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Customize a Sailing Tour...

Check out the Tane Cat!
Experience the magical shared lagoon of Raiatea and Tahaa onboard a 46 foot catamaran.

Snorkel, picnic on a motu, swim, relax, have a great day!

Choose from daysailing charters to multi-day experiences.

SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR ALL THE DETAILS.



 

Visit our special pearls section to learn all about French Polynesia's most famous little treasures: the enchanting BLACK PEARLS of TAHITI...

Or, follow the links below to buy them direct from our expert partners at Pearls of Joy.com.

Baroque Pearl Necklaces
Baroque Pearl Necklaces


Pearl Earrings

Pearl Earrings


Black Pearl Necklaces
Black Pearl Necklaces



Mens Jewelry
Men's pearl jewelry


From our pearly pages, you'll learn what to look for when choosing Tahitian black pearls, tips on caring for them, interesting pearl legends, history, facts, and much more.

tahiti black pearls

Learn about the Turtles...

There are certain attractions and activities on Raiatea & Tahaa that seem to merit a special listing, in addition to other categories we might have thought of on other pages.

These are unique only to Raiatea or Tahaa islands, and no where else in the world...

We dedicate this page as a tribute to their uniqueness.

TST makes sightseeing and island exploring options easy! If you want MORE choices, simply check out our other "WHAT TO SEE" pages: ARTISTS,CRAFTSMEN, & OTHER SPECIALISTS and GENERAL SIGHTSEEING & POINTS OF INTEREST.

Wan't more? Be sure and explore our "WHAT TO DO" section for even more activities, adventures, relaxation, shopping ideas and other things to do and see!



Archeological Wonders (featuring Taputaputea Marae)

Explore Raiatea’s numerous archaeological sites, including "Taputapuatea Marae", Tahiti - Polynesia's most significant, famous, and well preserved religious site.Sacred Taputapuatea, Raiatea

If you had to choose one thing Raiatea is most famous for, you would have to say is it's rich cultural and historical background. Raiatea is, simply put, an archaeologists dream. Peppered throughout the island are a number of legend filled temples, or "marae". These fascinating sites help to tell the stories from which legends are formed. (Please see our special section - Legend/History to find out more)

Ancient maraesThe information unearthed over the years from these sights help corroborate the locally held belief that Raiatea was a staging area for ancient Polynesian mariners.

To the ancient Polynesians, the island of Raiatea was known as sacred Havai'i, and was the center of royalty, religion, and culture. It's thought that the Polynesians who discovered and settled Hawaii embarked from Raiatea and named the new land after their home in French Polynesia.

Both Students of anthropology and average visitors will find hours of fascination, fact and fun at these sites.

There are several Tours with and without guides to aid you in finding out the details of these archaeological treasures. Most, it seems, concentrate on the most famous and important of them all- "Taputapuatea Marae".

JEEP SAFARI RAIATEA
Mr. and Mrs. Petero and Mirella MOU KAM TSE
P.O. Box 51 Uturoa- RAIATEA
Tel. (689) 66.15.73, Fax (689) 66.19.79

MANAVA EXCURSIONS
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Roselyne BROTHERSON
P.O. Box 559 Uturoa- RAIATEA
Tel. (689) 66.28.26, Fax (689) 66.16.66

ALMOST PARADISE TOURS
Mr. Bill KOLANS
P.O. Box 290 Uturoa- RAIATEA, Tel. (689) 66.23.64
Visit Taputapuatea marea with one of Raiatea's leading Polynesian historians for a fun and informative day.

WEST COAST CHARTERS
BP. 1109 Uturoa- 98735 RAIATEA
Marie and Tony, Tel./ Fax- (689) 66.45.39, Cell- (689) 79.28.78
Tour Tahaa's vanilla plantations and pearl farms. Also, snorkeling, visiting turtles, and circle island tour of Raiatea including Faaroa river tour, Taputapuatea marae, and visiting botanical gardens.


SEA TURTLE PRESERVE (Tahaa)Learn about the sea turtles of Tahaa...

The Islands comprising French Polynesia contain a large and diverse variety of sea life. There are many species of sea turtles throughout. Some of these turtle populations are threatened due to various environmental reasons, as is true with most of the world's sea turtles.

The Island of Tahaa has foreseen and not forsaken the beauty and importance of having healthy populations of turtles in and around its lagoons. Here you can visit a Turtle nature preserve and sanctuary and observe several species of Tahiti- Polynesia's turtles, living in their natural environment.

This is an important association and foundation for the preservation of marine turtles.

HIBISCUS FOUNDATION FOR PROTECTED TURTLE SPECIES
Hibiscus Hotel, Mr. Leo MOROU, P.O. Box 184 Haamene- TAHAA, Tel. (689) 65.61.06, Fax. (689) 65.65.65
Admission is Free



FAAROA RIVER (Raiatea)

The Faaroa River is Tahiti Polynesia's only navigable river. The river is quite magical and holds much fascinating Tahitian historical lore.

Faaroa River, Raiatea touringThe best modes of transportation for seeing the river is by powerboat or outrigger speed canoe. These exciting daytrips start off in the fjordlike inlet on Raiatea known as the Faaroa Gorge, and continue up the river until it becomes too shallow to navigate.

The river walls are steep and lush with jungle foliage. You may see different species of birds and many wild hibiscus "purau" trees interspersed throughout these cool rainforest cliffs.

