Tahaa Island: What to do and see in a few days?
Last update: 03/12/2024
Are you coming to visit Tahaa Island, in French Polynesia? That’s good, I just spent a long weekend there. I can therefore give you my opinion on what can be done and seen in just a few days. Between us, I wasn’t blessed by the weather over those few days on the tropical island, but I think I saw what I thought was interesting. I sincerely believe that Tahaa Island should be part of your itinerary in French Polynesia. I really enjoyed this French polynesian island. This is not a complete guide of the island, but rather a story of the few days I spent on the island with some ideas.
At the time, there was a possibility to get there by day from Bora Bora by ULM but this activity is no longer available. Now, however, you can fly over Tahaa by helicopter which can also be cool. I’ll tell you more about it below and give you 4 recommendations of cool activities to do in Tahaa.
A small tropical island lost in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, Tahaa Island is part of the Leeward Islands archipelago. It remains an island that is still quite preserved from tourism in general and relatively isolated from tourist flows. It must be said that the island does not have an airport, which allows it to keep a certain charm.
It is often an island that I recommend to people who are looking for calm, authenticity and beautiful landscapes. The island is also very suitable for a honeymoon. It has a beautiful resort (hotel with bungalow on stilts), on one of the motus around the island. Lovers of crystal clear waters will also be happy here…
Must-sees on Tahaa island
The tour of Tahaa Island
If you are asking yourself what to do on Tahaa Island, I will start here. Indeed, as soon as you set foot on this small paradisiac island, you are immediately surprised by the omnipresence of calm and serenity. Here, there are no Chinese buses passing through, you only meet very few people, and everything breathes authenticity.
Clearly, it is the ideal place to spend a romantic weekend or for an escape during your honeymoon, without being bothered by a mass of tourists….
I therefore advise you, as I said, to please yourself by going around the island. Ideally, do it by scooter with good weather, you have some superb views of the bays. You can also rent cars (but it’s more expensive) or bicycles (but it’s tiring!). It is up to you to choose which means of transport suits you best.
Tahaa Island, the vanilla island as it is also called, is famous for its very large bays, including Haamene, the largest in French Polynesia.
Take advantage of your picturesque island tour to admire the breathtaking views of Raiatea (looking east), then onto the splendid Bora Bora (The Pearl of Pacific) to the north west of the island. Don’t forget either to stop at the island’s crossroads, which offers a splendid and breathtaking view of the island’s turquoise lagoon.
By taking your time and stopping to buy a small snack on the road in a store, the tour will take you all day trip.
Vanilla Valley
Tahaa Island in Oceania is obviously not called the vanilla island for nothing. You will come across vanilla plantations along the roads and paths all over the island. You will also notice the greenhouses on the right and left around the island. Vanilla cultivation is indeed very present on the island and this is one of the things to see in Tahaa, French Polynesia.
At the time I wrote this article, I was talking about a place called the “Vanilla Museum – Musée de la Vanille (in French)” on the road from Haamene to the village of Poutoru. It was high up in the lush and tropical forest. It was run by a local man who explained everything with passion. We discovered all the processes of vanilla production (fertilisation of the flower, drying in the sun, etc.). It was really interesting, especially as the person in charge was very friendly. We spent 2 hours there in complete tranquillity. It was a place we would definitely recommend. Unfortunately, on our second visit to Tahaa Island in September 2020, we heard that the Vanilla Museum was no longer open.
However, a new place has opened, the Vanilla Valley (Vallée de la Vanille – in French), on the east coast. We were lucky enough to visit one morning before the tourists arrived (which we highly recommend). You get a great explanation of vanilla and everything that goes with it. You can then visit the small plantation behind it. It’s fun, free and well worth a visit. Of course, you can buy a wide range of products made from vanilla extract and all its derivatives (powder, rum, honey, etc.). You’ll also find oils (tamanu, coconut). A must-do on the island of Tahaa.
We’ve just written a full article on Tahitian vanilla. We explain everything you need to know about vanilla itself, as well as information about vanilla grown in Polynesia.
Visit of the Island's Rum distillery
In the things to do and see on Tahaa Island, we were recommended to do a tour of the only rum factory on the island. We had a little visit of the place with the manager who is quite nice.
He explained how rum is made on Tahaa Island… We also got an explanation about oils. These are 100% coconut or tamanu extra virgins, of food and/or cosmetic quality. In short, a was a little visit worth a visit.
Spend a day on the motu of Tahaa Island resort and Spa
You dream of a private white sand beach, a beautiful beach restaurant, a superb lush tropical garden, a private swimming pool, a King size bed? Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa is perfect for a romantic stay. For the record, the hotel is part of the Relais Chateaux group. So yes, I see you coming, he spent the day in a luxury hotel on a paradise island? Yes indeed! And it is even a 5-star hotel! Here is our complete article about the Taha’a Island Resort & Spa that we had the opportunity to test during a weekend! Here is their website.
