Manta Point (Taha'a)

Miri Miri (Raiatea)

The Nordby Wreck (Raiatea)

Taha'a Coral Gardens

Taha'a Lagoon

Teavapiti Pass (Raiatea)

French Polynesian cuisine is a delicious fusion of traditional Polynesian cooking methods with French culinary influence. The iconic dish is poisson cru, fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice and coconut milk, served with vegetables. Other staples include grilled mahi-mahi and tuna, fafaru (fermented fish), and poe (tropical fruit pudding made with banana, papaya, or mango and coconut milk). Fresh breadfruit, taro, and sweet potato accompany most meals. The French influence brings quality baguettes, croissants, pastries, and fine wines to even the most remote islands. Roulettes (food trucks) in Papeete serve affordable Chinese, French, and Polynesian dishes.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort

Raiatea and Tahaa share one of the largest lagoon systems in the Society Islands, enclosed by a spectacular barrier reef with multiple passes and diverse dive environments. Raiatea is the cultural heart of Polynesia, home to the ancient Taputapuatea marae, and offers excellent diving including the Teavapiti Pass drift dive where grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, barracuda, and large snappers ride the tidal currents. The Nordby wreck, a fifty-metre three-masted schooner sunk in 1900, lies scattered at eighteen to twenty-five metres with anchors, cannons, and coral-encrusted structures providing habitat for abundant macro life. The Miri Miri site offers shallow reef diving with turtles, morays, and angelfish ideal for training. Across the shared lagoon, Tahaa lives up to its reputation as the vanilla island with aromatic plantations scenting the air and equally impressive underwater attractions. The Tahaa Coral Gardens provide drift diving between motus with stingrays, blacktip sharks, and excellent visibility in crystal-clear water. The seasonal Manta Point on Tahaa's outer reef attracts manta rays to cleaning stations alongside grey reef sharks and eagle rays. The sheltered Tahaa Lagoon is a macro paradise with pipefish, ghost pipefish, and seahorses among the coral bommies. Together, these two islands offer a compelling combination of cultural significance, historic wreck diving, pass adventures, and tranquil coral gardens that reward a multi-day visit.

Raiatea & Taha'a (Society Islands)

Air Tahiti flights from Papeete to Raiatea take forty-five minutes. Ferry connections available from Bora Bora and Huahine.

Where to Stay in Raiatea & Taha'a (Society Islands)

Accommodation Overview

Recommended Areas

Resorts

Hotels and Pensions

Motu Stays

Featured Hotels & Resorts

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort