Point Venus
The black sand point where Cook observed the transit of Venus in 1769, with Tahiti's oldest lighthouse.
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Point Venus is the headland at Mahina where James Cook set up his observatory in 1769 to record the transit of Venus across the sun, the stated purpose of his first Pacific voyage, and the point has carried the name since. A lighthouse built in 1867, the oldest in French Polynesia, stands on it. The beach is black volcanic sand with a river mouth and ironwood trees, and it is a popular local swimming and picnic place.
What you actually see
- The 1867 lighthouse - the oldest in French Polynesia, on the point.
- The Cook connection - the site of the 1769 transit observation.
- The black sand beach - the volcanic shore with ironwood trees behind.
- The river mouth - the stream reaching the sea at the point.
When to go
May to October is the dry season. Weekends bring local families to the beach. Mornings are quietest.
Honest expectations
Nothing survives of the observatory itself; the connection is commemorative. The beach is busy at weekends and litter can be a problem. The lighthouse is not open to visitors.
Nearby
Papeete is west, and Arahoho Blowhole is east.
What to pack for Point Venus
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
