Things to do in Huahine: my complete island guide

It has been more than six months since I returned from Huahine and decided to write this article. Huahine is part of the Leeward Islands, around 175 kilometers northwest of Tahiti, the main island of French Polynesia. It remains far less visited than Bora Bora, the Pearl of the Pacific, and Moorea. Huahine is made up of two main islands—or two little paradises: Huahine Iti, the smaller island, and Huahine Nui, the larger one. A bridge connects the two.

I have wonderful memories of the week I spent in Huahine, with its wonderful mix of simplicity and authenticity: turquoise lagoons, white-sand beaches, and a strong Polynesian culture—what I like to call “the real Polynesia.” In this article, I am sharing a few ideas for things to do in Huahine during a vacation or honeymoon. I think this Polynesian island deserves anywhere from four days to a full week, especially if you enjoy slowing down and taking the time to really discover a place. If you are planning a trip to French Polynesia, Huahine is definitely worth considering.

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I think this is the first—and most important—thing to do in Huahine. Admittedly, it was easy for me because I have friends who live there and own a boat. Discovering the island from the lagoon in the late afternoon completely changes the scenery and atmosphere, especially when the sun begins to set. If you only have a few days in Huahine, a boat trip is one of the best ways to appreciate the island.

There are several ways to do it:

• If you are staying at a family-run guesthouse, ask whether your hosts can arrange a boat rental or put you in touch with someone locally. I cannot give you an exact price, but this can sometimes be less expensive than joining an organized excursion,
• If renting a boat is not possible, several operators offer full-day lagoon excursions. Current shared tours generally cost around 12,000 XPF per person, although prices and programs vary.

During the day, you really begin to appreciate the beauty of the island and its turquoise lagoon. Some places are absolutely lovely. Just let yourself be carried along… One enjoyable stop is the coral garden near Motu Vaiorea, surrounded by crystal-clear water and white-sand beaches.

And yes, Polynesia is not just about white sand and coconut palms. Huahine has numerous archaeological sites known as marae, scattered around the island and well worth visiting during your tour. Among the most important and easiest to access are the marae around Maeva and Lake Fauna Nui, the Fare Pote’e museum, which helps explain the archaeological area, and the beautiful Marae Anini in Parea, at the southern tip of Huahine beside a lovely white-sand beach. If you would like to learn more about these sites, the Tahiti Heritage website is a valuable resource on Polynesian history and the remains that can still be visited.

Driving around Huahine is a very pleasant experience. Take your time so that you can visit the archaeological sites mentioned above and stop at the beautiful viewpoints—or belvederes—along the way. When the weather is clear, they offer wonderful views over the lagoon and the coral reef in the distance.

During your drive, stop to admire the traditional fish traps in the channel connecting Lake Fauna Nui to the ocean. You will see them as you leave Maeva, just after the bridge, on the left. These stone and coral traps were built centuries ago and are still used today. Fish move through the maze with the tide and are guided toward the narrow end of the V-shaped structure beside the small fare. I went back several times to take photos because I found this place so beautiful.

Do not hesitate to follow some of the little roads all the way to the end. Huahine has plenty of dead ends like these, and you may be surprised by what you find there.

You can also take a guided tour of the island, which is a great way to learn more about its history, legends, and culture. I particularly recommend the HineOraVai Island Tour with Henri, a qualified local guide whose tours are very highly regarded. Other operators also offer guided island tours.

You can include this stop during your road trip around the island, although it is even better if you have enough time to visit on a separate day. Huahine Pearl Farm is located out in the lagoon shortly before the small village of Faie. A little outrigger canoe takes visitors across to the overwater building, where you can learn how a nucleus is inserted into a pearl oyster and how a pearl develops. There is also a pottery workshop on site and, of course, you can buy loose pearls or finished jewelry.

Huahine is particularly famous for its sacred blue-eyed eels. They live in a small stream in the village of Faie, and a sign beside the road makes the spot fairly easy to find. Locals sometimes feed them, and it is impressive to see so many large eels in such a shallow stretch of water.

When I visited, several young children had their feet in the stream. I was not entirely convinced that I wanted to do the same…

Huahine has some beautiful beaches, among the loveliest on the high islands. Whether you are exploring by road or taking a boat trip, make time to stop at some of the beaches lined with coconut palms and simply relax for a while.

