Raiatea & Tahaa
Looking out from Bora Bora or Huahine, your see what appears to be the outline of one island looming on the horizon. It is in fact two distinct islands – Raiatea and Taha’a surrounded by a singular reef that lies 229 kms. northwest of Tahiti.
While not one of the popular tourism stops, Raiatea is signficant as a historical and cultural center. Mount Temehani in the north and Taputapuatea in the south, were the once the most important maraes of Polynesia. And the great Polynesian sailors, who colonized Hawaii and New Zealand, departed from the shores of Raiatea. Today the island is home to 10,000 people and serves as the economic and administrative center of the Leeward islands. Its leading town, Uturoa, with a population of 4,000 is second in populace only to Papeete.
Raiatea, meaning “faraway heaven” and “sky with soft light”, was first named Havai’i after the homeland of the ancient Polynesians and is the most sacred island in the South Pacific. This, the second largest Tahitian isle, was the center of religion and culture over 1000 years ago and still lends enchantment to ancient legends told to this day. The green-carpeted mountains include the celebrated Mt. Temehani, a sort of Polynesian Mt. Olympus.
Raiatea is served by Air Tahiti with frequent 40-minute flights from Papeete and Moorea, and with several daily 15-minute flights from Huahine and Bora Bora. Taha’a is served only by water taxi from Raiatea’s airport and guests of the Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa can also arrange for a helicopter transfer from Bora Bora airport. Transport from the airport to the hotels should be arranged by your preferred travel professional or by your hotel.
Ferry service also connects Raiatea with Bora Bora, Huahine, and Papeete, but runs infrequently. Both Raiatea and Taha’a have a few taxis, and Raiatea operates the public transit system, Le Truck, with daily routes from outlying villages to the town of Uturoa.
The island of Raiatea is the main hub for sailing activities in French Polynesia. Long regarded as the yacht charter capital of Tahiti, the island is home to several yacht charter companies.
The Raiatea Hawaiki Nui Resort offers sunrise views and close proximity to the main town of Uturoa. In addition to the fine dining restaurant at this resort, there is a open-air and intimate restaurant at the Vahine Island Resort.
The circle-island and interior roads are best explored through hired excursion or by renting a car. To explore the lagoon, choose among motorboat, sailboat, or outrigger canoe rentals for a half or full day.
Taha’a is smaller in size and population (1,500) than its sister Raiatea. There are only a few villages on the island and few places to stay other than the super luxurious Le Taha’a Private Island & Spa. The resort’s restaurant, Ohiri, offers a 5-star culinary experience.
Taha’a, with the rich aroma of vanilla lingering heavily in the air, offers a glimpse into the tranquil Tahitian life. The island’s simple beauty features soft mountain shapes surrounded by a motu with bright sand beaches. In the fertile valleys of the island’s interior, local farmers grow vanilla, watermelons and copra.
The scented air of Taha’a comes from the vanilla pods left to cure in the sun. Over 80% of Tahiti’s famous vanilla harvest is grown here. Plantation tours include strolling among the rows of climbing orchids and a demonstration of the pollination and curing processes.
Travel by powered outrigger canoe up the Faaroa River, the only navigable river in Polynesia. These historic waters were the launch point for the ancient Polynesian voyages of discovery to Hawaii and New Zealand.
Explore the most sacred and revered marae in Polynesia – Taputapuatea on Raiatea. Considered a national monument this large archaeological area is easily explored by foot and contains a plethora of marae and shrines.
You can drive along the coast of Taha’a and linger in the quaint villages of Haamene with its pearl farm and turtle preserve; Patio, which is known for fishing and copra and Tiva for its surrounding vanilla plantations.
