RAIATEA AND TAHAARaiatea and Tahaa are two neighboring islands that share the same beautiful lagoon.
TAHAA- The Vanilla Island
For more information regarding accommodations on Tahaa, please refer to the hotels section of our web site. TAHAA HOTELSThe Le Tahaa Pearl Beach Private Island Resort is one of the South Pacific's finest hotels. Offering a full service spa and award winning cuisine, the hotel boasts some of the most beautiful beach and overwater bungalows in the world. For detailed information regarding the hotels in Tahaa we invite you to visit the Tahaa hotels page in the "hotels" section of our website. TAHAA TOURS AND ACTIVITIESSeveral motu islets inside the coral reef provide ideal picnic destinations, with white sand beaches and pretty coral gardens for good snorkeling. A jeep drive across the island offers splendid views and local tour guides will take you on hikes along the islands many walking paths. There is a beautiful walk from the head of Baie Haamena to the head of Baie Hurepiti over Mt. Taira, which divides the island. Please see our Tahaa tours and activities page for additional information. RAIATEA: The Sacred IslandRaiatea is the second largest island in French Polynesia, and is located 120 miles north-west of Tahiti. Tahitians believe Raiatea to be the sacred birthplace of their gods and their religious and cultural beginnings. In fact, the most important and well-preserved religious site in all of Polynesia is here. With the large protected lagoon around Raiatea and her charming sister island of Tahaa, the area has naturally become one of our top locations for sailing, deep sea fishing and scuba diving. It is from Raiatea that the first Polynesians set out for Hawaii and New Zealand, entire tribes sailing off to colonize new shores. Uturoa, the principal village, is the Administrative Center for the Leeward Society Islands. Uturoa has been described as a sleepy little water front town reminiscent of Papeete from years past. A partially paved road circles the island, winding through fertile valleys and wide flatland, past farms and orchards. There are several passes through the lagoon, which also encompasses the neighboring island of Tahaa. On this spectacular, mountainous island, visitors can venture up the Faaroa, the only navigable river in French Polynesia. It is only here, on the slopes of sacred Mount Temehani, that one can glimpse the rare tiare apetahi, a flower found nowhere else on earth. Mount Temehani is also the supposed birthplace of Oro, one of the principal gods of Polynesia. You can also visit the haunting site of Marae Taputapuatea, the best preserved and most sacred site of premissionary Polynesia. There are no beaches on Raiatea. Instead, the island is surrounded by very tiny islands, called motus, which are abundant with beautiful beaches that are excellent for relaxing and swimming. RAIATEA HOTELSRaiatea has two hotels - The Hawaiki Nui and the Vahine Island Resort. For detailed information regarding the hotels in Raiatea we invite you to visit the Raiatea Hotels page in the "hotels" section of our website.
You can also visit the haunting site of the Marae Taputapuatea, the best preserved and most sacred site of premissionary Polynesia. Tapioi Hill provides views of four islands and is only 967 feet high. You can easily hike up the hill in less than an hour. Faaroa Bay is picturesque and is centrally located on the eastern side of the island. Please see our Raiatea tours and activities page for additional information. TOURIST INFORMATIONTAHAA VISITOR’S BUREAU RAIATEA VISITORS BUREAU GETTING THEREAir Tahiti has three daily flights available from Tahiti Faaa International Airport (35 minutes) or from Bora Bora (10 minutes) to the Raiatea Airport There is no airport on Tahaa, but daily shuttle boats and ferries connect Raiatea and Tahaa. GETTING AROUNDTraveling between the islands is not difficult, the voyage takes approximately 20 minutes by boat. On the islands, car rentals, scooters and taxis are available. TahaaEUROPCAR PACIFICAR TAHAA Raiatea"Le truck" charges a nominal fee to transport passengers to their destination in Raiatea. "Le truck" services operates between Uturoa market and each district, coordinating their runs with the ferries schedules and school hours. Transportation from the airport to the hotels and private lodgings is provided by mini-buses, at a charge unless otherwise specified. Taxis are usually available at the Uturoa Airport for each flight arrival, and a taxi-stand is located near the market in the centre of Uturoa. CAR RENTALSPACIFICAR RENTAL EUROPCAR RAIATEA RESTAURANTSIn Tahaa, the Hibiscus Tahitian Restaurant is excellent and great fun. There is always great ukulele and guitar music and singing after dinner. There are Tahitian feasts and parties on the weekends. The Lile Tuuvahine restaurant is also very good QUAI DES PECHEURS LE JADE GARDEN LE GOURMET LE CLUB HOUSE LE MOANA Hotel RestaurantsHAWAIKI PEARL Hotel CHEZ MARIE-FRANCE Hotel HINANO Hotel |
Enclosed within the same barrier reef as Raiatea is the small island of Tahaa,
located across the lagoon and only two miles north of Uturoa. Tahaa has no airport
and is only accessible by boat. It is a round island with fjord-like inlets. Tahaa
is often called the Vanilla Island for its numerous plantations of this black gold. The
rich and puissant aroma of vanilla perfumes the breeze as you drive around the 42 mile
coastal road, through small villages and up into the hills for panoramic views of the
deeply indented bays all around the island. Tahaa produces about 80% of all vanilla in
French Polynesia. While fishing and farming are its main livelihoods, what seduces
visitors are its pretty beaches, coral gardens, and the sandy motus 
On this spectacular, mountainous island, visitors can venture up the Faaroa, the only
navigable river in French Polynesia. It is only here, on the slopes of sacred Mount
Temehani, that one can glimpse the rare tiare apetahi, a flower found nowhere else on
earth. Mount Temehani is also the supposed birthplace of Oro, one of the principal gods of
Polynesia.
 |
Privacy Statement |
Tahiti Travel Planners is a division of New Millennium Tours Inc. |
Travel Terms and Conditions |