Raiatea & Tahaa islands have numerous places to shop, plenty of day to day services, and a great assortment of restaurants to dine in.

The majority of these "urban needs" are found in the population centers of both islands: Uturoa, the second largest population center in all of French Polynesia on Raiatea, and Patio, the small but charming village on Tahaa.

There are also numerous giftshops, restaurants, and small businesses along both island's encircling roads and at the various hotels and pensions.

Let this page be your starting guide to figuring out what's what, where to shop, what to buy, and what and where to eat.

TST makes choosing your favorite island activity easy! If you want MORE choices, simply check out our other "To Do" pages: WATERSPORTS, ISLAND FUN, ADVENTURES, RECREATION & GAMES, or RELAXATION.

Wan't more? Be sure and explore our "WHAT TO SEE" section for even more sightseeing and exploring ideas, touring information, island attractions, and other interesting things to see and do!

Lots of Shopping

Shop till you drop!

The best shopping for these islands is in the bustling little "city" of Uturoa, chocked full of stores, boutiques, and businesses.

Buy a fine piece of art, unique handycraft, or T-shirt. Pick up some food, get some fishing supplies, whatever...

Basic categories for shopping are as follows:

Art Galleries & Workshops

There are a few art galleries in Uturoa, Raiatea, but none to speak of on Tahaa. The galleries listed below offer a fine collection of arts and crafts from French Polynesia and around the world...

There is also an "Arts and Crafts Association" on Raiatea:

(For more artist related info and products, don't miss our ARTISTS, CRAFTSMEN, & OTHER SPECIALISTS section.)

Shops & Boutiques

More shopping for thousands of Polynesian goodies! Lots of interesting gift shops and boutiques featuring gift ideas like island handicrafts, clothing, shells, books, art, and more.

ON RAIATEA

ON TAHAA

General merchandise

Stores on the islands are found in Uturoa on Raiatea and Patio on Tahaa. From cleaning, plumbing, and building supplies to clothing, food, music, etc, etc., these stores are always full of locals.

Listings coming soon...

Black Pearls & Jewelry

The Black Pearls of French Polynesia are so famous and coveted that TST has dedicated a seperate shopping category for these amazing South seas' treasures. Well known for their quality and beauty, Tahiti and her surrounding islands are the leading black pearl exporters in the entire world.

There are a few Black pearl and jewelry shops located in downtown Uturoa, as well as some fine specialty pearl buying opportunities direct from the pearl farms of Tahaa! Here's some featured choices:

Specialty Shopping

Raiatea also has some interesting specialty shopping ideas. Here's a list of the best of them...

Various Services

Of course all inhabited islands of French Polynesia need basic services for day to day living. Examples range from health and personal care to travel and real estate agents and cybercafes, post offices, visitors bureaus, etc.

The more common "services" of Raiatea and Tahaa are found here:

Drug Store/ Pharmacy

Details coming soon...

Real Estate: See Tahiti Sun Travel's Real Estate section for Polynesian property and estate listings!

Visitors Bureaus

There is a visitors bureau on the island of Raiatea. Their mission is to service island visitors with information and general assistance regarding tourism of the islands of Raiatea and Tahaa, much the same way Tahiti Sun Travel does. (In fact, one of the previous presidents of the tourism bureau is a longtime linking customer! Moana Boubee of the Sunset Beach Motel)

If you need further clarifications of tourism material found in this site that we can't answer, TST recommends printing pages out of this site and showing it to this tourism bureau on the island!

Post Office

Details coming soon...

"Cyber Points" & Cafes

The cyber cafe "scene" on Raiatea and Tahaa is still pretty prehistoric, however, it's been getting better over the years. What most urbanites and travelers take for granted as "cyber cafes" really haven't existed on any Society Island other than Tahiti (in Papeete) until just recently. Instead, as the internet began to make its mark on these islands, "cyber points" began springing up in random places.

Basically, a society island "cyber point" is a no frills access point to the internet and little else. No ambiance or amenities offered. Many are located in the backs of shops or in some dark room, and have the slowest of slow computers... until recently... It now seems the cyber cafe bug has hit these islands like it has in every other developing country on earth and the whole scene is quickly improving.

(Finally), Raiatea actually has a GOOD place to get online and surf, check emails, etc. No coffees or cool music offered as yet in any of these places, but improvements look to be on the horizon.

TECHNI- ILES
PK1, Uturoa, RAIATEA, Telephone/ Fax- (689) 66.37.81
Located at the Europcar office and general store in front of the main ferry dock in downtown Uturoa. (Right next to the Moe Moea restaurant)
2 computers in a backroom with fan. No drinks. You can bring your own laptop. Dialup modem.

Restaurants & Eating

Raiatea has more choices of restaurants than Tahaa because of its larger population and the town of Uturoa... Dining locations can basically be divided between the restaurants at the various hotels and pensions, and private, non-hotel related dining.

Cuisine ranges from basic island staples like fruits and fish dishes to world class French and international cuisine, prepared by a variety of chefs, some imported directly from Paris!

As with all islands in Tahiti Polynesia, the food is usually delicious, but you may have to sample different restaurants before you find one that suits your taste and budget.

Local & French Cuisine

Understandably, many of the restaurants on Raiatea & Tahaa feature fine French and Tahitian style cooking techniques and dishes.

Tahiti Sun Travel Recommends:

Raiatea Lodge Hotel

BP 680- 98735, Uturoa- RAIATEA
Telephone (689) 66.20.00, Fax- (689) 66.20.02
E-MAIL & Reservations
Most major credit cards accepted

FEATURING: High-end, classy dining, with Raiatea's largest wine selection. Delicious French and Tahitian dishes served nightly.

We're on the "Sunset Side" of Raiatea so you can eat your meals or a drink as you enjoy the beautiful sunsets!

Please see our DIRECT LINKING WEBSITE for all the details.

And the rest of the listings...

INTERNATIONAL / ETHNIC

Here's a list of restaurants featuring international and ethnic cuisine:

'LES ROULOTTES

The family run, local food trucks on Raiatea are known as "les Roulettes" as they are on the other islands... This is a generic term meaning "rolling food trucks", and that's exactly what they are...

Many of the local people dine at these trucks or in their homes. The food is island food. Pure and simple. Economic and tasty, these are TST's favorite places to eat!

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