What to do in Raiatea & Taha'a

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Raiatea & Taha'a: The Must-Do Activities

Raiatea & Taha'a: What to do when you get there?

Find out what to do in Ra'iātea and Taha'a! It's a safe bet that, from the window of your plane flying over Polynesia, you couldn't help but notice two singular islands, sharing the same lagoon. These are the sister islands of Ra'iātea and Taha'a, located about 20 kilometers southeast of Bora Bora.

Less known than Tahiti and Moorea, they are also part of the Society archipelago, and more precisely of the Islands Sous-le-Vent, with Bora Bora. Polynesian myths speak of a time when the two islands of Ra'iātea and Taha'a were one and the same, and that they were separated by a giant. They would be the cradle of the Polynesian people and their culture, hence the nickname of sacred island carried by Ra'iātea. Mount Temehani, the sacred mountain, can be found there.

Because of its history and culture, it is highly recommended to visit Ra'iātea during a stay in Polynesia. Just because the island is not as famous as its neighbors does not mean that there are not things to do in Ra'iātea and Taha'a!

In terms of sightseeing, don't hesitate to visit one of the many pearl farms in Ra'iātea, or one of the vanilla plantations in Taha'a, also known as Vanilla Island. These are must-see places, as is the famous Taputapātea marae on the island of Ra'iātea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a sacred place for Polynesians and has a very important place in their culture, as does Mount Temehani where one of the rarest flowers in the world, the Tiare Apetahi flower, blooms. One of the things to do in Ra'iātea during a hike on Mount Temehani would be to go in search of this flower only found here!

As for sports activities, there is something for everyone. Although the islands of Ra'iātea and Taha'a are covered in jungle and less touristy than their neighbor Bora Bora, the sports activities offered there are still numerous and varied!

You can explore the islands of Ra'iātea and Taha'a in different ways:

. on land by 4x4, scooter, bike, horse, and for the more athletic on foot via trails, including the 3 Waterfalls hike, reputed to be one of the most beautiful to discover Ra'iātea ;
. at sea while sailing on the lagoon dotted with motu (islets) linking Ra'iātea and Taha'a by boat, pirogue, catamaran, windsurfing, as well as by jet ski, but also by canoe or paddle with the possibility of sailing up the Faaroa River, the only navigable river in French Polynesia;
. in the air by boarding a helicopter or microlight to get superb panoramas of the islands of Ra'iātea and Taha'a from the sky.

And if you're wondering what to do in Ra'iātea and Taha'a once you've seen the islands from every possible angle, you can head out to explore the crystal clear waters of their beautiful lagoon. There is no shortage of snorkeling and diving activities on the Polynesian islands! Surfing and windsurfing can also be a way to roam the lagoon while getting your thrills.

The islands of Ra'iātea and Taha'a may not be as well known as the other major Polynesian islands, but they're sure to entice you with their rugged beauty, lush jungles and clear lagoon waters, as well as their wide range of things to do. Don't hesitate to visit Ra'iātea and Taha'a during your next stay in French Polynesia!

Raiatea & Taha'a: All our activities

Boat Tours

Boat Tours

6 activities

Customer feedbacks on Raiatea & Taha'a

Average rating

4.9/5

(247)
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    223
  • Very good
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  • Average
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Rachael K., New Zealand — 28/10/2024
5/5
Absolutely incredible. From the start to the end this tour was amazing and I would highly recommend it. The lunch was my favourite meal of my whole trip.
Patricia G., United States — 17/09/2024
5/5
We really enjoyed seeing manta rays, black tip sharks and of course snorkeling. The captain knew exactly where to go and was in the water with us to guide us the whole time.
Sharon K., United States — 27/08/2024
5/5
Really enjoyed the different stops we made on this tour. Our guide was terrific and had a wealth of information to share about this island.
Carol B., Australia — 26/08/2024
5/5
Great tour that covers pearl farm, rhum distillery, vanilla plantation, snorkelling and awesome lunch on private motu
Tessa C., Belgium — 09/07/2024
5/5
De gidsen spraken zowel Frans en Engels, ze zijn gewoon hilarisch en laten je lachen, de koraaltuin is waarschijnlijk de mooiste ooit gezien, het eten was lekker.....

Around Raiatea & Taha'a

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