The local guides will get your imagination running wild as you try and recall images of brave Maohi families departing westward in their canoes towards the great pacific expanse on their migratory voyages to settle New Zealand.

There are a few companies that specialize in Faaroa River tours.


TAHITI SUN TRAVEL RECOMMENDS:

Lagon Aventure

Explore the Faaroa River by kayakBased out of the Marina Apooiti -
(BP. 985 Uturoa- 98 735) - RAIATEA
Telephone/ Fax: (689) 66.34.45
Mobile: (689) 79.26.27
Contact: Mr. Hubert CLOT
E-MAIL & Reservations


Kayak up Raiatea's fabulous Faaroa River. We are the only company that regularly takes kayaking tours like this up the Faaroa River. A fantastic day of relaxing paddling and enjoying beautiful scenery while you learn about the fascinating history of Polynesia's only navigable river.

We are also local sailing experts offering various sailing options and courses in sailing instruction from beginners on up...

SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS AND INFORMATION!



AND THE REST OF THE LISTINGS:

MANAVA EXCURSIONS
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Roselyne BROTHERSON
P.O. Box 559- 98 735 Uturoa- RAIATEA, Tel. (689) 66.28.26, Fax (689) 66.16.66
Locally built 27 foot motorized outrigger canoe. Minimum 6, maximum 13 passengers. 1/2 day excursions up the Faaroa river and visiting Marae Taputapuatea, walking the reef, snorkeling, and full day excursions around Tahaa with multiple cultural presentations.

RAIATEA SAFARI TOURS
Mr. Michel DURAND / Mr. Michel CIXOUS
P.O. Box 272- 98 735 Uturoa- RAIATEA
Tel. (689) 66.37.10, Fax (689) 66.26.25
Motorized, 30 foot, motorized outrigger canoe. Maximum passengers- 24. Faaraoa river tours with snorkeling on a motu, and circle island Tahaa tours w/ snorkeling, visiting motus, etc.

FAAROA TOURS
Mrs. Noma WONG, P.O. Box 596- 98 735 Uturoa- RAIATEA,
Telephone/ Fax. (689) 66.32.70
3 - 36 foot motor outrigger canoes. Minimum 6, maximum 36 passengers each. 1/2 day excursions up the Faaraoa river, snorkeling and experiencing a motu. Also, full day excursions around Tahaa island upon request.

HINERANI TOURS
PO. Box 809-98 735 Uturoa- RAIATEA
Contact: Mr. & Mrs. Lysis and Heiariki TEROOATEA
Telephone/ Fax- (689) 66.25.75
Locally built 27 foot fiberglass motor outrigger canoe.
Minimum 2, maximum 11 passengers.
Full day lagoon excursions include navigating up the Faaroa River, snorkeling on a motu, fishing on the reefs, and stopping at the Taputapuatea marae.

TYRINA (WEST COAST CHARTERS)
PK 16, Tevaitoa, BP. 1109 Uturoa- 98735 RAIATEA, Contact:Marie and Tony TUCKER, Tel/ fax. (689) 66.45.39/ 79.28.78
Locally built 27 ft. unsinkable fiberglass motor boat, minimum 6, maximum 12 passengers.
Touring Tahaa's vanilla plantations and pearl farms, snorkeling, visiting turtles, motus, and circle island tours of Raiatea including Faaroa river tour, Taputapuatea marae & visiting botanical gardens.


UNIQUE ATTRACTIONS ON THE OTHER ISLANDS
There's lots of interesting things to see and do out there!
An Internetwork of Travel & Tourism Guides
for the Main Islands of Tahiti Polynesia.




 


An interactive bulletin board covering a diverse array of Tahitian subjects.

Ask questions, get advice, meet people, be crazy!

It's fun, easy, and informative!



Discover the
TAHITI OF
YESTERYEAR
Tahiti of Yesteryear
132 black and white photographs of Tahiti, Bora bora, Moorea, Huahine, and Taha'a in 1957

...BEFORE The Bounty movie, before the tour boats, before the commercialism...

Author signed, limited edition books are a Tahiti Sun Travel exclusive offer.




 


...with our EZ Print Internet Coupons for activities, lodging, car rentals, and many other things travelers (and locals) spend money on in French Polynesia.*
   
EZ print coupons SAVE YOU MONEY in TahitiRemember: French Polynesians don't "negotiate" or barter with their published prices...

These coupons are worth cold, hard cash!

*For a quick glance at our vendors, see our COUPON FINDER now!



 


Find out Who's Who and Where -
On the Tahiti Sun Travel Network.

Also, are they a Coupon Program participant?

We have many different linking members throughout our pages so far and are adding more regularly...

This handy quick reference saves time when you don't have time to explore the network. (Members are listed alphabetically and categorized per/ island site.)



Check out our online store for the most interesting Polynesian products on the planet.

Books, travel guides, maps, Polynesian music, videos, gifts, pareos, soaps, oils, lotions, perfumes & clothing are just a few of the items available.

If you sell Polynesian products: We'd like to sell your products in our store!

See the details here
and let's get something going...

We'll bring you the traffic, you sell the products!



 


(Oooooooooooolala)

The Society Islands are the perfect setting for the ultimate in romantic getaways for newlyweds or newly found romances.

Popular activities include Tahitian weddings and renewing wedding vows using interesting traditional Tahitian methods.

honeymooners on beach


Island Hop >>>   Tahiti & Papeete | Bora Bora Island | Huahine Island | Moorea Island | Raiatea & Tahaa | Tetiaroa | Tuamotu Islands