Tahaa - the Vanilla Island

Sharing a common lagoon with Raiatea and accessible only by boat, Taha'a produces about 80% of all vanilla in French Polynesia. Tahaa is the only island in the Society Islands that can be completely circled by boat inside the protected lagoon.

With its many deep bays and small deserted motus on the reef, Taha'a is an ideal island to escape the 20th century. Here you can explore the reef and discover the beauty of its multicolored lagoon, enjoy a picnic on a deserted motu, or go hiking in the mountains and through the vanilla plantations and learn the mystery of the vanilla orchid. With only a handful of guest houses and two hotels, Tahaa is slowly awakening to tourism and yet it still maintains an authentic flavor of Polynesia.

The newest hotel, the 5 Star Le Taha'a Privat Resort and Spa is located on a motu in the turquoise lagoon of Tahaa, 1/2 hour from the airport of Raiatea. This deluxe resort designed some of the largest and best appointed bungalows in French Polynesia in an idyllic setting overlooking Taha'a, with some of the overwater bungalows offering a romantic view of Bora Bora in the distance.

The intimate (9 bungalows) Vahine Island Resort is also on a small islet in the lagoon and was voted best "tropical hideaway" by Conde nast Traveler some years ago.

When the Polynesian explorers discovered the island we know today as Raiatea, they named it Havai after their legendary ancestral home. Second only to Tahiti in size, Raiatea today is the administrative and trading center of the Leeward Islands.

The main town of Uturoa is a sleepy little waterfront town reminiscent of Papeete from years past. Because there is large protected lagoon around Raiatea and her delightful sister island of Tahaa, the area has naturally become one of French Polynesia's best locations for sailing, deep sea fishing and scuba diving.