Tahaa Island: What to do and see in a few days?

Are you planning to visit Tahaa Island in French Polynesia? Perfect timing: I have just spent a long weekend there, so I can share my thoughts on what you can do and see in just a few days. Between us, the weather was not exactly on my side during those few days on this tropical island, but I still feel that I saw most of what interested me. I sincerely believe Tahaa Island deserves a place on your French Polynesia itinerary. I really enjoyed this Polynesian island. This is not a complete guide to the island, but rather an account of the few days I spent there, along with a few ideas.

At the time, it was possible to take a day trip there from Bora Bora by microlight, but this activity is no longer available. You can now fly over Tahaa by helicopter, which can be a great experience too. I’ll tell you more about it below and share four recommendations for fun activities to do in Tahaa.

If you’re wondering what to do on Tahaa Island, this is where I would start. As soon as you set foot on this small paradise island, you are struck by the sense of peace and serenity everywhere. There are no busloads of Chinese tourists passing through, you meet very few people, and everything feels authentic.

Clearly, it is an ideal place for a romantic weekend or a honeymoon escape, without being surrounded by crowds of tourists…

As I mentioned, I recommend treating yourself to a tour around the island. Ideally, do it by scooter when the weather is good, as you will enjoy some superb views over the bays. You can also rent a car, although it is more expensive, or a bicycle, although that is more tiring! It is up to you to choose the means of transportation that suits you best.

Tahaa Island, also known as the Vanilla Island, is famous for its vast bays, including Haamene, the largest in French Polynesia.

As you make your way around the island, take time to admire the beautiful views of Raiatea to the east, followed by splendid Bora Bora, the Pearl of the Pacific, to the northwest. Don’t forget to stop at the island’s crossroads either, where you will find a magnificent view over the turquoise lagoon.

If you take your time and stop at a store along the way to pick up a snack, the tour will take most of the day.

Tahaa Island in Oceania is not called the Vanilla Island for nothing. You will come across vanilla plantations along roads and paths throughout the island, as well as greenhouses on either side of the road. Vanilla growing is an important part of life here, and discovering it is one of the things to do in Tahaa, French Polynesia.

When I first wrote this article, I mentioned a place called the “Vanilla Museum – Musée de la Vanille (in French)” on the road from Haamene to the village of Poutoru. It was located high in the lush tropical forest and run by a local man who explained everything with genuine passion. We learned about every stage of vanilla production, from pollinating the flower to drying the pods in the sun. It was genuinely interesting, especially because the owner was so friendly. We spent two peaceful hours there and would definitely have recommended it. Unfortunately, during our second visit to Tahaa Island in September 2020, we learned that the Vanilla Museum was no longer open.

However, a new place has opened: 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. The explanations about vanilla and everything involved in producing it are excellent, and you can then walk through the small plantation behind the building. It is enjoyable, free, and well worth a visit. Of course, you can also buy a wide range of vanilla products and derivatives, including powder, rum, and honey. You will also find tamanu and coconut oils. It is a must-do on Tahaa Island.

We’ve also written a full article on Tahitian vanilla, in which we explain everything you need to know about vanilla, along with more information about the vanilla grown in Polynesia.

Among the things to do and see on Tahaa Island, we were advised to tour one of the island’s rum distilleries. The friendly manager gave us a short tour of the property.

He explained how rum is made on Tahaa Island… We also learned about the oils produced there: 100% extra-virgin coconut or tamanu oils suitable for culinary and/or cosmetic use. In short, it was a brief but worthwhile visit.

Dreaming of a private white-sand beach, a lovely beachfront restaurant, a lush tropical garden, a private pool, and a king-size bed? Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts is perfect for a romantic stay. For the record, the hotel is a member of Relais & Châteaux. So yes, I know what you’re thinking: he spent the day at a luxury hotel on a paradise island? Yes, indeed! And it is even a five-star hotel. Here is our full article about Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts, which we had the opportunity to experience for a weekend!

More seriously, that is true, but there were circumstances. At the time, a free shuttle boat took you to the motu, provided you ate or had breakfast at the hotel, and dropped you off at the resort’s dock. Arriving across the emerald-colored water was magnificent. We spent the day on the hotel’s motu, starting with an excellent breakfast buffet. A real treat. Judge for yourself.

