Raiatea is about 119 nautical miles northwest of Tahiti and is the second largest island of Society Islands. Raiatea shares the same barrier reef with Tahaa. While Tahaa lies in the north, Raiatea sits in the southern part of the coral rich barrier reef.
Uturoa is the chief town of Raiatea. Just like the rest of the islands of French Polynesia, Raitea is also a favorite stop over for cruise ships and luxury yachts. Uturoa is the main port in the island of Raiatea where shops, restaurants, bank and several commercial establishments are available. Specialty shops selling locally made souvenir items like handicrafts and arts are also found in Uturoa. High quality black pearls in which French Polynesia is most famous of are also sold in jewelry shops in Uturoa. During Sundays, Uturoa seems like a “ghost town” as all shops are closed for the entire day. But during weekdays, Uturoa is a busy little town. There are no beaches in Raiatea Island but instead, excellent and world class beaches are found in several tiny islands surrounding Raiatea. Raiatea is one of my favorite spots among the islands of French Polynesia. In Uturoa’s port where the M/S Paul Gauguin regularly docked, doing my favorite activity which is mountain hiking is so easy to carry out. From the pier or in the little town of Uturoa, the overlooking peak of Mount Tapioi is a thing that made this little port village so fascinating for me. The winding road going up seems perfect for a real hard heart pumping exercise. Getting up to the peak of this mountain normally would take around 45 minutes. The winding road up to the summit is extremely exhausting but once you get to the top, the breathtaking view is worth the climb.
Overlooking View of Uturoa
Breathtaking View from Mount Tapioi
Getting There: Raiatea has an airport with daily flights from Tahiti. The major seaport of Raiatea is located in the small town of Uturoa. The port handles cruise ships, yachts and cargo ships.
Water Fun Actions: Water fun actions to enjoy in Raiatea include scuba diving, sailing, snorkeling, windsurfing, jet skiing, kite boarding or fly surfing and swimming. Tours and Activities: Glass bottom Boat tours, sunset cruise, island drive on 4 x 4 safaris, hiking and climbing, deep-sea fishing, eco and cultural excursions, camping, shark feeding, lagoon excursion, horseback riding and bicycle riding. Shops and Boutiques: In the little town of Uturoa, island handicrafts, souvenir shirts, shells and arts to name a few are available in souvenir shops and boutiques. French Polynesia is famous for quality pearls and in Uturoa, one can find black pearl and jewelry shops.
Restaurants: Most restaurants in Raiatea offer French and Tahitian style dishes. One can dine either in restaurant at various hotels and pensions or at stand-alone restaurants. Raiatea has more choices of restaurants compared to Tahaa because Raiatea has more population than Tahaa. Rolling food trucks called “les roulottes” run by families are also available in Raiatea. “Les Roulottes” sales tasty local foods and is a favorite dining spot for many locals.
Uturoa is the chief town of Raiatea. Just like the rest of the islands of French Polynesia, Raitea is also a favorite stop over for cruise ships and luxury yachts. Uturoa is the main port in the island of Raiatea where shops, restaurants, bank and several commercial establishments are available. Specialty shops selling locally made souvenir items like handicrafts and arts are also found in Uturoa. High quality black pearls in which French Polynesia is most famous of are also sold in jewelry shops in Uturoa. During Sundays, Uturoa seems like a “ghost town” as all shops are closed for the entire day. But during weekdays, Uturoa is a busy little town. There are no beaches in Raiatea Island but instead, excellent and world class beaches are found in several tiny islands surrounding Raiatea.
Water Fun Actions:
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