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The
Island of Raiatea |
Visit the market at Uturoa for shopping. The popular cruise port is a big draw where locals sell products of the land and sea and unique crafts and handiwork.
Raiatea is a great place to take a tour, charter a boat or take your own pleasure vessel out to explore the coastline.
A bonus to visiting the island of Raiatea is that the island of Taha'a is very nearby and definitely worth seeing as well.Faaroa River Trip
How about sailing up the Faaroa River through lush tropical rainforest. The Faaroa is the only navigable river in Polynesia. From these waters great migrations formed up to head out towards Hawaii and New Zealand.
Raiatea means "far away heaven & sky with soft light" and that is where you will think you are when you come ashore here. It was first named Havai'i (that's right there is another famous place with the same name - also called Havaiki) after the ancient homeland of the migrating Polynesians. 10 centuries ago it was the religious and cultural heart and soul of the Tahitian Island group and the descendants of those great explorers can tell of myths and legends of long ago. Mount Temehani (at 2598 feet above sea level) dominates the island.
Explore Raiatea and Neighboring Taha'a
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"... to get
a really wonderful panoramic view you can go up to the Belvedere
on Mt. Tapioi which overlooks Uturoa." |
Upon mighty mount Temahani is one of the rarest flowers on mother Earth. An ancient tale tells of a girl who dies of a broken heart upon hearing she cannot marry the king. Her sound can be heard from the delicate 5-petaled flower that opens each dawn with a faint crackling sound. |
| Their are many fertile valleys, cascading waterfalls, quiet lagoons and hidden islets to explore on this soft mountainous paradise. The main road circles the entire island where you can see the telltale signs that lead to the nickname "Vanilla Island". Many Motu (islands) with bright white sandy beaches and turquoise waters await! |
It is so easy to explore Raiatea and its neighboring island Taha'a by bus tour, boat or on foot! |
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Marae Exploration A very well preserved and important historical sight is found on a sandy point along the southwest coast. Called Taputapuatea it is a huge archeological area of immense importance in understanding the ancient Polynesians. |
Tahiti
| Moorea | Bora
Bora | Huahine | Raiatea/Taha'a
| Cruising
Tuamotu Atolls - Rangiroa
| Manihi | Tikehau
| Fakarava
Marquesas - Nuku
Hiva | Hiva Oa
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Castle
Hill Travel Some pictures generously provided by "Tahiti Tourism Bureau" |