From the parking lot, it’s a short hike through a grove of chestnut trees to reach the first of the falls, Vaima Hutu—a truly impressive sight, with crystal clear water rushing down a sheer rock face into the pool below. The other two waterfalls, Haamaremare and Haamaremare Iti, are about a 30-minute walk away, and situated close together. Some guided tours of Tahiti include a stop at the Faarumai Waterfalls.
Faarumai is close to Tahiti’s north coast, not far from the Arahoho Blowhole. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Papeete via the island’s main ring road, and is usually included as a stop on a circuit tour. Once you turn off the main coastal road, you’ll follow a dirt track that cuts through the teeming jungle to the parking spots.
The Faarumai Waterfalls flow year round, and are the most dramatic and powerful during Tahiti’s wet season, which takes place from November to April. These are the summer months, when it’s hot, humid, and rainy. Overall, the busiest time to visit is from May through October, when the weather is less sticky.
From the Faarumai Waterfalls, you can walk to the Arahoho Blowhole, where waves crash against the shore, creating a geyser-like eruption through an ancient lava tube. Guided tours from Papeete often include a stop here, as well at the falls and other nearby sights.