Hiking Mt. Temahani on the island of Raiatea. Stopping for a breather and to take in the view!
We’ve decided to do a blog series featuring each island that we visit on the majority of our adventures through the waters of French Polynesia. We chose to begin the blog series with the island of Raiatea, since this island is our “adventure base”, and where the majority of our itineraries begin. We absolutely love Raiatea for its untouched beauty, and the rich history that gives this island a tangible feel of mystery and magic.
Raiatea is located to the northwest of Tahiti by 130 miles, and is just 31 miles away from famous Bora Bora. As home to the major charter companies in French Polynesia, and its close proximity to the other islands of Tahaa, Huahine, and Bora Bora, Raiatea is the perfect place to embark and begin cruising and exploring the surrounding islands.
Raiatea has been nicknamed the “Sacred Isle” for its important role in Polynesian history. According to oral tradition, Raiatea was the first occupied island in the central Pacific as people began migrating here from Southeast Asia. This is believed to have occurred around 1000AD. From Raiatea, the rest of Polynesia became populated. From Raiatea, people migrated north to Hawaii, southeast to New Zealand and then southwest to Easter Island, forming what we now call the “Polyesian triangle”. On the island of Raiatea, there is a very important ancient archeological site named Marae Taputapuatea. This is a sacred place of worship and the center of all historic Polynesian culture. We really enjoy sharing a tour here with our guests, as it sets a foundation for understanding the Polynesian culture.
The beauty of Raiatea continues to amaze us. From Raiatea’s lagoon, you get dramatic glimpses into deep bays, dramatic peaks, summits, waterfalls, and lush landscapes. By boat, we are able to cruise through the lagoon, finding secluded motus (islets) with beautiful beaches for picnics, swimming and exploring. Taking our guests down the Faaroa River is one of our favorite things to do., and is always a fan favorite. There are also several great hikes to experience on Raiatea. At the top of each peak, you get a bird’s eye view of the spectacularly colored waters below, the surrounding reefs, and the islands of Tahaa, Huahine and Bora Bora off in the distance.