After eating more than our fill, we made the most of the hotel’s incredible location. You can take a short walk around the small lagoon behind the resort, explore the surroundings, and swim with the family in a beautiful setting.

We also visited the island’s famous coral garden, which I personally found somewhat disappointing. If you are used to tropical destinations and water activities such as diving or snorkeling, you may feel the same. Still, it is worth visiting while you are there, as Polynesian waters are home to rich marine life and biodiversity. Put on your mask and snorkel and head out to explore the coral reefs and marine life. You will see the usual tropical fish and some beautiful giant clams. The setting is idyllic, and you can enjoy a wonderful swim in the turquoise water 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, plenty of coral. The spot particularly reminds me of certain places in New Caledonia.

You can also enjoy the hotel’s infinity pool overlooking the lagoon. Paradise on earth does not feel very far away.

Finally, we ended our short stay on Tahaa Island with a walk along the white-sand beach known as “Joe Dassin Beach,” fringed with coconut and palm trees. For the record, the singer died in French Polynesia in August 1980.

We were advised to take a walk along this small white-sand beach. To get there, drive or ride a scooter to the village of Poutoru. Once there, you can park on the vacant lot and simply follow the shoreline on foot.

You then cross a coconut grove (watch your head!) and pass through the palm trees before reaching the small beach beside a shelter after about 15 minutes of walking. It is a very pleasant place, and there are usually few or no tourists. This is a lovely spot to relax and enjoy a white-sand beach, and spending time here is one of the best things to do on Tahaa.

This section was added in September 2020. We had the opportunity to return to Tahaa Island, and during our stay at Pension Hibiscus, the owner invited us to spend a day on this beautiful white-sand islet just off Tahaa. I won’t share the photos here; instead, I invite you to read the article about our day on Motu Céran. What a wonderful place!

We’ve visited a couple of times, and it is a lot of fun! Once there, you can learn how rum, oils, and various coconut-based products are made. The tour is genuinely interesting and enjoyable, with clear explanations. The welcome is friendly, the products are excellent, and, of course, you can taste them. It is a must for anyone interested in local craftsmanship and traditional production methods.

This is one of the islands where visiting a pearl farm is well worth it! There are three main pearl farms on the island:

• Love Here Pearl Farm: in the northwest of the island, where you can buy pearls directly. A very friendly welcome!
• Champon Pearl Farm: the best known, located beside the road in Apu Bay. Tours and explanations are available on site, as well as keshi pearls!
• Ia Ora Na Pearl Farm: north of Tapuamu. Beautiful pearls and a free tour.

Tahaa’s lagoon is an exceptional sight, and we strongly recommend planning a day trip to explore it, ideally departing from Tahaa if you are staying on the island for several days. Many operators offer excursions from Tahaa and Raiatea, but we will not go into detail about all those departing from Raiatea because there are so many. Here are our two specific recommendations:

• Are Tours Raiatea Tahaa: departing from Raiatea, this is one of the lagoon tours we recommend most, with an excellent reputation and very positive feedback. It is the only Raiatea-based operator we are mentioning here. We recommend this tour without hesitation if you want to discover the beauty of Tahaa’s lagoon, with visits to vanilla plantations and Domaine Pari Pari, snorkeling stops, and time on the motus.
• Heremana Tours: this is a wonderful four-hour tour departing from the village of Tapuamu on Tahaa Island. Accompanied by passionate local guides, you will have the chance to swim with stingrays and blacktip sharks. A snorkeling stop in the beautiful coral garden lets you explore the rich underwater biodiversity of this enchanting place. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, and a tasting of fruit and drinks is included.

As I mentioned earlier, there are several enjoyable paid activities to try if you decide to spend a few days on Tahaa Island. For now, here are my four recommendations!

You can also consider:

• Scuba diving on the island (with Tahaa Diving). The center also accepts the Te Moana Diving Pass, which is one way to save money on diving in French Polynesia.
• Hiking to the island’s belvedere. Ask your guesthouse to explain where the trail begins, behind the pharmacy in Haamene. Apparently, the viewpoint is beautiful.
• Taking a walk around the Polynesian island’s archaeological site, which everyone locally seems to know.

