Tour Overview
While Bora Bora draws the crowds and Moorea the hikers, Huahine keeps its secrets. Often called the Garden Island for its abundant tropical vegetation, Huahine is actually two islands — Huahine Nui (Big Huahine) and Huahine Iti (Little Huahine) — connected by a bridge across Maroe Bay. This is the Society Islands at their most genuine: no major resorts, no traffic lights, no cruise ship terminals. Instead, you’ll find ancient marae (stone temples) scattered through the forest, sacred blue-eyed eels that have been protected by local legend for generations, and a local population proud of their status as the last bastion of traditional Polynesian life in the archipelago. This 5-day itinerary takes you deep into Huahine’s culture, from the early-morning fish market at Fare’s wharf to the hilltop archaeological site of Maeva. You’ll taste vanilla from small-plot plantations, watch artisans weave pandanus leaves into hats and baskets, and understand why Huahine is the island that locals visit for their own holidays.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Fare Village Discovery
Fly from Tahiti to Huahine (approximately 40 minutes). Your driver meets you at Huahine Airport on the island’s north end with a flower lei and transfers you to your accommodation near Fare, the island’s main village. After settling in, explore Fare on foot — the village is walkable in about an hour. Visit the Fare Wharf area, where inter-island freighters unload supplies and fishermen sell their morning catch. The adjacent Huahine Yacht Club (more a casual bar than a club) serves cold Hinano beer with lagoon views. At 4 PM, visit the waterfront when the fishing boats return — this is when Fare comes alive, and you might spot the daily arrival of the Air Tahiti turboprop gliding low over the lagoon. Sunset dinner at a restaurant along the Fare waterfront, watching the silhouette of Raiatea and Tahaa on the horizon.
Day 2: Sacred Blue-Eyed Eels, Maeva Marae & Archaeological Tour
After breakfast, drive south along Huahine Nui’s east coast to the village of Faie. Here, in a freshwater stream beside the road, lives a population of sacred blue-eyed eels (puhi miti) — some over 1.5 meters long with distinctive bright blue eye rings. Local children will demonstrate feeding the eels with canned mackerel, a practice rooted in ancient legend: these eels are believed to be the reincarnated spirits of ancestors and are protected by customary law. Next, continue south to Maeva village, once the seat of Huahine’s royal family. Maeva boasts the largest concentration of pre-European marae in French Polynesia. Explore Marae Manunu, Marae Anini, and the restored Fare Potee (traditional meeting house museum) where exhibits explain the social and religious significance of these stone structures. On the hill above Maeva stands Marae Matairea Rahi, the most important royal marae, with panoramic views over Lake Fauna Nui — a brackish lake that was once a natural fish trap for Huahine’s chiefs. Lunch at a family-run snack overlooking the lake.
Day 3: Belvedere Lookout, Vanilla Plantation & Huahine Iti Circuit
Morning departure for the Belvedere de Huahine lookout point, accessible by a short, paved road. The view encompasses Maroe Bay, Huahine Iti’s lush mountains across the water, and the coral reef stretching toward the horizon. From here, it’s clear why Huahine translates to ‘woman’ — the profile of the pregnant woman (Femme Enceinte), a mountain ridge visible from Maroe Bay, gave the island its name in Polynesian legend. Visit a small organic vanilla plantation in the Fare area. Unlike the commercial operations of Tahaa, Huahine’s vanilla farms are family plots where cultivation methods have changed little in generations. After lunch, drive the Huahine Iti circuit — the smaller, wilder southern half of the island. The 15-kilometer road loops past secluded beaches, the ruins of the Sofitel Huahine (closed since 2017, nature reclaiming the luxury), and the white sand of Avea Bay — Huahine’s best swimming beach, protected by the outer reef. Snorkel in the bay’s coral gardens, where the absence of tourist development means unusually abundant marine life.
Day 4: 4×4 Safari, Lake Fauna Nui & Cultural Workshop
Board a 4×4 vehicle for a safari into Huahine Nui’s rugged interior. The dirt tracks climb through dense tropical forest, crossing streams and passing through plantations of noni (the medicinal fruit), breadfruit (uru), and taro. The island’s interior is dramatically different from the coast — moist, green, and alive with birdsong. Stop at a viewpoint where both Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti spread out below like a map. After the safari, visit the Huahine Pearl Farm and Pottery Studio, where an American expatriate creates unique ceramics using local clays and glazes, alongside a small pearl operation. This is one of French Polynesia’s most unexpected artisan experiences. In the afternoon, participate in a local cultural workshop — learn to weave a traditional pandanus hat, make flower crowns (hei), or prepare poisson cru under the guidance of a local ‘mama.’ Farewell dinner at a recommended restaurant in Fare, perhaps featuring the island’s specialty: freshwater shrimp (chevrettes) from Lake Fauna Nui.
Day 5: Morning Market & Departure
If your stay includes a weekend, visit the Fare Market for fresh produce, local crafts, and the best socializing on the island. Even on weekdays, morning strolls through Fare reveal daily island life: schoolchildren in uniform, fishermen mending nets, and the gentle rhythms of a community where everyone knows everyone. Transfer to Huahine Airport for your flight back to Tahiti. The 40-minute flight provides final views of Huahine’s two islands, Maroe Bay, and the vast lagoon — fitting farewell to the island that most closely preserves the soul of ancient Polynesia.
What’s Included
- 4 nights accommodation near Fare village (beachfront bungalow with breakfast)
- Return airport transfers on Huahine with flower lei greeting
- Full-day guided cultural tour: Faie sacred eels, Maeva marae complex, Lake Fauna Nui
- Half-day guided tour: Belvedere, vanilla plantation & Huahine Iti circuit with Avea Bay snorkeling
- Half-day 4×4 safari into Huahine Nui’s interior
- Cultural workshop (pandanus weaving, flower crown making, or cooking class)
- Pearl farm and pottery studio visit
- Daily breakfast
- Bicycle rental for 2 days
- English-speaking local guide
What’s Not Included
- International flights and inter-island flights (Tahiti-Huahine round trip)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Lunches and dinners (except as noted)
- Optional lagoon snorkeling/boat excursion (can be arranged locally)
- Souvenir purchases (vanilla, woven crafts, pottery)
- Personal expenses and drinks
- Tips and gratuities
Accommodation
Beachfront bungalow at Maitai Lapita Village Huahine, Royal Huahine, or similar boutique property near Fare. Accommodation features lagoon or garden views, air conditioning, private terrace, and the relaxed, personal atmosphere that defines Huahine hospitality.
Best Time to Visit
May to October for dry season, ideal for exploring archaeological sites and cycling. November to April offers lush green landscapes and excellent conditions for whale watching (humpback whales calve in the waters around Huahine from July to November). The Hawaiki Nui Va’a outrigger canoe race passes through Huahine in October/November. Heiva celebrations (July) feature traditional dance, music, and sports competitions.
Important Notes
- Huahine has limited tourism infrastructure — this is part of its charm but means fewer restaurant choices and no luxury resort chains
- Sacred eels must not be touched or removed from the water; they are protected by law and custom
- Some marae sites are still considered sacred by local communities; follow your guide’s instructions about appropriate behavior and photography
- Bring: comfortable walking shoes, swimwear, reef shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, rain jacket (interior can be wet even in dry season)
- Limited WiFi available at accommodation; embrace the slower pace
- Cash (XPF) is essential — only a handful of businesses accept credit cards
- The island has no pharmacy — bring any personal medications
