No visit to Tahiti is complete without a visit to the Island's unique and fascinating museums. From cultural relics and exhibits chronicling the exploits of famed Tahitian explorers like James Cook and Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, to the earthy art of Paul Gauguin, Tahiti's rich historic legacy begs to be explored.

The Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands is world-renowned for its comprehensive exhibits detailing the history of French Polynesia, while the Gauguin Museum features photos, documents and art by the legendary painter, Paul Gauguin.

The Tahiti Perles Museum in Papeete displays the most beautiful black pearl creations in the world. There's even a quaint colonial-style museum, Musee des Coquillages, that showcases seashells from the region.

The small Musée de la Marine (Tel: 67-75-24) has an interesting collection of ship models made by architect Bertrand Darasse.

There are models of the ships of the early European explorers including Cook's Endeavour and Durmont d'Urville's L'Astrolabe of 1811. This ship, then known as La Coquille, visited Bora Bora with d'Urville in 1823. The pioneering French explorer went on to make important discoveries in the Antarctic before his death in the very first French railway disaster, on the Paris-St Germain line in 1842. Of course there's also a model of Bligh's Bounty and Alain Gerbault's Firecrest.

Entry to the museum is free but a donation is appreciated. Just before the museum there's a small gallery of carvings, pareus and other items.