How do I get to the islands of Huahine, Raiatea or the Tuamotus?

All these islands are linked by regular Air Tahiti flights departing from Papeete. The journey generally takes less than an hour. For the Marquesas, which are further away, the flight time is around 3? hours.

What's so special about the island of Taha'a?

It is known as the “Vanilla Island” because it produces over 80% of Tahiti’s famous vanilla. The air is literally fragrant. This is also where the traditional “stone fishing” takes place every November, a spectacular ancestral technique.

Why is Fakarava a UNESCO World Heritage site?

Fakarava is a Biosphere Reserve because of the purity of its environment and the rarity of its flora and fauna (kingfisher, Tuamotu palm). It is a model of sustainable management where nature is strictly protected.

Can you sail between Raiatea and Taha'a yourself?

Yes, Raiatea is the heart of Polynesia’s boating scene. Many yacht and catamaran charter companies are based here. The lagoons are calm, so you can hire a boat with or without a skipper to explore these two islands, which share the same reef.

What's the best way to visit the Marquesas in an original way?

The Aranui is a very popular option: it’s a “mixed” vessel that acts as a cargo ship for supplies to the islands while also taking on passengers. This gives you access to isolated valleys while experiencing the everyday life of the Marquesans.

Tahiti and her islands: a hidden paradise | Tahiti Tourisme's corporate website

Huahine, the unspoilt Garden of Eden

Nicknamed the Garden of Eden, Huahine captivates visitors with its wild nature and “Maeva” welcome. Between vanilla plantations and age-old fish traps, the island preserves an authentic rhythm of life. Its hills offer spectacular views over turquoise lagoons, while the Avamoa pass attracts surfers from all over the world for its legendary waves.

Raiatea and Taha'a, the soul of sacredness

Raiatea, the sacred island, is home to the Marae Taputapuatea, the nerve centre of Polynesian culture. It shares its lagoon with Taha’a, the Vanilla Island, whose fragrances fill the air. With the country’s only navigable river and popular sailing bases, these two sister islands offer a rare blend of ancestral traditions and the pleasures of the open sea.

The legend of the Apetahi Tiare

On Mount Temehani in Raiatea grows the Tiare Apetahi, a unique flower that no one has managed to grow anywhere else in the world. According to legend, its five petals represent the hand of a young woman with a broken heart. At dawn, those lucky enough to climb the mountain can hear the gentle crack of the flower as it opens, a poetic echo of this eternal myth.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the islands of Huahine, Raiatea or the Tuamotus?
What's so special about the island of Taha'a?
Why is Fakarava a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Can you sail between Raiatea and Taha'a yourself?
What's the best way to visit the Marquesas in an original way?

Rangiroa, the endless lagoon

The second largest atoll in the world, Rangiroa looks like a string of pearls set in the ocean. Its Tiputa pass is a world sanctuary for diving, offering visibility of 45 metres. Here, divers swim through a “wall of sharks” and encounter dolphins. It’s a destination of pure disconnection, where the blue stretches as far as the eye can see.

The hidden treasures of the Tuamotus

The Tuamotu archipelago is home to Tahiti’s pearls. In Manihi, the pearl farms reveal the secrets of the black-lipped oysters. Tikehau beckons with its pink sand beaches and bird islands, while Fakarava, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, protects a fragile and rare ecosystem. Each atoll is an invitation to wonder and respect.

The Marquesas, the land of men

Just a three-hour flight from Tahiti, the Marquesas raise their dizzying cliffs without a single lagoon. These mysterious islands, home to Gauguin and Brel, hide jungles and giant waterfalls. Whether aboard a mixed cargo ship or in a guesthouse, discovering Nuku Hiva or Hiva Oa remains the ultimate adventure for any traveller in search of the absolute.