Huahine, what to do on the island? My full guide!
Last update: 03/12/2024
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It’s been more than six months since I returned from Huahine and decided to write this article. Huahine is in the Leeward Islands of Tahiti, about 170 kilometers northwest of the island of Tahiti (the main island). Huahine remains preserved from the masses of tourists who visit Bora Bora (the Pearl of Pacific) and Moorea, actually only a few people go there. There are two main islands (or two main paradises): Huahine Iti, which means the smaller island, and Huahine Nui, the bigger one. There is a bridge that connects the two paradisiac islands.
I have fond memories of the week I spent in Huahine, a mixture of simplicity and authenticity – worthy of discovery: turquoise lagoons, white sandy beaches, all immersed in Polynesian culture, what I call “the real Polynesia”. In this article I will give you some ideas of what to do while in Huahine on your holiday or your honeymoon. I think this polynesian island is worthy of spending 4 days to a week if you enjoy taking the time to discover and appreciate it. If you’re going to French Polynesia, this tropical island is worth considering.
If you are looking for a great website to find sports activities in French Polynesia, I particularly recommend Manawa website.
You want to learn more about this tropical island, lost in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. Here what you should know :
- Huahine is situated in the Society Islands archipelago (with Tahiti, Moorea (Leeward Islands) and Bora Bora, Maupiti, Raiatea, Tahaa in the Leewards Islands). For information, there are 4 others archipelagos: Marquesas (mainly known by Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa Islands), Gambier (Mangareva Island), Tuamotu islands (lot of atolls, lagoons and uninhabited islands, also known for nuclear testing, and finally the Australes archipelago),
- The island has a coral reef almost all around with nice white sand beach,
- On all itineraries, it’s an island frequently visited,
- Personally, l found this beautiful island very charming, relaxing and perfect for a few days off.
Huahine map
1 – Tour the island by boat
I think this is the first and most important thing that you should do in Huahine. Granted, it was easy for me as I have friends who live there and own a boat. Discovering the beauty of the island in the late afternoon by sea really changes the breathtaking view and the atmosphere (perfect to admire the magnificent sunsets). To fully experience Huahine in just a few days, this is the best thing to do.
There are several ways to do that:
- If you’re staying at a family pension you can ask them to organize a boat rental for you. It seems to be fairly easy and you just have to follow their recommendations. I don’t know how much it would cost, but it is generally cheaper than organized excursions,
- If renting a boat isn’t possible, most of the pensions offer daily excursions which will cost around 10 000 / 11 000 Xpf/day/person.
During the day you realize the beauty of the island and the turquoise lagoon. Some places are really splendid. Let yourself be carried away…One of the nice things to do is to stop at the coral gardens at motu Vaiorea. The motus are surrounded by crystal clear water and white sand beaches.
2 – Visit the island's archaeological sites
And yes, Polynesia is not just white sand and coconut palms. This island has many archaeology sites, called “marae”. They are scattered around the island and interesting to visit on your tour of Huahine. To mention just a few important and easy sites to visit, there is marae Maeva and the shore of Lake Fauna Nui, the Fare Pote’e which has a small museum explaining what you’re seeing and the beautiful Marae Anini in Parea at the southern tip of Huahine at the edge of a sublime white sand beach. If you’re interested in knowing more about this site, visit Tahiti Heritage page, the Bible of Polynesian history and sites remaining that can be visited.
3 – Drive around the island
The drive around the island of Huahine is very pleasant. Don’t drive fast so you’ll have plenty of time to visit the archaeological sites, mentioned above, and stop at superb viewpoints – “belevederes” along the way. When the weather is good, these offer wonderful views of the lagoon and coral reefs in the distance.
During your drive, stop to admire the fish parks in the inlet that connects the lake to the ocean. You’ll see them at the exit of Maeva just after the bridge, on the left side. These fish parks were built by the ancient people and it seems that they are still, more or less, used. The objective is that the fish, move through the maze with the tide to the end of the triangle that is at the same level as the small ‘fare’. I went back several times to take pictures as I found this place so beautiful.
Don’t hesitate to walk until the end of the roads that lead nowhere. There are lots of dead ends like this and their beauty will surprise you.
If you wish, you can take a guided tour of the island. This can be a great way to learn more about the island. I particularly recommend the HineOraVai Island Tour with Henry. His tours are highly regarded. Other tours are also available through other tour operators.
4 – Visit the pearl farm and the pottery workshop
You could consider doing this during your road trip around the island, or even better, take more time and do it another day. The “Huahine Pearl Farm” is in the bay, right before the little village of Faie. A small outrigger, with dubious scheduling, takes you there. You can spend time in the little house overwater and learn about how the nucleus is implanted in the pearl oyster and how the pearl forms. You, obviously, have the “bonus” of being able to buy some pearls, either alone, or already set in jewelry.
