The Vanilla Island

Sharing the same lagoon as its bigger sister island of Raiatea, Taha’a is an unspoiled island that retains all of its authenticity. Located in the Leeward Islands 230 kilometers (143 miles) northwest of Papeete, the some 5,000 people living on Taha’a are thinly spread out among several villages, including Patio, the biggest. There is no airport on the island, which is linked to Raiatea by inter-island ferryboat. This particular feature has helped Taha’a maintain a calm and relaxing lifestyle that’s close to nature.

Known as the “Vanilla Island”, visits are possible to any one of the many vanilla plantations on Taha’a that account for 80% of the production of the aromatic plant in French Polynesia. Visitors may also discover the heart of valleys during hikes, enjoy gardens presenting a vast number of flowers and tropical fruits and visit Faaha Bay, the legendary birthplace of the Polynesian god Hiro dominated by three 500-meter (1,640-foot) mountain peaks.

Taha’a boasts one of the most beautiful lagoons in the Society Islands, offering a wide range of activities for nautical lovers—snorkeling in coral gardens, swimming, visiting a Tahitian cultured pearl farm and taking a picnic and enjoying a moment of complete relaxation on any one of several beautiful white sand beaches on the “motu”, islets, encircling the island.

Just follow your desires at your own pace. Whatever your stay is on Taha’a, the “Vanilla Island” will leave you with a sweet scent souvenir.