Uturoa
TownShops, market and the airport.
French Polynesia city guide
Raiatea Travel Guide
Raiatea is the sacred island, where Polynesian voyagers set out across the Pacific, and home to Taputapuātea, a UNESCO World Heritage marae. It's mountainous and unhurried, with Taha'a, the vanilla island, across the same lagoon.
UNESCO
Taputapuātea, listed in 2017
About 45 min
Flight from Papeete
1
Navigable river
Raiatea at a glance
Raiatea is the second-largest island in the Society Islands, about 220 km north-west of Tahiti, between Huahine and Bora Bora. It shares a lagoon with its smaller neighbour, Taha'a.
In Polynesian tradition, Raiatea, once called Havai'i, is the ancestral homeland from which voyaging canoes set out to settle Hawaii, New Zealand and Rapa Nui.
At its heart is Taputapuātea, a large complex of marae on the south-east coast, listed by UNESCO in 2017 as a centre of Polynesian culture and voyaging.
Uturoa, in the north, is the second-largest town in French Polynesia, with shops, a market and the airport.
Raiatea has few beaches, so most visitors come for the history, the mountains, the river and a day on Taha'a.
Two to four days is ideal.
Where to stay on Raiatea
Stay near Uturoa for shops and the airport, or in the south for Taputapuātea and quiet.
Taputapuātea
MaraeThe UNESCO site on the south-east coast.
Faaroa Bay
RiverMouth of the Faaroa river.
Taha'a
Vanilla islandAcross the lagoon, for day trips.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Taputapuātea, the river and Taha'a
Visit Taputapuātea, a complex of marae on the south-east coast, set by the lagoon and a pass in the reef. It's the most important cultural site in French Polynesia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kayak or take a boat up the Faaroa river, said to be the only navigable river in French Polynesia, through lush valley scenery.
Hike Mount Temehani with a guide. The plateau is home to the tiare apetahi, a rare white flower found nowhere else.
Take a day trip to Taha'a, across the lagoon, to visit vanilla plantations, a pearl farm and a rum distillery, and snorkel the coral garden between two motu.
Explore Uturoa's market and waterfront.
Raiatea is also French Polynesia's yachting centre, with sailing charters leaving from its marinas.
Free things
Raiatea for free (or nearly)
Taputapuātea is free to visit.
Uturoa's market and waterfront are free.
Driving or cycling the coast road is free apart from hire.
Food and drink
Roulottes, the market and vanilla
Uturoa has roulottes, a market, small restaurants and supermarkets. Plates at the roulottes cost XPF1,200 to XPF2,000.
Many pensions serve meals.
Taha'a vanilla turns up in sauces and desserts, and poisson cru is everywhere.
Nightlife
Quiet evenings
Raiatea is quiet at night. Uturoa has a few bars and the roulottes, and that's about it.
Getting around
Getting to and around Raiatea
Air Tahiti flies to Raiatea from Papeete, about 45 minutes, and from Huahine and Bora Bora. The airport is near Uturoa. Multi-island air passes are the cheapest way to combine islands.
Boats link Raiatea and Taha'a across the lagoon, and tours to Taha'a include transport.
There's little public transport on the island. Hire a car or scooter, or rely on pension transfers.
Costs
What Raiatea costs
Raiatea is cheaper than Bora Bora. Hostelworld has no listings right now, so budget travellers stay in pensions de famille.
Roulottes and the market keep food costs down.
A Taha'a tour and car hire are the main extra costs.
Allow around XPF10,000 to XPF15,000 a day.
Safety
Staying safe on Raiatea
Raiatea is safe, with low crime.
Respect Taputapuātea: it's a sacred site. Don't climb on the stones.
The Mount Temehani hike is muddy and needs a guide.
Watch for currents in the reef passes, and wear reef shoes for coral and stonefish.
In an emergency, call 15 for medical help and 17 for the police.
Day trips from Raiatea
From Raiatea, the best day trip is across the lagoon to Taha'a.
Taha'a
Vanilla, a pearl farm, rum and the coral garden.
Taputapuātea
The UNESCO marae.
Faaroa river
Up the river through the valley.
Mount Temehani
Plateau and the tiare apetahi.
What's on
What's on on Raiatea
The Hawaiki Nui Va'a canoe race passes through Raiatea.
October or November
Hawaiki Nui Va'a
Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a and Bora Bora
Three-day outrigger canoe race.
July
Heiva
Uturoa
Dance and singing.
November
Matari'i i ni'a
Nationwide
The season of abundance.
When to go to Raiatea
Raiatea is warm all year, with highs from 28°C to 31°C. May to October is the dry season and the best time. November to April is wetter, with cyclone risk.
Jan
Hot and wet; cyclone risk
Feb
Wet
Mar
Wet and quiet
Apr
Improving
May
Dry season begins
Jun
Dry and clear
Jul
Peak season
Aug
Dry
Sep
Dry
Oct
Still dry
Nov
Canoe race; wet season
Dec
Hot and wet
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average daily highs from weather2travel's Raiatea climate data. Crowd levels are our rough guide.
How much does Raiatea cost per day?
Pick a style and a number of nights for a rough total. Per day, for one person, in CFP francs.
Estimates, based on pension prices. Flights and tours sit outside these figures.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Raiatea FAQs
Prices and timetables change. Check before you travel.
What is Taputapuātea?
A complex of marae on Raiatea, the most important cultural site in French Polynesia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How do I get to Raiatea?
By Air Tahiti from Papeete, about 45 minutes, or from Huahine and Bora Bora.
Can I visit Taha'a from Raiatea?
Yes. Day tours cross the lagoon to Taha'a's vanilla farms, pearl farms and coral garden.
Are there hostels on Raiatea?
Not on Hostelworld right now. Pensions de famille are the budget option.
How long should I spend on Raiatea?
Two to four days.
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