During my boat trip, my friends took me to the former Hotel Hana Iti site. The beach is lovely, with the remains of old bungalows hidden among the vegetation on the hillside. You can climb through the lush greenery to reach a beautiful viewpoint over the lagoon.

In my opinion, however, the most beautiful beach on the island is the beach beside the former Sofitel site. If you are lucky enough to have it almost to yourself, as I did, the setting feels magical: picture-postcard scenery without the crowds. To get there, turn left after leaving Maeva and crossing the bridge, then continue to the end of the road. You can always ask a local for directions if needed.

I especially wanted to mention food in this article because anyone who knows the French knows how much we enjoy eating, right? If you are in the south of the island, stop at Chez Tara, a small restaurant beside the lagoon in Parea. You can try poisson cru with coconut milk, one of the classic Polynesian dishes. The setting is lovely and, in my experience, the food is very good. Chez Tara is particularly known today for its traditional Polynesian buffet on Sundays, so check the current opening days before going.

Unfortunately, I cannot share my own experience of scuba diving in Huahine, but the island has several established dive centers. My friends have dived with Pacific Blue Adventure and highly recommend the center. It is still operating in Fare and offers both introductory and exploration dives. If you are a diver, this is a great opportunity to discover Huahine’s marine life and coral reefs. Depending on the site and conditions, you may see turtles, sharks, blacktip reef sharks, schools of fish, and perhaps even manta rays. Polynesian waters are home to rich and varied marine life. Mahana Dive is another active dive center on the island.

This was recommended to us before our trip, and it is something I have come to enjoy more and more: spending a few hours over a leisurely breakfast at one of the island’s beautiful hotels. When we visited Hotel Le Mahana, the setting was wonderful and the breakfast was reasonably priced. Afterward, we enjoyed the white-sand beach in front of the hotel, went snorkeling, and admired the coral garden. To the right of the pontoon, we found a large group of anemones and clownfish. At the time, hotel guests could also use kayaks and paddleboards. In short, it was a very enjoyable way to spend a morning. Check with the hotel in advance, however, as breakfast access and the use of equipment for outside visitors may have changed.

When I visited Huahine, we stayed at Camping Plage Guesthouse in Haapu, near the southern end of the island. Kayaks were available for paddling out to the motus opposite the guesthouse. My two-year-old son and I made the crossing without any trouble, and we had a wonderful time both on the water and on the small beaches. It was also a great opportunity to look more closely at the seabed and admire the turquoise water.

Even if you are not staying there, it may still be possible to rent a kayak locally or borrow one from another guesthouse. Ask your accommodation about the options available during your stay.

I must admit that I did not go hiking during my stay, but it is definitely worth considering if you would like to discover Huahine’s valleys, vegetation, and mountain views. Terii, a professional hiking guide associated with Camping Hiva Plage, offers guided walks into the island’s interior. A guide is a sensible choice, as several trails are poorly marked and access conditions can change.

Here are a few walks to consider:

• Mount Tapu (around 429 meters): a steep hike on Huahine Nui with beautiful views from the upper slopes. Route descriptions and distances vary, so ask locally before setting out,
• Hana Iti Beach walk: a short walk toward the beach beside the former hotel on Huahine Iti, although access may also be easier by boat or kayak,
• Mount Pohue Rahi (around 462 meters): a hike on Huahine Iti through largely shaded vegetation, with lovely views from the summit. It is often described as more challenging than the word “easy” might suggest.

I will end this list of things to do in Huahine by reminding you to bring home a few gifts for yourself or your friends. There are three local products I would look for first.

• Vanilla: you will find it in several places around the island, so ask your hosts where they recommend buying good local beans. You can also visit a vanilla plantation such as Vairupe Vanille or the plantation in Haapu.
• Believe it or not, Huahine also has its own distillery. Distillerie Huahine Passion in Fare is still open and produces a range of artisanal liqueurs and eaux-de-vie made with local fruits and plants.
• Finally, I had heard a great deal about Huahine’s handmade pareos. You will find them in shops and sometimes beside the road, with a wide choice of colors and patterns. A pareo makes a lovely gift—and it is just as easy to keep one for yourself.

I will continue this Huahine guide with some practical advice on getting there and choosing where to stay.

