is some distance behind him, and appears to be growing out of his head. He's a great guy and very friendly, if you see him, ask him about his sport!

Address: Museum of Tahiti and her Islands

Directions: Whilst this is in the grounds of the Museum of Tahiti and her Islands, it isn't an exhibit or anything, I just think the guards and friends play there.

Theme: Other

Borrow/Rent an outrigger canoe

These outrigger canoes are great fun to paddle about in. If you have ever been in a single scull (to the uninitiated, it is a very thin 'rowing' boat for just one person), this will feel very stable. On the other hand, if you haven't, you will have a good chance of turning one of these over!

If you don't have experience, make sure you don't take any cameras that would be 'allergic' to water in the boat with you, or anything that might sink should it suddenly find itself in the water! Don't try and swap positions in the canoe once you set out unless you exercise extreme caution, unless of course you don't mind a dip! You are very unlikely to roll it over the side of the rigger, but the other side has nothing to brace the boat.

Equipment: You'll need a boat, and at least one paddle, depending on how many people you have in the boat.

Theme: Kayaking/Canoeing

Canoeing in French Polynesia

Once you had paid to visit the Lagoonarium on Moorea, it was free to use most of the facilities there. This made it incredibly good value in French Polynesia, where everything seems to be at rip-off prices.

These boats are very easy to steer and hard to capsize and great fun. But be careful you don't burn too much. I appear to be wearing a lot of clothing in this picture, and it wasn't because it was cold! I had just started to burn with all the sun reflecting off the water!

When I tried to go all the way around the Lagoonarium in this, the wind got so strong on one side of the island that I ended up turning back as I reckon I would have otherwise capsized or been blown into the rocks! So take care.

Theme: Kayaking/Canoeing