In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Tahiti - any experiences?
I lived in Punaauia for two months this past winter, remote working and exploring on weekends. My budget was US $140/day, which covered a small apartment ($1,500/month), cafe coworking, car rental, groceries, and a couple of diving excursions. Total came out to US $8,400 - a bit steep, but I included weekend ferry trips to islands. If you're planning more relaxed island life, budget US $3,600-4,200/month depending on accommodation choices.
Backpacking between Tahiti, Huahine, and Raiatea, I managed on US $85/day. Stayed in cheap pensions or camped, cooked some meals, and used public ferries. That total came to roughly US $1,800 for a month. It was simple and took effort, but definitely possible if you're mindful of ferry schedules and pack well.
During a four-week stay last year, I averaged US $175/day - private island bungalows were about $100/night, with the rest covering boat trips, dining at brasseries, and inter-island flights on Air Tahiti. I tipped sparingly. All-in, the trip cost around US $4,900. Expect that range if you want a mix of comfort and local adventures.
I spent three weeks between Papeete and Moorea this spring, and lived modestly on about US $120/day. Dorm-style pensions were around $30-40/night, meals at local roulottes were $10-15, and ferry tickets to Moorea were roughly $25 round-trip. Add in water-taxi rides, entrance fees, and occasional snorkeling - I came in just under US $2,500 total.