Huahine: Polynesia’s Hidden Gem

Located at only 35 min. by plane from Tahiti, Huahine is not only the nearest Leeward island from Tahiti but also stands among the most preserved islands of the Society archipelago. It receives fewer tourists than Moorea or Bora Bora.

Huahine is divided into two parts – Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti – separated by a narrow channel. The main village is called Fare and welcomes the ferries coming from Tahiti. A few shops, snacks and restaurants are available around the ferry docks.

Lots of secluded white sand beaches all around …. surrounded by wild green vegetation. Even the public beach of Fare is really worth visiting.

Peaceful, charming… we loved it very much!

Huahine casts a spell over you from the moment you arrive. The enchanted Huahine, with its lush forests, untamed landscape and quaint villages, is one of Tahiti’s best-kept secrets, a place where you can live like a local. A deep, crystal-clear lagoon surrounds the two islands that comprise Huahine, while magnificent bays and white-sand beaches add drama to the experience. Relatively unchanged by the modern world, Huahine offers the slower, more tranquil pace of old Polynesia. With only eight small villages scattered across the island, the few residents welcome visitors with great kindness. Not surprisingly, this fertile world offers a rich soil providing the local farmers a bountiful harvest of vanilla, melons and bananas.

Also commonly referred to as the “secret island,” the “authentic island” and the “secluded island,” many charming adjectives come to mind when mentioning Huahine, and for obvious reasons. The island is a delicious cocktail of Polynesian sceneries and ambiance. Find natural beauty, experience intense encounters with the population, explore the infinite possibilities for adventure and relaxation, alike. Huahine is an island “to live,” an island “to feel.” The famous local singer and painter Bobby Holcomb has chosen this small piece of land where joy and smiles are always around.

Huahine is an island located among the Society Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Leeward Islands group.

The two islands are separated by a few hundred yards of water and joined by a sandspit at low tide. A small bridge was built to connect Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti. Its highest point is Turi, at 669 m elevation.

 One of the famous attractions on Huahine is a bridge that crosses over a stream with freshwater eels. These eels are deemed sacred by the locals, by local mythology. 

Bora Bora is a small South Pacific island northwest of Tahiti in French Polynesia. Surrounded by sand-fringed motus (islets) and a turquoise lagoon protected by a coral reef, it’s known for its scuba diving. It's also a popular luxury resort destination where some guest bungalows are perched over the water on stilts. At the island's center rises Mt. Otemanu, a 727m dormant volcano. 

Jewel of the South Seas

Undoubtedly the most celebrated island in the South Pacific, Bora Bora is French Polynesia's leading lady. Her beauty is unrivaled and her fame, unwavering. Bora Bora is one of the few places on earth that everyone hopes to witness in their lifetime—and once you see it, you are forever enamored.

The Allure...

More than just a romantic ideal, Bora Bora is a romantic reality. It comes as no surprise that the island is an internationally acclaimed honeymoon destination. Our newlyweds who decide on a Bora Bora honeymoon often feel as though they have escaped to a private oasis tailored entirely to their special moment of marital bliss—and anyone in the midst of planning a wedding can relate to just how enticing that sounds. 

You could shop here for fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, as well as flower leis and head leis, homemade hats, purses, and upstairs they have jewelry shops and gift and lots of hand-made items.

Check out these land crabs. They eat anything and everything dragging it into their holes.

Images for bora bora french polynesia crabs!

Have to laugh at the two crabs fighting for the one flower....too funny.  We took along those pink flowers and passed them out so everyone could throw them a flower to take down into their private holes!  That was certainly a "first".

Taha’a is an island located among the western group, the Leeward Islands, of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean.

Activities and Attractions

For the visitor to Taha'a, the cadence of life creates activities with a more relaxing pace as you explore the tiny villages and simple island living along the shores by car or bicycle, or discover some of the family-owned pearl and Tahitian vanilla farms.

The charming island of Tahaa is scattered with small villages nestled along hillside bays. Known as the "vanilla island" because of its large-scale production of the fragrant bean, Tahaa is the ultimate in romantic escapism, as it tickles your fancy with gorgeous views, beautiful beaches and serendipitous lagoons. 

Traveling for a  vow renewal is an opportunity for a couple to renew the vows that they made to each other when they first got married. It is a way to commemorate a love that has deepened or matured between a couple. A vow renewal ceremony is not meant to be a second wedding. The Captain conducts the ceremony. 

A wedding vow renewal  ceremony or wedding vow reffirmation ceremony is a ceremony in which a married couple renew or reaffirm their marriage vows.

Also places set up for island shopping!

Mo'orea is a South Pacific island, part of French Polynesia's Society Islands archipelago. It's known for its jagged volcanic mountains and sandy beaches. In the north, Mount Rotui overlooks picturesque Ōpūnohu Bay and the settlements around Cook's Bay. Inland, hiking trails wind through rainforest on the slopes of Mount Tohivea. The Belvedere Lookout has panoramic views of the island’s peaks and Tahiti beyond.

Moorea rises magically out of the ocean like a cathedral. High, sharp, inspiring green spires, crowned by clouds. Poetic threads of waterfalls tumble down fern-softened cliffs. Peaceful meadows flanked by pinnacles of emerald green will renew your belief in the majesty of nature, and Moorea’s bright blue lagoon will bring to life the South Seas idyll of your dreams. Pastel-painted houses, surrounded by gardens of hibiscus and birds of paradise, circle the island in a necklace of happy, simple villages that will elevate your senses and remind you that this is what life is all about. La vie heureuse, as they say in Tahiti, a happy life. One of the most memorable locations in The Islands of Tahiti, Moorea’s beauty is unforgettable.

They pick you up and then you're off to see landmarks around the island. Stop at the pineapple fields, and tasting room for pineapple liquor and drinks. The ride itself up the hills are priceless! 

Went on the half day 4x4 island interior tour with other guests. The tour was great, and  it was great to see another side of the island. There are great views and a swim at a local spot in the mountains. Keep in mind there is quite a bit of driving (riding in back of a fairly comfortable Land Rover truck), but that is inevitable for the distance you need to go. Our guide, was awesome and very friendly. He went out of his way to make sure everyone had a good time and was fun the whole way. 

First stop on Moorea was the Manutea Distillery. The distillery and juice factory makes everything from pineapple that is grown in abundance on Moorea. After a generous free tasting of pineapple juice, free tasting, and the Tahitian punch, you go on a short tour of the actual factory to see how the pineapples are chopped and ground into all this alcoholic variety.  Lots of shopping!