No, more seriously, it’s certainly true, but there are circumstances. There is actually a shuttle boat that takes you to the island for free (as long as you eat or have breakfast!) and drops you off on the hotel deck. The arrival is splendid on an emerald sea. We spent the day on the hotel islet enjoying an excellent breakfast buffet. A real treat. Judge for yourself.
After eating our bellies out, we enjoyed the incredible location of the hotel. You can enjoy a short walk around the small lagoon behind the hotel while discovering the area and swimming with the family in a sumptuous setting.
We also visited the island’s famous coral garden, which is (to my taste) relatively disappointing. If you are a regular in the tropics and nautical activities (diving or snorkeling), you will probably also be a little disappointed. Anyway, it’s worth a visit knowing you’re there, Polynesian waters abound in a rich marine biodiversity and fauna. Put on your mask and snorkel and go out to discover the coral reefs and the marine life. You will find all the classic tropical fish and some beautiful clams. The setting is idyllic and you will enjoy a superb moment in the turquoise waters in front of the hotel while admiring the view of Bora Bora. With a little luck, you may encounter sea turtles, sharks, moray eels and of course some corals, etc. The spot reminds me of some corners of New Caledonia in particular.
You can also enjoy the hotel’s infinity pool with a view of the lagoon, paradise on earth is not far away.
Walk on the beach of Joe Dassin
Finally, we ended our mini-stay on Tahaa Island, with a walk on the white sandy beach (with coconut and palm tress) of “Joe Dassin”. For the record, the singer died in French Polynesia in August 1980.
We were recommended to go for a walk on this small white sandy beach. To get there, you have to go (by car or scooter) to the village of Poutoru. Once there, you can park on the vacant lot and simply walk along the seaside.
You then cross a coconut grove (watch your head) and palm trees to reach, after 15 minutes of walking, the small beach next to a shelter. The place is very pleasant and usually there aren’t tourists. It is a good place to relax and enjoy a white sandy beach. Enjoying this white sandy beach is one of the best things to do on Tahaa.
Spend a day on the Motu Céran
This information is an addition of September 2020. We had the opportunity to go back to visit Tahaa Island and during our stay at the Hibiscus Guesthouse, the owner of the place invited us to spend a day on this beautiful white sand islet located off the island of Tahaa. I don’t show you pictures here, but rather invite you to read the article about our day on the Motu Céran, a wonder!
Explore Pari Pari Domain
We’ve been there a couple of times and it’s a lot of fun! On the spot you can find out how rum, oils and a variety of coconut-based products are made. The tour is really interesting and entertaining, with clear explanations. The hospitality is friendly, the products are top quality and, of course, you can taste them. It’s a must for fans of local crafts and those curious about traditional production.
Visit a pearl farm
This is one of the islands where it’s worth visiting a pearl farm! There are 3 main pearl farms on the island:
- Love Here Pearl Farm: in the north-west of the island, where you can buy pearls on the spot. Very friendly welcome!
- Champon Pearl Farm: the best known, on the roadside in Apu Bay. Visits and explanations on the spot. Keshis available!
- Ia Ora Na Pearl Farm: North of Tapuamu. Beautiful gems, free tour
Lagoon excursion
Tahaa’s lagoon is an exceptional sight and we strongly recommend that you plan a day trip to explore it, ideally from Tahaa if you are staying on the island for several days. There are many operators offering excursions from Tahaa and Raiatea, but we won’t go into detail about those from Raiatea because there are so many. But here are our two particular recommendations:
- Are Tours Raiatea Tahaa: departing from Raiatea, this is one of our most recommended lagoon tours, with a very good reputation and excellent feedback. This is the only operator on Raiatea we’re mentioning here. A tour we 100% recommend if you want to discover the beauties of the Tahaa lagoon, including a visit to the vanilla plantations, a visit to Pari Pari, snorkelling stops and the motus.
- Heremana Tours: This is a magnificent 4-hour tour departing from the village of Tapuamu on Tahaa Island. Accompanied by passionate local guides, you’ll have the chance to swim with stingrays and black tip sharks. A snorkelling break in the magnificent coral garden will allow you to explore the exceptional underwater biodiversity of this enchanting place. Snorkelling equipment is available for hire. Fruit and beverage tasting is provided.
Activities in Taha'a?
As I told you before, there are some nice paid activities to do if you decided to spend a few days on the island of Tahaa. Here are (for now) my 4 recommendations!
- Explore the lagoon - Boat trip : I finally managed to find a provider who offers a nice lagoon trip from Tahaa island (it's rare!). It was a great half-day to discover the place!
- Discover Taha'a by helicopter : You have the possibility to experience the beauty of Taha'a from the sky from the neighboring island of Raiatea. A delight for the eyes!
- Discover Tahaa with a 4x4 trip : Discover the secrets of the island of Tahaa during this half-day 4x4 trip.
- Sunset boat trip : Here is a great activity to spend a good time in a dream location during the beautiful evening colors! All this with a cocktail on the water!
Check out other activities for your trip to French Polynesia
You can also consider :
- Scuba diving on the island (only one centre). Note that the club offers the “Te Moana” Pass, which is one of the ways to save money in French Polynesia.
