Recommended Solutions This Lush Island Is The Birthplace Of Polynesian Culture — And Has One Of The World’S Rarest Flowers, Epic Snorkelling, And A Lagoon With Crystal Clear Waters

atomic number 33 the small powerboat made IT way across the equanimity lagoon from Taha’a and the palm-fringed coastline of Ra’iātea, the towering mount peaks in all their lushness and ruggedness overwhelmed my view. I start out to wonder if this is what ancient Polynesians saw over 1,000 years ago when they spotted the island after week ofnavigate the Pacific ocean in their two-hulled canoe.

As the first populatedisland in French Polynesia, Ra’iātea clutches a special significance inch Polynesian history. If its cognomen — the “sacred island” and “the birthplace of Polynesia” — ar not sufficiency to win over you, its original name was Havai’i Nui, after the mythic Hawaiki. (In Polynesian mythology, Hawaiki be the original motherland of all Polynesian people and in Māori culture, IT be also the place where the soul of the deceased returns.)

Ra’iātea, which in Tahitian means “sky with soft light,” Washington the cradle of Polynesian cultural and political life. information technology be where voyagers set about settling military expedition to New Zealand, Hawai’i, and other Polynesian islands.

Because of that, nowadays, Ra’iātea is a dream for history and anthropology partisan as ancientmarae(temples) and petroglyph Fields point the island.

Ra’iātea, together with neighborTaha’a, ar component of the Society island archipelago, located northwest of Tahiti, and are often thought of As “sister islands” because they are constituent of the same volcanic composite and share a picture-perfect aquamarine-hued laguna as well as a fringe barrier reef that enwrap them together.

And piece Taha’a pull tourist with its inkiness pearl farms and vanilla plantations, Ra’iātea beckon hikers, adventurers, couples, water sports, and wellness enthusiasts with Associate in Nursing incredible smorgasbord of outside activities and sights. IT be where visitor can still experience AN reliable side of Polynesia — one that is not overproduction past meretricious boutiques, luxury resorts, or Instagram-famous landmarks.

Because of that, the island want the crowds — or the hefty price tags — of other spots like its More celebrated neighbor Bora Bora (the island is a short 20-minute plane ride from here and visible from Ra’iātea’s shore), and that includes adjustment options running play the gamut from small, family-owned lodges, sequestrate hotels, to, for those WHO privation to splurge, AN entire private island.

Read on for A complete guide on how to programme and brand the most out of your stay on Polynesia’s sacred island.

How to Get there

Ra’iātea be the second-largest island in the society Archipelago. It has a good infrastructure that link information technology to neighboring island As well atomic number 33 Tahiti and Mo’orea. Air Moana, French Polynesia’s domestic airline, has several weekly flights from Bora Bora and daily flight from Tahiti’s Faa’a Airport, while air Tahiti hour angle eve Thomas More direct flights from Tahiti to Ra’iātea. The flight from Tahiti takes astir xlv minutes and from Bora Bora it’s just 20 minutes.

You can also boardApetahi express, Tahiti’s inter-island ferry, which volition take you from Pape’ete, Tahiti’s capital, to Ra’iātea in Phoebe hours. This route is available leash times a week — Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday — while the return trip from Ra’iātea to Tahiti be available Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.

And if you are on Bora Bora, Maupiti Express operates three weekly ferry services (Monday, Friday, and Sunday) to Taha’a and Ra’iātea.

How to Get Around

The easiest, fastest, and most convenient mode to get about Ra’iātea be by car. You can rent a vehicle atomic number 85 the airport or Uturoa, Ra’iātea’s big town. piece the island’s main road that circumnavigates IT be in splendid condition, if you plan to venture out in the valleys, we advocate you opt for angstrom four-wheel vehicle More suitable for dirt roads.

best things to Do

Ra’iātea offering an abundance of out-of-door activities — both on land and in the ocean — some of which you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

mount Temehani

If you are Associate in Nursing experienced hiker with A preference for scenic panoramas and mysterious blooms, then book A guided hike to mount Temehani. At over 2,532 feet, this mountain offering impressive vistas of Bora Bora and Taha’a.

But IT has gained ill fame for a funny reason: it is the only place on Earth where the fragrant flowertiare apetahigrows. The delicate bloom HA a distinguishable look, with solitary V petal arranged on I side. Many wealthy person tried to cultivate information technology elsewhere but have failed, and scientists have yet to discover what makes the conditions on mount Temehani soh favorable fortiare apetahi.(It ordinarily turn above 1,640 feet.) The hike yield about 5.5 hours ace manner and pass through rocky terrain and thick forests.

Niu hutch

After A day of hiking, the best mode to unwind and relax your muscle be to treat your mind and body with angstrom unit wellness afternoon (or, even better, make it angstrom full day) atNiu Shack.This one-of-a-kind “guest house” is have and managed by Ra’iātea-natives Vicky and her girl Eva, who have construct their off-the-grid holding inch a boozer valley angstrom unit little over half a mile from the main road.

And while information technology remote control location might prove angstrom unit little challenge to get to, information technology is also what makes Niu Shack such A perfect tense spot for a health sanctuary. (Note that Eva volition fain pick you up from a designate makeshift parking zone.)

Stepping onto the property feel like entering the garden of Eden, with fragrant tropic flowers, medicinal plants, fruits, and vegetables growth everywhere you look. The soundtrack of Niu Shack consists of the appease swoosh of foliage and the burble of the nearby river, which descriptor A pool-like swimming hole just underneath the property. This be where Eva volition payoff you for angstrom cool dip and an all-natural body scrub session made with freshly grated coconut, sea salt, and monoi oil.

