 
 Like
all Islands in French Polynesia, Raiatea & Tahaa are a water lovers paradise!
These two Islands are surrounded by a pristine
tropical ocean and share a wonderful lagoon in which a great many watersports
are available for your enjoyment.
Is it any wonder that many of Tahiti- Polynesia's
travelers come specifically for vacations with the warm and clear waters of the
South Seas on their minds?
World class scuba diving, snorkeling, and sailing
are the most popular on Raiatea, but there are numerous other watery activities also available
for your pleasure. Surf, swim, try out a waverunner, or see what kiteboarding
is all about.
This is your WATERSPORTS guide to Raiatea and
Tahaa!
SAILORS: DONT MISS OUR SPECIAL SAILING SECTION! |
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Wan't more? Be sure and explore our "WHAT
TO SEE" section for even more sightseeing and exploring ideas, touring,
island attractions, and other interesting things to see and do!
 SCUBA
DIVING
Perhaps
the most well know activity our "Polynesian sisters" are famous for (besides sailing),
is the world class Scubadiving.
Their shared lagoon, as are the outer reefs, packed with
an amazing diversity of pacific marine wildlife. (One can spend hours in the lagoon
simply snorkeling around.)
There are also a number of fascinating shipwrecks to
explore.
To get started, become informed by these local scuba
experts as they help you to discover the clear waters and treasures of Raiatea
and Tahaa.
ON RAIATEA,
TAHITI SUN TRAVEL
RECOMMENDS: |
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HEMISPHERE SUB PLONGEE (Scuba
shop/ outfitter)
Based in Apooiti Marina on the island of Raiatea,
(P.O. Box 985 Uturoa- RAIATEA), Telephone- (689) 66.12.49, Fax- (689) 66.28.63
E-MAIL
& Reservations
Come dive with Raiatea's most experienced Scuba pros! Let
us show you the best spots to dive on the island. We'll explore nearby wrecks,
see amazing coral and educate you on the local marine life of our fascinating
lagoon.
We'll also dive the fringes of the spectacular deepsea outside the lagoon, where
you'll see sharks, rays, and larger species of fish that will amaze you. Our expert
divemasters are certified and capable of teaching many levels of scuba knowledge.
Examples include CMAS, BEESS 1st level monitor, etc. Examinations given: BE, CMAS,
Autonomous diver.
AND
ANOTHER CHOICE:
TE
MARA NUI PLONGEE
Based out of Marina Uturoa- RAIATEA, Tel./ Fax-
(689) 66.11.88, or cell- (689) 72.60.19
Scuba diving and instruction. Beginner to advanced courses. Exporation,
day dives, night dives, and new divers. |
ON TAHAA,
TAHITI SUN TRAVEL
RECOMMENDS:
BLUE
NUI DIVE CENTER- TAHAA
Based out of the fabulous Tahaa Private Island & Spa
(PO. Box 67, 98 733 Patio- TAHAA)
Contact: Mr. Stephane HAMON E-MAIL
& Reservations
Telephone-(689) 65.67.78, Fax-(689) 60.84.00
Our full service scubadiving center on Tahaa wants to show you the underwater
magic of Tahaa and Raiatea.
We'll explore the wonders of the shared island lagoon
as well as the fabulous dives of the outer coral ring where we'll see sharks,
turtles, and lots of other amazing undersea life.
The award winning Blue Nui Dive Centers comprises 4 scuba centers in French
Polynesia: One on Bora
bora, two on the Tuamotu island atolls of Manihi
and Tikehau,
and this newest center on Tahaa. The staff is professional, english speaking,
and safety minded.
AND
ANOTHER CHOICE:
SHARK
DIVE POLYNESIA c/o Subaquatic Institute
Raai Bay, P.O. Box 60 Patio- 98733 -TAHAA, Mr. Bertil VENZO,
Telephone- (689) 65.65.55, Fax- (689) 65.65.60
Specializing in private scuba diving expeditions in Raiatea and Tahaa.
Best for groups of divers used to diving together. (maximum of 8 people).
Also, intro dives for beginners, all equipment included. International
CMAS, instructor FFESM- NAUI, Examinations given: CMAS and NAUI certificates. |
SNORKELING
Snorkeling
is quite possibly the overall favorite activity of all visitors arriving to
any island of French Polynesia.
