Huahine

Formerly governed by queens, Huahine is known as the quintessential “island of women.” It carefully preserves vestiges essential to its history.

The Maeva marae and more than thirty others, such as those of Manunu, Fare Miro and Anini, have been restored. Various sites and vestiges of ancient times invite you on a sacred journey into the past.

Located 30 minutes by plane from Tahiti, Huahine is made up of two islands, Huahine Iti and Huahine Nui, separated by a narrow channel and connected by a bridge. This bridge also divides two large bays: Maroe to the east and Bourayne to the west.

Legend has it that Hiro, god of thieves, cut the island in two with his canoe, leaving traces like that of his paddle at the bottom of Maroe Bay, and that of his penis, a rock raised towards the sky facing the bridge linking Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti.

Huahine Nui, where the capital Fare is located, rises to 669 meters with Mount Turi. Huahine Iti reaches 460 meters with the Pohue Rahi volcano, offering exceptional panoramas of the island, its lagoon, its motu and the neighboring islands Raiatea and Taha’a. To the southeast, Faaie Bay is known for its sacred blue-eyed eels, an unmissable sight.

A captivating nature

Huahine charms with its lush vegetation, its isolated coves and its lagoon of a thousand colors. To the south, near Parea, is the most beautiful white sand beach on the island. The flowery paths lead to vanilla plantations, reinforcing the authentic character of this rebellious island of legendary purity.

The motu, small idyllic islets, invite you to relax in perfect harmony with nature. The lagoon can be discovered equipped with a mask and snorkel or by scuba diving, revealing exceptional marine fauna: sea eagles, barracudas, sharks, and more. Experienced divers can explore reef drop-offs and fish caves. Surfers will also find what they are looking for with the regular waves of the reef passes.

Culture and traditions

Fare, the main town of Huahine, is home to a lively market where local artisans offer their creations in a friendly and safe setting.

Huahine is also the starting point for the famous annual canoe race, the Hawaiki Nui Va’a. Organized in October, this 128-kilometer competition links Huahine to Bora Bora in three stages. This sporting and festive event brings together rowers from Polynesia, New Caledonia, Hawaii and mainland France, attracting a crowd of spectators.