- Hiking to the island’s “belvedere”. Ask the guesthouse where you are to explain the departure (behind Haamene’s pharmacy). Apparently, it’s a very beautiful viewpoint.
- Go for a walk on the archaeological site of the polynesian island (everyone knows).
Finally, you can fly over the island of Tahaa and admire its beauty from the air, either by helicopter or microlight :
Tahiti Air Lagon (Microlight)
Here’s a new activity. From the neighbouring island of Raiatea, you can now take a microlight flight over the magnificent island of Tahaa. You can be sure, and take our word for it, that you’ll be amazed by the beauty of the Tahaa turquoise lagoon. For a very affordable price, this is a golden opportunity to really enjoy yourself! There are several tours to choose from:
- A classic flight over the motus of Tahaa (35 mins)
- A flight over Raiatea and Tahaa (1h30)
- A flight over Bora Bora, Raiatea and Tahaa (1h30)
Tahiti Nui Helicopters
Helicopters are another great option if you’re interested in getting a bird’s eye view of Tahaa Island from the air. Several tours are also available:
- Discover Tahaa Island (15 minutes),
- Tour of Tahaa and Raiatea (30 minutes)
- or discover the interior of the two islands (45 minutes).
Clearly a feast for the eyes. However, the prices are much higher than for microlight flights.
How to get to Tahaa Island?
As with all the other islands of French Polynesia, you will first have to arrive on Tahiti Island. The prices to come here at the lowest cost vary according to where you live. From the USA, the cheapest flights at the moment are still from San Francisco to Papeete, for about 500/600$ (if you are flexible).
From Tahiti: Remember that there is no airport on the island of Tahaa. You will have to fly to the neighbouring island of Raiatea.
There are two ways to get there from Tahiti (Papeete):
- Take Air Tahiti, which flies to the island several times a day. Expect to pay around 38,000 Xpf/person return. The airline also offers passes that include Raiatea and allow you to explore the other Leeward Islands.
- Choose Moana Air, which offers flights from 29,000 xpf/person return.
From the island of Raiatea, there are several ways to get to Tahaa by boat:
- Take the Apetahi Express, which sails from the island of Tahiti around the Leeward Islands, passing through Tahaa.
- Take the Tahaa Transport Rapide (TTR) from the quay in Uturoa (accessible from the airport for 500/1000 xpf).
- Take the Maupiti Express – check with the company for departure and arrival days in Tahaa.
Where to sleep in Tahaa?
On the South Pacific island, you will find a few guesthouses and hotels.
If you’re looking for cheap accommodation, there are plenty of Airbnb listings in the area.
For the record, we stayed at Pension Hibiscus in September 2020. Despite mixed reviews online, we were very pleasantly surprised by the place. We appreciated the warm welcome from the owners, the large, well-maintained bungalows with mosquito nets, and the lush vegetation all around. We were there on half board and, frankly, we ate well. We highly recommend it! In fact, it has been revived for 2021.
You can also try the Vahine Island Resort and Spa, which we think is one of the best places to stay if you’re looking for overwater bungalows in French Polynesia, in a peaceful setting away from the large hotel groups. For more affordable options, there’s the Au Phil du temps guesthouse, Fare Pea Iti, Pension Titaina and Moana Beach.
For those who want to take the time to spend a few days on Tahaa Island, and who are looking for beautiful accommodation, I offer you 3 quality accommodations.
Le Taha’a by Pearl Resort
It is by far the most beautiful place on the island and one of the most beautiful I have ever seen in French Polynesia. The setting is idyllic, simply magical!
Eden Private Island
Let yourself be tempted to spend a few days on a motu isolated from the world, all in a splendid place
La Perle de Tahaa
A popular spot with bungalows for up to 4 people. Activities available on site!
How to get around the island
The island isn’t huge, but it’s large enough that you can’t just walk around it. There are several solutions: bike hire (often available in guesthouses or ask for an Airbnb), scooter hire or car hire, the latter being the most expensive. You can cover part of the island on a bike. If you’re really motivated, you should be able to cycle around the whole island. If you’re spending several days on the island, I would still recommend at least a bike or scooter. There are several car rental agencies. You can find rentals from 6500/7000 xpf/day. There are also electric bikes (VAE) available from Enjoy Cycling Tahaa for 4500 xpf/day.
I also wrote a more general article on how to get around between and on the islands in French Polynesia.
If you are looking for other islands for your itinerary in Polynesia, I really advise you to visit another great favorite, the island of Maupiti.
So, I hope that this little insight has allowed you to know what to do and see on Tahaa Island? So you would like to visit Tahaa for vacations? For my part, I spent a good time there, a very beautiful island in an enchanting setting, still authentic (perfect to discover Polynesian culture), to discover without a doubt if you are in the area. So are you convinced to visit the island or not? Perhaps you are hesitating with other islands? If you need any advice, don’t hesitate to contact me, I will be happy to help you for you travel to French Polynesia!
Sylvain