Fare
Main villageHarbour, shops and roulottes.
French Polynesia city guide
Huahine Travel Guide
Huahine is the Society Islands as they were before the resorts: two green, mountainous islands joined by a bridge, quiet villages, and some of the most important archaeological sites in Polynesia. It's where travellers go for slow days, cycling and empty beaches.
2
Islands joined by a bridge
About 35 min
Flight from Papeete
Dozens
Of marae at Maeva
Huahine at a glance
Huahine is in the Leeward group of the Society Islands, about 175 km north-west of Tahiti, and the first stop on the way to Raiatea and Bora Bora.
It's actually two islands, Huahine Nui in the north and Huahine Iti in the south, inside the same lagoon and joined by a short bridge.
The island is green and rural, with a handful of villages and few big hotels. Fare, on the west coast, is the main village, with the harbour, shops and a waterfront.
Huahine has a long history. Around the village of Maeva, on the shores of Lake Fauna Nui, there are dozens of restored marae (ancient temple sites) and stone fish traps still in use.
It's a favourite with independent travellers for its slow pace and pensions. Three to five days is ideal.
Where to stay on Huahine
Stay in or near Fare for shops and the harbour, or on Huahine Iti for quiet beaches.
Maeva
MaraeAncient sites and fish traps by the lake.
Faie
Sacred eelsVillage with the blue-eyed eels.
Huahine Iti
BeachesThe quieter southern island.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Marae, eels and the lagoon
Visit the marae at Maeva, one of the largest concentrations of ancient Polynesian temple sites in the Society Islands, along the lake shore and up Matairea hill. The stone fish traps in the channel are still used.
See the sacred blue-eyed eels in the stream at Faie, where locals feed them.
Take a lagoon tour to snorkel, visit a pearl farm and picnic on a motu.
Cycle around the island. The roads are quiet and the scenery is green.
Swim at the beaches on Huahine Iti, where the sand and the lagoon are at their best.
Visit a vanilla plantation, as Huahine grows vanilla like its neighbours.
Free things
Huahine for free (or nearly)
The marae at Maeva are free to visit.
The beaches and the lagoon are free.
The eels at Faie are free to see.
Cycling costs only bike hire.
Food and drink
Roulottes, poisson cru and vanilla
Fare has roulottes, small restaurants and supermarkets. Plates at the roulottes cost XPF1,200 to XPF2,000.
Many pensions serve meals or have kitchens.
Poisson cru, fresh fish and local fruit are the staples.
Nightlife
Quiet evenings
Huahine has almost no nightlife. Evenings are sunset on Fare's waterfront, a roulotte dinner and an early night.
Getting around
Getting to and around Huahine
Air Tahiti flies to Huahine from Papeete, about 35 minutes, and from Raiatea and Bora Bora. Multi-island air passes are the cheapest way to combine islands.
The airport is a short drive north of Fare. Pensions often collect guests.
On the island, there's little public transport. Hire a bike, scooter or car.
Costs
What Huahine costs
Huahine is cheaper than Bora Bora, but still expensive. Hostelworld has no listings right now, so budget travellers stay in pensions de famille.
Roulottes and supermarkets keep food costs down.
Lagoon tours and flights are the main extra costs.
Allow around XPF10,000 to XPF15,000 a day.
Safety
Staying safe on Huahine
Huahine is safe, with low crime.
The hazards are in the water: currents in the reef passes, coral cuts and stonefish. Wear reef shoes.
Medical care is basic, with serious cases flown to Tahiti.
In an emergency, call 15 for medical help and 17 for the police.
Day trips on Huahine
Huahine's day trips are around the island and on the lagoon.
Maeva and the eels
Marae, fish traps and the sacred eels.
Lagoon tour
Snorkelling, a pearl farm and a motu picnic.
Round both islands
Villages, bays and beaches.
Raiatea
The sacred island. Covered in the Raiatea hub.
What's on
What's on on Huahine
The Hawaiki Nui Va'a canoe race starts from Huahine.
October or November
Hawaiki Nui Va'a
Starts on Huahine
Three-day outrigger canoe race to Raiatea, Taha'a and Bora Bora.
July
Heiva
Fare
Dance and singing.
May to October
Dry season
Huahine
The best weather.
When to go to Huahine
Huahine 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 Huahine climate data. Crowd levels are our rough guide.
How much does Huahine 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 lagoon tours sit outside these figures.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Huahine FAQs
Prices and timetables change. Check before you travel.
How do I get to Huahine?
By Air Tahiti from Papeete, about 35 minutes, or from Raiatea and Bora Bora.
What is there to do on Huahine?
The marae at Maeva, the sacred eels, lagoon tours, cycling and quiet beaches.
Are there hostels on Huahine?
Not on Hostelworld right now. Pensions de famille are the budget option.
How long should I spend on Huahine?
Three to five days.
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