Raiatea means “faraway heaven” and “sky with soft light”. This island is recognised as one of the most sacred in the region with its green-covered mountains that stretch up towards the celebrated Mt. Temehani. Here the dives take place in the passes where the clarity allows for you to wander the seabeds below.
DIVE SITES
Beneath the water surrounding the sacred Raiatea island, you’ll not only find history sunken in a wreck, but also some big friendly fish.
The Nordby Wreck
This is one dive that must be taken both day and night to fully appreciate the wreck of The Nordby – a Danish three-masted vessel which sank during its voyage from Auckland to Liverpool. It lies on the ocean bed at the foot of a pontoon of a neighboring island hotel. The dive makes for not just an incredible day, but also an unforgettable night out.
The Teava Piti Pass
Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular drifts of the Leeward Islands. The pass is shadowed by a 10-meter plateau where both black and white tip sharks frequent. You’ll also see an abundance of other marine life including barracudas, jacks, leopard rays, dogtooth tunas, wrasse, and large groupers.
This sacred island is home to not only one of the best places to yacht, but also to see culturally significant sites that reflect its history.
Sailing
This is undoubtedly one of the top yachting locations in The Islands of Tahiti. Here you’ll find most charter companies and marinas. It’s home to a large number of moorings and bays set amongst the beauty of volcano craters and waterfalls. You’ll find nothing better than cruising the beautiful Leeward Islands.
Eco-heritage
Raiatea has been a natural source of interest for both scientists and nature lovers for its flora and fauna. Mt. Temehani is home to 30 endemic plants as well as the rare tiare ‘apetahi – a flower found nowhere else in the world. Its half-circle, white, delicate flower only blooms at dawn.
Cultural heritage
Unlock the history of the island with a visit to Marae Taputapuatea, which according to certain traditions is the beginnings of the population of the Polynesian triangle. It’s also been recently registered as a world heritage site of UNESCO.
GETTING HERE
If you’re visiting more than one island in The Islands of Tahiti then fly with Air Tahiti. It offers a multi-flight pass that saves you time and money.
Fly to Raiatea
Air Tahiti flies to Raiatea frequently from Papeete and Moorea. It also offers several daily 20-minute flights from Huahine and Bora Bora. Transport from the airport to the hotels should be booked by your preferred travel professional or your hotel.
Airport transfers and getting around
There are few taxis on Raiatea and Taha’a, but there is a public transit system called Le Truck, with daily routes from outlying villages to the main towns. The circle-island and its roads are best explored via a tour bus or by renting a car.
Boat transfers
To explore the lagoon or the private motu surrounding the islands, head out on a motorboat, sailboat, or outrigger canoe rental. Yachts ranging from 36 to 51 feet (11 to 16 meters) can also be chartered with or without captain and crew.
