Raiatea Island Travel
Raiatea Overview
Raiatea is an island in Tahiti. It is the administrative center of the Western Islands and so has some actual business working and going on. It is also the second largest island in the French Polynesia archipelago next to Tahiti itself. The climate of Raiatea is considered tropical and can be divided into two basic seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The best time for a holiday in Raiatea is during May to October.
Raiatea Main Attractions
Raiatea itself is recognized throughout Tahiti as its "Sacred Island"- the cultural heart of all Tahiti Polynesia. It is believed by historians that Raiatea was the main stopover point for early Polynesians newly arrived from Hawaii. If you had to choose one thing Raiatea is most famous for, you would have to say is its 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.
Raiatea is famous for the aromatic pleasures of Tahiti – Polynesia’s “Black Gold” – vanilla. Polynesian vanilla has the worldwide reputation as being the best that can be found. Raiatea grows almost all of French Polynesian vanilla together with its twin island the Taha’a. The plantations are interspersed throughout the lush green valleys, along with pineapple and coconut orchards. You might never want to miss this unique treasure of the island.
Raiatea Activities
Raiatea offers a lot of activities that you can even categorize them into five. Raiatea offers water sports, relaxations, adventures, island fun and recreations. They have a special section for scuba diving, sailing, snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, jet skiing, swimming and kite surfing in the crystal clear waters by the fine sand beaches. Relax on the offered bus, minivan and glass bottom boat tours and sunset cruises. Venture for some deep fishing, 4x4 safari road tripping, hiking and climbing.
Raiatea Accommodation & Dining
Depending on the kind of accommodations you desire, here in Raiatea you will find all the choices to suit your needs: plush lagoon side resorts, hidden guesthouses of the interior, quiet family pensions, places to stay if you're on a tight budget, or campgrounds of the islands. You can expect a great service from the personnel. The open-air ambience of the resort restaurants matches the relaxed feelings of the islands while capturing the magical tastes of the Polynesian, International, and French cuisines.
Raiatea Shopping & Nightlife
Raiatea’s hottest nightclubs make sure the atmosphere and the cuisine are both top notch. They serve strong drinks and have large dance floors with enough room to accommodate the large mass of visitors craving for a loud and exciting nightlife. Visit colorful markets in Raiatea to enjoy the fresh fish catches of the day and sample Polynesian foods and discover local treasures and great atmosphere. This classic daily bustling market will excite your taste buds with unusual fruits and delicious pastries, among many other goodies.
Getting To & Around Raiatea
Use the Air Tahiti Service from the Tahiti or another island to reach Raiatea. You will probably have short stops at Bora Bora, Moorea and some of the other islands depending upon cargo and fellow tourists.
