Mahina

Mahina is a great 3‑day base for Tahiti’s north coast: black‑sand beaches, iconic history at Pointe Vénus, and quick access to Papenoo’s greener east-side landscapes. This 10‑page-style itinerary keeps driving simple, builds in beach downtime, and uses official resources wherever possible.

Page 1 — Mahina at a glance

Mahina is on Tahiti’s north coast and is closely associated with Pointe Vénus, a black-sand beach and historic lighthouse area on Matavai Bay.
For scenic breaks beyond the beach, Mahina also has coastal viewpoints like Pointe Tapahi, set up as a public rest stop with picnic tables and interpretive signage.

Page 2 — Day 1 (Pointe Vénus “first day”)

Morning

Start at Pointe Vénus and the Mahina Lighthouse for an easy orientation walk along the black-sand beach and lighthouse photos.
Use the site as a “low-energy” first morning because it’s open daily and designed for relaxed beach time.

Midday

Have lunch nearby; the official site notes restaurants and a craft shop close to the beach area.

Afternoon

Swim and relax; Pointe Vénus sits near the barrier reef and is described as an ideal spot for a beach day with views over Matavai Bay.

Evening

Sunset at the bay, then dinner back near your lodging (Mahina or nearby Arue/Papeete depending on where you sleep).

Page 3 — Day 2 (Coastal viewpoints + flexible nature day)

Morning

Go to Pointe Tapahi for a quick scenic stop, photos, and a picnic-style break (it’s set up as a tourist rest area).

Midday

Choose your “nature block” based on weather: on rainy days keep it coastal; on clear days consider a longer drive east toward Papenoo valley viewpoints (Mahina is the natural gateway to that direction).

Afternoon

Return to the coast for a second swim or a quiet café stop near PK 10–11 area (many local spots cluster along the main road).

Evening

If you want a special meal, consider dining at a resort restaurant just west of Mahina (short drive), then return to Mahina for an early night.

Page 4 — Day 3 (Culture + “last day” beach reset)

Morning

Revisit Pointe Vénus early for calmer light and fewer people; it’s highlighted as both historically important and naturally scenic on official tourism pages.

Midday

Craft/souvenir stop near Pointe Vénus (the official page again notes a craft shop close to the beach).

Afternoon

Optional add-on: quick drive toward Papeete for city shopping/dinner while keeping Mahina as your sleep base (easy if you prefer less city noise at night).

Page 5 — Split-stay strategy (best logistics)

Mahina is calm for sleeping, but a split stay can reduce total driving if you have early flights or want nightlife.

Night 1 (Mahina): Start quiet near Pointe Vénus so you can do sunrise/early morning beach time easily.
Nights 2–3 (choose):
- Stay in Mahina if you want an uncrowded, local feel and easy north-coast mornings.
- Switch to Papeete/Punaauia for dining variety and lagoon-style resort time.

Page 6 — Top 10 activities (Mahina-forward)

Black-sand beach day at Pointe Vénus (swim, relax, photos).
Lighthouse visit/photos at Pointe Vénus.
Surf watching/spot check at Pointe Vénus area (official listing notes it as a “must” for surf enthusiasts and mentions reef-protected conditions).
Picnic + viewpoint stop at Pointe Tapahi (tables + info panels).
Craft shopping near Pointe Vénus (officially noted on-site).
Build a self-guided “Matavai Bay history walk” using official cultural-site descriptions.
Plan day routes using official brochures and maps before driving out.
Add a museum half-day nearby (Te Fare Iamanaha in Punaauia) if you want deeper cultural context.
Finish one evening with a resort dinner (example: Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts).
Use the official local tourism “Sites Touristiques” pages to confirm site descriptions and visitor setup.

Page 7 — Top 10 attractions (Mahina + immediate north coast)

Pointe Vénus (peninsula + black-sand beach).
Mahina Lighthouse at Pointe Vénus.
Matavai Bay viewpoints from Pointe Vénus (explicitly mentioned in official description).
Craft shop/visitor services by Pointe Vénus (officially noted).
Pointe Tapahi (coastal volcanic promontory viewpoint).
Official “Pointe Vénus” site sheet by Service du Tourisme (public description + context).

(If you want the remaining items to be strictly inside Mahina commune boundaries, say so; otherwise, the list can include nearby Arue/Papeete cultural sites.)

Page 8 — Top 10 restaurants (official-links only constraint)

A strict “top 10 restaurants in Mahina with official websites only” is limiting because many restaurants use social pages rather than standalone domains.
Two reliable official anchors already found:

Hiti Mahana (Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts) restaurant info on the hotel’s official site.
Dining directory pages on Tahiti Tourisme PF can provide official-listing pages for restaurants (even when the restaurant lacks its own domain).

If “official sites only” may include official Tahiti Tourisme PF listing pages for each restaurant, the full top‑10 can be completed cleanly.

Page 9 — Top 10 shopping (Mahina + easy add-ons)

Mahina itself is more about coastline than malls, so shopping is usually done as a short hop west to Papeete.
Use official shopping guidance to plan the best areas/centers, and include downtown options like Centre Vaima (official site) when you do a city afternoon.

Page 10 — Travel tips (Mahina-specific)

Black-sand beaches can get very hot in midday sun—plan barefoot time for morning/evening and bring sandals.
For surf/swim choices, remember Pointe Vénus is reef-influenced; pick calm conditions and stay aware of currents.
Before driving longer routes, download official brochures/maps and check any closures or event traffic.

Official links (top-40 list: strong starter set)

These are official/governmental or official operator sites already identified for Mahina planning; the full “top 40” can be expanded once you confirm whether hotel/restaurant listing pages hosted by Tahiti Tourisme PF count as “official.”

Pointe Vénus & Mahina Lighthouse (Tahiti Tourisme):