This activity is not only relaxing, but also exciting at the same time! Just
about every place you can dive, you can also snorkel, but without the burden
of scuba equipment. Its a wonderful feeling of freedom.
Raiatea and Tahaa's shared lagoons' waters are
excellent for snorkeling because of the amazing combination of clear visibility
and generally calm conditions. The waters are crystal clear and warm. The
marine life is abundant and interesting. Simply put, these islands, along with
all of the other Society Islands, are a snorkeler's dream.
Just about all the hotels and guesthouses can furnish
you with snorkeling gear, but here is a list of places just the same:
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MANAVA EXCURSIONS
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and
Roselyne BROTHERSON
P.O. Box 559 Uturoa- RAIATEA
Tel. (689) 66.28.26
Fax (689) 66.16.66
ALL SAILBOAT
CHARTERS-
See list in Sailing section
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HIBISCUS HOTEL
P.O. Box 184, Haamene- TAHAA
Telephone- (689) 65.61.06
Fax- (689) 65.65.65
MARINA
ITI HOTEL
P.O. Box 888, Uturoa- Raiatea
Telephone- (689) 65.61.01
Fax- (689) 65.63.87
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Sunset Beach Motel Snorkeling |
TAHITI SUN
TRAVEL RECOMMENDS:
PK 2 , Apooiti Bay, P.O. Box 397, Uturoa-RAIATEA
Telephone- (689) 66.33.47 Fax- (689) 66.33.08
Contact: Mr. Moana BOUBEE
E-MAIL & Reservations
We have some of the best snorkeling available on Raiatea. Snorkel the
clear waters off our dock or only yards away from our comfortable bungalows.
Accept Visa and Mastercard
WINDSURFING
Most tourists and travelers who have never been
to the Tahitian islands tend to believe windsurfing is a really big activity
in French Polynesia. Surely, they think, the chrystal blue waters and strong
tradewinds would make for world class windsurfing possibilities? Sadly, for
all you windsurfing enthusiasts out there, the truth of the matter is it's not
as common as you might imagine...
Although some locals on Raiatea and Tahaa are quite
active in the sport, you will rarely encounter a place that rents them out to
visitors. This is the same story on the other society islands too.
The main
reason for this is twofold:
1) All the Tahitian islands have numerous, strong, and unpredictable currents
inside their lagoons as well as the open ocean. This includes the giant lagoon
nearly surrounding Raiatea and Tahaa!
2) There are a lot of beginners and non-experienced
people thinking that windsurfing is easy to do and would be a great way to spend
the day...
True enough... BUT- apparently it's the COMBINATION of beginners
learning how to ride and the unpredictable currents that make for a recipe most
hotels and businesses don't want to deal with. High insurance rates and potential
lawsuits make it problematic to the point that it's not worth it. Many hotels
and pensions USED to rent boards and sails in their past, but have slowly fazed
out windsurfing as a rental activity.
IF YOU KNOW HOW TO WINDSURF, and have your own
equipment, don't let any of the above information stop you from bringing your
setup... The overall conditions on Raiatea and Tahaa are excellent. Talk
to the local pensions or hotels when you arrive to find out the best spots to
go for it!
On most days of the week, you'll find locals
ripping it up in front of the downtown Uturoa harbor and loving it! Some are
quite excellent and willing to give lessons, if you can make friends with them...
Last note on windsurfing: If anybody out there finds a good rental windsurfing
place on Raiatea or Tahaa, TST wants to know about it! Please share the
knowledge in an email, and we'll publish.
SURFING
Surfing
the outer coasts of Raiatea and Tahaa are excellent! After much conferring
with the locals on a past trip, the TST network has decided to publish
only this general information regarding surfing these islands: As with
all other surfing "hotspots" on the Tahitian islands, the best
breaks are located at the passes between the lagoon and the open ocean,
however, the particulars of these spots are kept as closely guarded secrets
by the locals.
The
best local surfers on Raiatea are known as "Black shorts" and
are true to their sport. They will surf with you only after you have proven
yourself to be their friends and loyal to the surf. (This often involves
consuming copious amounts of drink at the local bars with them and much
banter, handshaking, chest pounding, "surftalking", etc.)
