Hidden Island Spotlight: Huahine

What if I were to tell you that just a 30 minute plane ride from the island of Tahiti lies one of French Polynesia’s best kept secrets?  Nicknamed “The Garden of Eden,” Huahine is actually composed of two islands, Huahine Nui (“Big Huahine”) and Huahine Iti (“Little Huahine”), which are joined by a small bridge.  Surrounded by a protective coral reef, Huahine is outfitted with lush tropical forests, eight quaint villages, rustic and untamed landscape, and a pristine turquoise lagoon.

Relatively unaltered by the modern world, Huahine offers a taste of old-world Polynesia. Huahine’s especially fertile soil is conducive to its agricultural production, which includes a harvest of melons, vanilla, and bananas.  In fact, many discerning travelers seek out Huahine for the perfect combination of rusticity and breathtaking Tahitian beauty.

Popular activities among Huahine’s visitors include a Circle Island Tour (which includes visits to the island’s villages, historical sites, and scenic beaches), diving, visiting the blue-eyed eels of Faie, a visit to Fare Village (the largest town in Huahine, through which many excursions and adventures begin), and witnessing the Hawaiki Nui Va’a Canoe Race (which many consider to be the “Super Bowl” of canoe races.)

No matter what other islands you visit in Tahiti, Huahine is absolutely worth checking out.  You’ll leave with beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.