5 – Go see the sacred eels of Faie
The island of Huahine is particularly well known for its’ sacred eels. They are found in one spot in a creek in the main village of Faie. There is a sign on the road on the right. The local folk feed them with leftovers. It’s impressive to see how many there are in so little water.
While I was there little children had their feet in the water. I wasn’t too sure about that…
6 – Enjoy the beaches of the island
The island of Huahine has some beautiful beaches, some of the best in the high islands. Regardless of it’s during your drive around the island or during your boat tour, take the time to stop and enjoy the beaches (with coconut and palm trees) you see for relaxation and tranquil time.
During my boat tour, my friends took me to the deserted site of the Hotel Hana Iti. The beach is lovely with a backdrop of the deserted bungalows perched on the mountainside. You can easily climb thru the lush vegetation to the top of the hill and admire the lagoon from this magnificent viewpoint.
However, in my opinion, the most beautiful and breathtaking beach on the French polynesian island, by far, is the beach of the abandoned Sofitel hotel. If, like me, you have the chance to be alone, it’s magical. Picture postcard perfect and without the crowds. To get there, go left as you leave Maeva, after the bridge and drive to the end. You can always ask a local if needed.
7 – Eat at Taraa's Snack
I especially wanted to talk about food in this article because anyone, French most particularly, who respect themselves love eating, right? If you’re in the southern part of the island, don’t hesitate to stop at this little snack bar by the water. You can eat raw fish in coconut milk, a typical Polynesian dish. The setting is lovely and, in my opinion, the food is very good. The prices are reasonable and you’ll enjoy the time you spend here as I did.
8 – Scuba diving in Huahine
Unfortunately, I can’t give specifies on this nautical activity, nor how I feel about it, but I know there are several scuba diving clubs in Huahine island. My friends dive with Michel from Pacific Blue Adventure and highly recommend him. If you’re a scuba diver, this is something you should plan to do to enjoy the marine life and the coral reefs here on the island. You’re sure to see turtles, sharks, small black tip reef sharks and, if you’re lucky, manta rays. Polynesian waters have a rich and diverse marine fauna. There’s also the Mahana Dive club for your information.
9 – Have breakfast at the Mahana Hotel
This was recommanded to us before we came and is something I like more and more. Spending a few hours eating a leisurely breakfast in one of the beautiful hotels on the island. The setting at the Mahana Hotel is awesome and breakfast prices are reasonable. As a bonus, enjoy the superb beach in front of the hotel do some snorkeling and admire the corals. To the right of the pontoon there is a large colony of anemones and clown fish! The hotel also provides kayaks, surfboards and paddles for guests, so cool isn’t it ? In short you can spend a morning here no worries!
10 – Go kayaking to the motus in the southern part of Huahine
When I was in Huahine we stayed on the southern tip of the island in Haapu at Camping Plage Guest house. There were kayaks available to paddle out to the motus opposite the guesthouse. My two-year-old son and I paddled out with no trouble and we had a great time, both during the crossing and the time we spent on the nice beaches. It was also an opportunity to look more closely at the seabed and admire the turquoise waters.
Even if you’re not staying at this place, I think you can still rent their kayaks or use others from another guesthouse.
11 – Hiking in Huahine
I must admit, I didn’t go hiking while I was there, but it is definitely something to do to see the valleys, waterfalls, etc. Teri, the only official guide on the island, at Camping Hiva Plage, can offer to show you the interior beauty of Huahine, which is Interesting to know for those who want to stretch their legs during their stay.
Here are just a few of the walks to consider:
- Mont Tapu (3.5km return): access to a beautiful summit on Huahine Nui (429m). It’s a steep, fast climb but the views from the top are amazing!
- Hana Iti beach walk: a short walk to the beach of the old hotel (Huahine Iti).
- Mont Pohue Rahi (6.3km return): also on Huahine Iti, this is the highest peak on the island (462m) on a trail described as easy and quite shady!
12 – Buy gifts from your trip
I will end my short list of things to do in Huahine by reminding you to bring back some small gifts for yourself or your friends. There are 3 specific items I think are a priority.
- Vanilla : you’ll find it around do don’t hesitate to ask your host where you are staying to suggest where you can buy the famous vanilla beans. You can also visit the Vairupe vanilla plantation.
- Believe it or not, but there is a local distillery in town, known by everyone that offers good bottles of various alcohols. There is something for everyone.
- Finally, I had heard a lot about the handmade sarongs found on the island. You’ll find them everywhere, even on the side of the road. You can choose the color and the pattern. Plus, a sarong is a nice gift and also for yourself.
I’ll continue this article about Huahine by giving you some practical advice about how to get there and where to stay.
