Tahaa

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.