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Raiatea

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Raiatea, the largest of the Leeward Islands, is often referred as “Raiatea the sacred”. Indeed, it was formerly the cultural and religious center of eastern Polynesia, with one of the most important “marae”, Taputapuatea. According to oral traditions, great migrations towards the Hawaiian Islands and New Zealand started from Raiatea. It is a place with a magical atmosphere, dear to the heart of Polynesians.
Raiatea is the only island in Polynesia to possess a navigable river, the Faaroa, which is bordered by luxuriant vegetation. The interior of the island offers superb hiking, horseback riding or 4WD tours, allowing you to explore fertile valleys where crystalline waterfalls nestle in the valley walls. On the Temehani plateau, you’ll find a famous flower called the “Tiare Apetahi”,. It is the pride of the inhabitants and has the strange shape of an open hand and doesn’t grow anywhere else. Beaches are rare on Raiatea, however, the islets which surround the main island are numerous. Often possessing beautiful stretches of white sand, these small islands are truly inviting and perfect for relaxation and bathing. Raiatea is also known for its excellent conditions for pleasure boating and ship cruises all year long. Diverse aquatic activities are available there, of course. Scuba enthusiasts of all levels will be completely satisfied as ten or so underwater sites exist.
Uturoa, the administrative center of the Leeward Islands, constitutes the second urban and economic zone of French Polynesia just after Papeete. It is also the departure point for discovering Tahaa, its neighboring island.

Photo gallery

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Good reasons why you should go there :

• A well preserved spectacular environment : deep bays, waterfalls, vanilla plantations, the Faaroa river – only navigable river of Polynesia – and the “Tiare Apetahi”, that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.
• Awesome “motu”.
• The cradle of the Polynesian culture with the “marae” of Taputapuatea in particular.
• The real boating capital of the islands: optimal navigation conditions, many charters companies located around the bays.
• A special underwater world where diversity reigns: coral gardens, caves, drift diving in the passes, exploration of the three masts Norby shipwreck that sank in 1900.
• Various inland and nautical activities.

Districts :

Uturoa, Avera, Opoa, Puohine, Fetuna, Vaiaau, Tevaitoa and Tainuu.

Population :

more than 12 000 inhabitants.

Surface area :

170 sq km.

Do not miss :

• Faaroa’s garden,
• the Faaroa river (the only navigable river in Polynesia),
• the Belvédère panoramic view,
• the petroglyphs of Fare Atai,
• the “marae” Taputapuatea, which has been the point of departure of the migrations to the Polynesian Triangle (Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island), according to oral traditions
• the Temehani plateau (where the endemic flower and symbol of Raiatea, “Tiare Apetahi”, grows),
• Uturoa market.

Things to do :

• Nautical activities :
  - lagoon excursions with picnic on a “motu”,
  - visit of pearl farms,
  - lagoon cruises,
  - yachting,
  - scuba diving,
  - swimming and snorkeling,
  - snorkeling reef tour,
  - deep sea sport fishing,
  - motor boat rental,
  - kayaking,
  - boating or canoeing on the Faaroa river,
  - surfing,
  - fly surfing.
• Inland activities :
  - mini golf,
  - guided tours,
  - 4WD safari tours,
  - hiking (Mt Tapioi, plateau of Temehani, Les Trois Cascades and the Sentier of Faaroa).
• Other(s) :
  - aerial tour of the island by helicopter,
  - art galleries and workshops.

Practical information :

• Tourist information : in Uturoa.
• Banking Service(s) : Banque de Polynésie, Banque Socredo and Banque de Tahiti. ATM.
• Post office(s) : in Uturoa and Avera.
• Phone box(es) : available in every district.
• Shopping : supermarkets, bookshop, local craft shops, jewelry stores & art galleries.
• Restaurant(s) : French, local & International cuisine, Asian and Italian cuisine.
• Medical services : a hospital, a dispensary and a drugstore. Several private doctors.
• Cyberspace(s) facility(es) : ITS Multimedia (Uturoa), Vaitronic (Uturoa).

Did you know that ? :

• Raiatea used to be called Havai’i Nui in the past
• The “Tiare Apetahi”, endemic flower, only grows on the Mt Temehani and nowhere else in the world.
• With its 238 sq km, Raiatea is the French Polynesia fourth biggest island, after Tahiti, Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa (in Marquesas Islands).
• Raiatea is the only island having a navigable river, the Faaroa river.

Flight schedule :

AIR TAHITI time-table and fares

Our accommodations in Raiatea :

Our suggested single island packages

Our suggested island combos