Island of Huahine - Practical corner
How to get to the island of Huahine?
Going to Huahine by plane
To get to Huahine Island, you must of course first reach Tahiti Island, the main island of French Polynesia (the only international airport for now). For Americans, the cheapest way is to fly from San Francisco to Papeete. If you are flexible, you can find flights at $650/700. If you live far from SF, I recommend that you first fly internally from a major US city to SF. For Canadians, I also recommend that you take a flight from a major Canadian city to San Francisco and continue with another flight SF -> Papeete. Usually, Frenchbee, United and Air tahiti Nui are the main companies to come to Tahiti.
For air travel, there’s only one option: choose Air Tahiti, the island’s oldest and best-known airline. Expect to pay around 10,000 xpf/person for a round trip. And don’t forget that Air Tahiti also offers passes that allow you to visit several islands in the Society Archipelago at a reduced price.
If you are looking for the cheapest flights to come here, I advise you to look at this flight comparator that I have been using for more than 10 years now. ?
Going to Huahine by boat
It’s also possible to go to Huahine by boat from Tahiti with the Apetahi Express, the ferry linking the Leeward Islands. The cost is 9900 xpf (same as the plane, by the way…).
I mention others possibilities on my page of inter-island sailing. You can also sail to Huahine from the island of Raiatea by catamaran in the form of a mini-cruise. With a little luck and depending on the season, you might even see whales. Also, some famous boats are cruising from Tahiti, like Paul Gauguin !
Where to stay on Huahine Island?
There is something to satisfy everyone in Huahine; back packer camping, small guest lodges called family pensions and beautiful hotels.
For those economy minded travelers there are two places where you can camp. Both are on the southern tip of the island. I stayed at Camping Hiva Plage located at the edge of a beautiful beach. The setting is heavenly. You can either camp by the beach, or stay in a small cabin. It’s rustic, I’m warning you. There is a communal cooking area and two available showers. If you like simplicity, it is a very nice place.
There is another site where you can pitch a tent, a few kilometers before Hiva Beach, by the ocean. I haven’t been able to find its’ name so therefore it doesn’t seem to be an official campsite, but it’s worth a look.
For those looking for a little more comfort, you can take a closer look at Pension Tupuna, Moana Lodge, Tifaifai and Café or Fare Maeva.
Here’s another thing to note if you are already in Tahiti or know someone who lives there, Sejours dans les Iles, is a website that offers packages including flights and guesthouses. These packages are cheaper than taking everything separately.
Finally, if you’re a fan of gorgeous hotels and/or of overwater huts, then I particularly recommend :
The resort offers authentic hospitality in a really cool setting on the oceanfront on the northwest coast of Huahine. The bungalows, inspired by Polynesian pirogues, offer a relaxing experience with different categories available, a renowned restaurant and free activities such as snorkelling and kayaking.
Situated at the southern end of Huahine Iti, this is a hotel we’ve visited several times. It has the best facilities on the island. It has a magnificent white sandy beach, 33 Polynesian-style bungalows and leisure facilities such as kayaking and snorkelling. It also offers attractive packages with Tahiti Yacht Charter. Despite its remoteness, a car is required to take full advantage of this exceptional setting.
How to get around Huahine?
The island itself isn’t huge, but it’s far too big to get around on foot or by bike. You have the choice of renting a scooter or a car. There are several car rental companies on the island, including AVIS Location, Europcar, Isabelle Location and others.
For cars, expect to pay between 6900 and 12,500 xpf per day.
Hitchhiking generally works well on the islands too!
Where to eat on the island?
Depending on where you’re staying, it’s quite possible you’ll be on a half-board. This is probably the best method if you don’t want to cook for yourself. Some guesthouses offer cooking facilities, which will save you some money. There are a lot of stores scattered around the island that sell necessities and snacks. Sometimes you’ll see take-away meals for sale on the side of the road for not much. If you’re staying on the southern end of the island and plan to cook for yourself, it’s best to stock up at Super U in town when you leave the airport.
That’s it. This is the end of my article about what to do in the Huahine island (South Pacific). Now you know all about the things to do and the things to see in Huahine. Personally, I really like this island; calm, authentic and very beautiful. It feels good to be away from the crowds of tourists you meet on other islands. I personally prefer Huahine to Raiatea, which I found too big and busy. It’s a matter of taste. Take the time and spend a few days in Huahine, you won’t be disappointed, but my favorite island is still Maupiti, in Oceania.
I wish you a beautiful Polynesian holiday of discovery.
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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Very nice article, thank you! I am headed over to Huahine tomorrow for a few days – I look forward to my visit and will use some of your suggestions!
Hi Jeanne,
Thanks for your message. I’m glad you liked the post and i truly hoped you will enjoy your stay there.
Sylvain