Then, Vicky volition cook up the freshest and most delicious vegan repast with many ingredient source straight from her garden. savour angstrom sound bath Beaver State a yoga family earlier A relaxing massage in Associate in Nursing open thatched-roof structure sitting just above the river.

Taputapuātea Marae

You’ll find the large and most important religious site in Polynesia atomic number 85 the edge of angstrom beautiful lagoon in the southeastward of Ra’iātea. The Taputapuātea complex, which HA been angstrom unitUNESCO World Heritage land sitesince 2017, consists of multiple open-air temples, including unity of the Same name, that served as a assemblage point for head and priest for important cultural rituals, political discussions, or to launch navigate expeditions. The Taputapuāteamaraebe atomic number 85 the eye of the Polynesian trigon that comprises Hawaii to the North, Easter island (or Rapa Nui) to the East, and New Zealand (Aotearoa in the Māori language), and was dedicated to the God of warfare Oro.

We urge you book A site tour with angstrom unit local guide who tin can William Tell you More astir its history and significance and advise you on proper etiquette and rules when visiting this or othermarae.

Uturoa’s Market

As the administrative center and home of Ra’iātea’s airport and port, Uturoa be the gateway to the island. Here, you’ll find several grocery stores, coffee shops, a bakery, and angstrom unit waterfront plaza with businesses. There’s also angstrom bustling market where locals sell the freshest catch of the day, local tropical fruits and flowers, wearable (make sure you leave with a hand-dye pareo), and accessories.

Snorkelling and Island skip

The laguna betweenRa’iātea and Taha’a is dotted with small island (ormotuin Tahitian) — and many of them are publicly accessible, as H2O taxis ar widely available. This be where you’ll find white-sand beaches and shallow Waters hustle with colorful marine life.

Motu Ofetaro is one of the most popular and easy to admission — astir pentad minutes by boat or twenty-five transactions past kayak. The picture-perfect isle has bathroom facilities and picnic tabular array and is frequented by local and visitors alike.

some other spot be Motu Iriru, across from Taputapuātea. Swaying palms, equanimity and relatively shallow turquoise waters, and kid-friendly facility have made it angstrom favourite of families with small children. And if you’re stay in the western part of the island, consider kayak to Motu Dafla Miri. You’ll sole have to paddle for astir XV proceedings to get to this heavenly swathe of lush land, and you’ll be reward with beautiful panorama of Bora Bora inch the distance.

Faaroa River

on the island’s east side, the Faaroa River be the only navigable river inch French Polynesia that snake through with a lush woods and tin be tour in A kayak or angstrom unit standup paddleboard. A local usher will assist you safely voyage the some five-mile-long river and acquire Thomas More about the flora and fauna you see on the way.

Best hotel and Resorts

Unlike neighbour Bora Bora, cognize for its luxury over-water cottagepopular with honeymooners, Ra’iātea’s accommodation options are much more laid-back, ofttimes for angstrom fraction of the price. You can as well find many home for rent on Airbnb, with rates starting from under $100 per night.

Raiatea Lodge Hotel

If convenience be a top priority, consider the lately renovatedRaiatea Lodge hotel, just a short drive from the island’s aerodrome and main town. However, don’t think of this serene property arsenic AN “airport hotel.” nuzzle on 2.5 lush tropical acres, teem with flower and coconut palms, the property comprises angstrom main edifice paint in angstrom soft pastel aquamarine hue, which house the hotel’s guest suite and A two-bedroom family suite, angstrom unit restaurant, and a bar. 7 stand-alone bungalows with private patio and spectacular views of Bora Bora are nearby and too available to book.

Opoa Hotel

tuck away on the southeast terminal of the island,Opoa Beach Hotelbe a secluded waterfront property backed by lush mountain vistas. There are only decade wide bungalows, each with bright, white-washed living rooms and patios equipped with chaise lounges and hammocks. This is an excellent choice for couples Oregon traveller seeking complete privacy. patch there be angstrom small swimming pool on-site, you’ll find yourself soaking up vitamin vitamin D on the private beach in front of the hotel before jumping in the water from the boat deck.

The hotel’s restaurant and beach barroom epitomize laid-back elegance and offer a fusion of French and Polynesian flavors prepared with the fresh island ingredients.

Motu Nao Nao

Ra’iātea may be a backpacker’s paradise, but that doesn’t mean the island deficiency luxury accommodations.Motu Nao Naoallows invitee to enjoy unity of Ra’iātea’s many isle in complete privacy. The belongings quietly open up in 2021 and feature three wide thatched-roof Francisco Villa overlooking the ocean. traveler are pampered with newly set up repast by chef extraordinaire Wilfrid Kobylt, World Health Organization excels in showcasing local ingredients in A sophisticate way, and a listing of activities that span snorkeling (there’s a reef just bump off of the island), sailing on angstrom unit traditional two-hulled canoe, or kite surfing. However, the most memorable activity be AN evening of traditional Tahitian dance and songs dopast a local troupethat yield place at the horse opera tip of the island atomic number 85 sundown.

Best eatery

Fish&Blue

arguably the okay eatery on the island,this beachfront spothour angle indoor and outdoor seating. The latter is particularly charming, as tables are sitting straight on angstrom white-sand beach, and depending on the tide, your human foot mightiness even be in the water. The restaurant treat patrons to breathless sunset views and angstrom unit carte du jour where the highlight, arsenic IT name suggests, be the fresh seafood.

Villa Ixora

Villa Ixorabe A family-owned dress shop hotel with an excellent restaurant, welcome guests for lunch and dinner. The simple, open-air dining room overlooks the property’s garden and is the perfect setting for French chef Terence Trouyet’s elegantly demonstrate dishes that blend Mediterranean Sea and local flavors.