Pointe Vénus Lighthouse, Coastal lighthouse in Mahina, French Polynesia
Pointe Vénus Lighthouse is a navigation aid on Tahiti's northern coast painted with black and white stripes. The structure sits on a headland and continues to guide ships and aircraft traveling through the southern Pacific region.
The lighthouse was built in the 1860s after the location had been used for scientific observation. Its construction was part of European efforts to improve shipping safety across the Pacific.
The site is tied to a scientific mission that brought researchers here to observe an astronomical event. This connection to exploration shapes how locals and visitors understand the location's role in the wider world.
The structure is accessible by road and can be viewed from the surrounding area, which offers good coastal views. Visitors should plan their visit for clear weather when the light is best and crowds are lighter.
During World War II, locals painted coconut palm designs on the lighthouse to hide it from Japanese aircraft. This creative defense attempt shows the resourcefulness of island residents during wartime.
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