To reach Huahine, you will generally first fly into Tahiti, the main international gateway to French Polynesia. From the United States, many travelers compare routes via San Francisco or Los Angeles before continuing to Papeete. You can compare flights from San Francisco to Papeete, or first search for a domestic flight from a major US city to San Francisco. Canadian travelers can do the same by comparing flights from a major Canadian city to San Francisco before checking the onward route from San Francisco to Papeete. Prices vary too much to give a reliable fixed estimate, so flexibility is usually the best way to find a better fare. French Bee, United Airlines, Air Tahiti Nui, and Air France are among the airlines serving Tahiti, depending on your departure point and travel dates.

Once in Tahiti, you can fly to Huahine with either Air Tahiti or Air Moana. The direct flight takes around 40 minutes. Air Tahiti currently advertises round-trip fares from roughly 33,000 XPF per person, while Air Moana’s fares vary according to the dates and availability. Air Tahiti also offers multi-island passes, which can be useful if Huahine is part of a longer itinerary through the Society Islands.

You can also travel from Tahiti to Huahine aboard the Apetahi Express, the ferry serving the Leeward Islands. The crossing takes around three hours, and a round trip currently costs roughly 16,000 XPF, depending on the fare and travel dates.

I mention other options on my page about inter-island travel in French Polynesia. You can also reach Huahine from Raiatea as part of a catamaran cruise. With a little luck and during the right season, you may even see whales. Cruise ships such as the Paul Gauguin also include Huahine on some itineraries.

Huahine has accommodation for different budgets, including campsites, small family-run guesthouses, vacation rentals, and hotels.

Budget travelers can still camp at the southern end of Huahine Iti. I stayed at Camping Hiva Plage, right beside a beautiful beach. The setting is wonderful. You can pitch a tent or stay in a simple room. It is rustic—I am warning you—but there is a communal kitchen, and the simplicity is part of its charm.

A second recognized option in the same part of the island is Huahine Camping, also known as Ariiura Camping Ecologie. This is likely the campsite I had seen a few kilometers before Hiva Plage but could not identify when I first wrote the article. Check availability directly before relying on either campsite, as capacity is limited.

If you are looking for a little more comfort, consider Pension Tupuna, Moana Lodge, Tifaifai et Café, or Fare Maeva.

Another useful option, especially if you are already in Tahiti or know someone living there, is to compare packages combining inter-island flights and guesthouse stays. These packages can sometimes cost less than booking each element separately, although the offers and providers change regularly.

If you are looking for other well-regarded places to stay at more reasonable prices, here are three recommendations:

• Alaroots Huahine: a small bohemian-style hostel right beside the beach, with affordable rates and a social atmosphere that makes it easy to meet other travelers.
• Te Fitii Garden & Beach: a peaceful seaside property combining a tropical garden with direct access to the beach, ideal for slowing down in a friendly setting.
• Moanaiti Lodge: an intimate guesthouse in the hills above Fare, with comfortable bungalows and panoramic views over the lagoon.

You can read more about the guesthouses and hotels we recommend in Huahine in our dedicated guide.

You can compare the different types of accommodation directly on the interactive map below.

Huahine is not a huge island, but it is too large to explore entirely on foot. Although experienced cyclists can ride around it, most travelers will find a scooter or rental car more practical. Current operators include Europcar Huahine, Isabelle Location, and several smaller local companies.

Rental prices vary according to the vehicle, season, and length of the booking. As a rough guide, expect to pay around 7,000 to 13,000 XPF per day for a car, but compare current quotes before booking.

Hitchhiking can work fairly well on the islands, although you should not rely on it for a tightly planned itinerary.

Depending on where you stay, half board may be available. This is often a practical option if you do not want to cook. Some guesthouses provide kitchen facilities, which can help you save money. Small stores around the island sell basic groceries and snacks, and you will sometimes see inexpensive takeout dishes for sale beside the road. If you are staying in the south of the island and plan to cook, stock up in Fare before heading to your accommodation.

That brings me to the end of this guide to the best things to do in Huahine. Personally, I really like this island: it is peaceful, authentic, and very beautiful. It feels good to get away from the larger crowds you find on some of the other islands. I personally prefer Huahine to Raiatea, which felt a little too large and busy for me, although that is entirely a matter of taste. Take your time and spend a few days in Huahine—you are unlikely to regret it. My favorite island in the Leeward Islands, however, is still Maupiti.

I hope you have a wonderful trip exploring French Polynesia.

Sylvain

Written by Sylvain PONS

From 2015 to 2021, French Polynesia was our home, with Mélanie and our children. I'm happy to share my experience and advice to help you organize an unforgettable stay in French Polynesia, based on my in-depth knowledge of the territory.

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