Finally, you can fly over the island of Tahaa and admire its beauty from the air, either by helicopter or by microlight:

Tahiti Air Lagon (Microlight)

Here is another activity to consider. From the neighboring island of Raiatea, you can take a microlight flight over magnificent Tahaa. Take our word for it: the beauty of Tahaa’s turquoise lagoon from above is remarkable. It is a wonderful opportunity to treat yourself, with several flights to choose from:

• A classic flight over the motus of Tahaa (35 minutes)
• A flight over Raiatea and Tahaa (1 hour)
• A flight over Bora Bora, Raiatea, and Tahaa (1 hour 30 minutes)

Tahiti Nui Helicopters

A helicopter is another great option if you would like a bird’s-eye view of Tahaa Island. Several flights are available:

• Discover Tahaa Island (15 minutes)
• A tour of Tahaa and Raiatea (30 minutes)
• Discover the interior of both islands (45 minutes)

It is clearly a feast for the eyes, although prices are considerably higher than for microlight flights.

As with the other islands of French Polynesia, you will first need to reach Tahiti. The lowest fares depend largely on where you live and when you travel. From the United States, flights from San Francisco to Papeete are often among the most affordable options, especially if your dates are flexible.

From Tahiti: Remember that Tahaa Island has no airport, so you will need to fly to neighboring Raiatea.

Two airlines operate flights from Tahiti (Papeete) to Raiatea:

• Take Air Tahiti, which operates several flights to Raiatea each day. Round-trip fares start at around 32,000 XPF per person. The airline also offers passes that include Raiatea and allow you to explore other Leeward Islands.
• Choose Air Moana, which also operates direct flights between Tahiti and Raiatea. Fares vary depending on your dates and the fare class available.

Once on Raiatea, there are several ways to reach Tahaa by boat:

• Take the Apetahi Express, which sails from Tahiti through the Leeward Islands and calls at Tahaa.
• Take Tahaa Transport Rapide (TTR) from the quay in Uturoa. A transfer from the airport to the quay costs approximately 500 to 1,000 XPF.
• Take the Maupiti Express II, checking directly with the company for current departure and arrival days in Tahaa.

On this South Pacific island, you will find a small selection of guesthouses and hotels.

If you’re looking for inexpensive accommodations, you will also find plenty of Airbnb listings around the island.

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 stayed on a half-board basis and, frankly, ate very well. We highly recommend it! In fact, the property was relaunched in 2021.

You can also consider Vahine Private Island, which we think is one of the best places to stay if you are looking for overwater bungalows in French Polynesia in a peaceful setting away from the large hotel groups. For more affordable options, there is the Au Phil du Temps guesthouse, Fare Pea Iti, Pension Titaina, and Moana Beach.

The island is not huge, but it is large enough that you cannot simply explore it all on foot. You have several options: renting a bicycle, which is often possible through guesthouses or sometimes your Airbnb host; renting a scooter; or renting a car, which is the most expensive choice. You can cover part of the island by bike, and if you are highly motivated, you should be able to cycle all the way around it. Still, if you are spending several days on the island, I recommend having at least a bicycle or scooter. Several car rental agencies operate on Tahaa, with rates starting at around 6,500 to 7,000 XPF per day. Electric bikes are also available from Enjoy Cycling Tahaa for around 4,500 XPF per day.

I also wrote a more general article about traveling between the islands and getting around each island in French Polynesia.

If you are looking for other islands to add to your Polynesia itinerary, I strongly recommend visiting another of our favorites, the island of Maupiti.

I hope this brief overview has helped you understand what to do and see on Tahaa Island. Would you like to visit Tahaa on your next vacation? Personally, I had a wonderful time there. It is a beautiful island in an enchanting setting that still feels authentic, making it a perfect place to discover Polynesian culture. It is undoubtedly worth visiting if you are in the area. So, are you convinced, or are you still hesitating between Tahaa and other islands? If you need any advice, don’t hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to help you plan your trip to 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.

Despite our care, a mistake may have slipped into this article. If you find any, please don't hesitate to let us know so we can correct it as soon as possible and keep our information up-to-date!