For now, our best advice to the avid surfer
looking for surf secrets on Raiatea and Tahaa is to get here and start talking
about surfing. Surfing is popular amongst the locals, so hooking up
with some "surfy" looking individuals at a local bar or restaurant
may be your best bet. You may also want to adventure into the waters which
look most appealing and just give them a try. If you're in the water surfing,
and you present yourself in an open, friendly way to any approaching surfer,
you will most likely end up making friends. As any experienced surfer will
surely understand, that is the only true way to discover the hotspots for
these islands.
SAILING
The
exceptional sailing in Tahiti Polynesia is legendary. Because of it's sail friendly
lagoon, and close relation to Bora bora, Raiatea and Tahaa combined are considered
a world class yacht chartering center.
Both islands have many fantastic choices of sailing and boating charters, lagoon
excursions, and island discovery packages for just about every sailing or boating
activity you can dream of.
In fact, the world's largest sailboat charter
company, THE MOORINGS, recognized this and established a sailing base on Raiatea
many years ago. Since then, Raiatea and Tahaa have become the most important
sailing islands in all of French Polynesia.
There is so much information about the sailing
around these two islands that we decided to give it a section of its own.
Go
to our special SAILING, CHARTER BOAT & MARINE
section now for details.
JETSKIING
/ WAVERUNNERS
A
few businesses on the Islands of Raiatea and Tahaa have waverunners and Jetskis
available for rental or use them on guided tours of the surrounding Motus.
These watercraft are a super fun way of getting around the lagoon and exploring.
The guides are experts in the area, playful, knowledgeable, and know where to take you for the funest time.
(If you're staying at a hotel that rents jetskis, it will be difficult
to take them out of the lagoon without an accompanying guide, but it may be possible if you can convince them you are capable of handling them correctly and know basic nautical navigational skills).
One company that has waverunners
or Jetskis available for rent or guided tours is:
RAIATEA
JET CRUISING
Uturoa, RAIATEA, Contact: Mr. Christophe BARDOU, Telephone- (689) 66.32.33
Fax- (689) 66.10.55
2 types of jetski excursions include Faaroa river guided tours and Tahaa island tours including motu visits, coconut tasting, picnics.
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SWIMMING
(Lagoon)
Swimming the lagoon of Raiatea and
Tahaa is certainly one of the easiest, cheapest, safest, and most popular activities
available to all visitors of all ages. The waters are warm and clear and inviting.
Most people simply wander out from the shoreline and get their shorts wet, but
if you have access to a boat, you can get closer to the reefs faster for snorkeling
opportunities, if you desire.
The
one thing that's worth noting about swimming the lagoon is the currents.
If you're a big time swimmer and you go for distance, the farther away
you get from the shoreline, the more possibility you have of encountering
a strong current. Some of these can be VERY strong, so be aware and prepared.
Other
than the currents, there are no other worries. There is no shark problem (in fact, no human related
swimming shark encounters on record in the history of the lagoon), or other
nasty sea creatures (with the exception of the occasional jellyfish), to
deal with.
KITEBOARDING
(FLYSURFING)
The most radical new sport
to hit French Polynesia in the past 50 years has to be kiteboarding. The
french call it Flysurfing. It basically involves being pulled on a board
similiar to a surfboard with straps, by a powerful kite. Riders must master
the wind and the techniques of boardriding as they combine the two for incredibly
fast and intense rides. Huge air is possible... There are a few riders on
Raiatea getting into this sport, as it's popularity increases overall in
French Polynesia.
If you already are into kiteboarding and know
what's up, definately bring your board and kites to Raiatea!
The winds
here are excellent and dependable and there's more than one good spot to
go out from shore. The other cool thing is all the other kiteboarders in
the world haven't discovered the island yet, so you'll be able to fly without
too many other kites around you.
One person that you may see flying around
is Moana Boubee of the Sunset Beach Motel. He's a pretty excellent rider
and commonly seen nearby the marina when the winds pick up. Sorry, nobody is
giving lessons that we know of yet, but if you see Moana you can talk to him about the sport and
also check out our special KiteTahiti website for more info, conditions, etc.
WATERSPORTS
ON THE OTHER ISLANDS
Discover the WATERSPORT
activities on the other islands of
An Internetwork of Travel
and Tourism Guides for the Main Islands of Tahiti Polynesia.
