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Raiatea, French Polynesia
Raiatea is known as the‘ Sacred Island’. This is the spiritual heartland of French Polynesia, the first island in the archipelago to be settled and the location of the Taputapuatea marae( temple). In precolonial times, this was a gathering place and religious centre for islanders from across the Pacific, including Hawaii, New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Visiting the 1,000-year-old marae today can be a powerful experience— the Taputapuatea area includes multiple stone structures and tiki, and is best visited with a local guide for deeper understanding.
Despite its spiritual importance and status as the second biggest of the Society Islands— French Polynesia’ s central chain— Raiatea feels laid-back. Traffic is light outside Uturoa, the main town, and the island itself is like a giant tropical garden, complete with waterfalls and towering peaks. Its only river, the Faaroa, is unique— the one navigable river in all of French Polynesia. Take a paddleboard or kayak tour and marvel at the vibrant surrounds.
Raiatea is also a hiker’ s paradise. The Mount Temehani hike, though long and difficult, is the most famous. Temehani Plateau, reaching above 3,000 feet, is home to around 30 endemic plants that grow nowhere else in the world. These include a remarkable white flower, known as the tiare apetahi, which has become an emblem of the island.
Off-island, Raiatea has an impressive lagoon which shelters both Raiatea and the neighbouring island of Tahaa. The lagoon offers some incredible scuba diving opportunities with clear waters and an abundance of marine life. The Nordby Shipwreck dive and the Teavapiti Pass drift dive are some of the best. images: alamy
From top: Dancers during Heiva dance festival in Raiatea, French Polynesia; hikers in Raiatea summer 2026 • 73