Welcome to Le Taha’a Island, FRENCH POLYNESIA.
In this blog post, we’ll cover EVERYTHING you need to know about Le Taha’a Island. We’ll go over accommodation, what to expect, how to get there, TOP things to do, etc. This guide contains everything for a first-timer’s visit to Le Taha’a Island!
Key Takeaways:
- Vanilla Island: Taha’a is known as “Vanilla Island” because of its many vanilla plantations, which contribute to over 80% of French Polynesia’s vanilla production.
- Luxurious Private Island Resort: Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa is a private island’s best luxury.
- Activities: The island offers a range of activities, including snorkeling and scuba diving in the lagoon, hiking in the lush forests, visiting a vanilla plantation, participating in traditional Polynesian spa treatments, etc.
Want to know what to expect from the best resort on the island? Check it out in the video below!
What island is Le Taha?
Le Taha’a Island is one of French Polynesia’s 14 Society Islands.
It is famous for its PRISTINE, turquoise waters and lagoon, untouched beaches, and rich natural landscapes (PERFECT for Instagram!).
The island, named after the local Tahaa vanilla because of the many vanilla plantations scattered across it, offers an authentic Polynesian experience.
The island is a HAVEN OF PEACE and a historic center that continues to witness the cultural legacy of the Polynesians.
It is less famous than most French Polynesian islands, such as Bora Bora, Maupiti, and Huahine, but it is also blessed with stunning views for taking Instagrammable pictures.
Staying connected to the internet is now possible with AIRALO’s TRAVEL E SIM. Wherever you are in the world, download the app and choose which country you want to have mobile data in. Then, you are ready to show the world your Instagrammable pictures!
Location
Le Taha’a Island is strategically positioned.
The famous island of Bora Bora is only 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the northwest, making it possible for you to go on a day trip by boat to Le Taha’a, since there is no airport on the island. On a good day, you can easily see Bora Bora from Taha’a Island.
Moreover, Le Taha’a is only 5 kilometers (just over 3 miles) west of Raiatea Island. This also allows for easy day trips to explore Raiatea’s cultural sites and beauty.
WHY you should GO!
- Authentic Tahitian vibes
- Turquoise water
- Amazing hikes across the island’s heart with killer views and perfect lunch spots
- Famous worldwide for having the best vanilla
- Epic diving spots around the lagoon
- Vogue and Lonely Planet recommend visiting the island
DID YOU KNOW: Tahaa, covering an area of 90 km2, is THREE TIMES LARGER than Bora Bora and is predominantly utilized for agricultural purposes. Experts widely acknowledge that the finest vanilla globally is cultivated in Tahaa, contributing to about 80% of French Polynesia’s total vanilla output. This distinction is why Tahaa is often affectionately referred to as Vanilla Island.
What to Expect
Taha’a Island is often missed by many tourists in French Polynesia. However, visiting the island will leave a deep impression on you! Especially Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa is something that you only see in Hollywood movies. But here, you get to experience where luxury meets natural beauty.
Here’s what you can expect from your stay:
- LUXURY Accommodations: Choose from overwater bungalows like, the Taha’a Overwater Suite. It offers direct access to the crystal-clear lagoon. Maybe you prefer beach villas providing private retreats, plunge pools, and a tropical garden with stunning views over the lagoon. This is all possible at our favorite luxury resort Le Taha’a Island Resort. Additionally, the pontoon overwater suite is a lavish accommodation option, perfect for travelers seeking an exclusive villa experience with breathtaking lagoon views. Read all about it below!
- Pristine Natural Environment: The island’s unspoiled beauty, from its white sandy beaches to the lush tropical forests, offers the perfect backdrop for relaxation and adventure.
- Food: Indulge in gourmet dining at the resort’s main restaurant, Le Hawaiki Nui, which is open for breakfast and dinner. Offering a wide selection of local and international specialties, the restaurant is set high up among the trees, providing restful views of the Taha’a lagoon and the property’s lush gardens. Enjoy the unique culinary adventure that incorporates fresh, local ingredients, including the famed Tahaa vanilla.
- World-Class Snorkeling and Diving: Explore amazing coral reefs teeming with marine life in the island’s lagoon, recognized for its exceptional underwater clarity. The Le Taha’a Island Resort even has a beautiful coral Garden you should visit! MORE INFO BELOW!
- Polynesian Culture: Immerse yourself in the local culture through traditional experiences, dance performances, and artisan crafts.
Before leaving, stop at Domaine Pari Pari, which specializes in rum, virgin oils for skin and hair, and spices—all produced with a low carbon footprint.
Now, let’s take a look at the BEST things to do on the island!
TOP Things To Do
1) Explore Lush Vanilla Plantations
Taha’a Island is famous for its vanilla plantations, largely due to its ideal climatic and soil conditions, which allow the VANILLA ORCHIDS to thrive.
The humid, warm, and fertile environment of this idyllic island promotes the growth of some of the highest quality vanilla beans IN THE WORLD, known for their rich flavor and aroma.
Taha’a’s vanilla, often referred to as “BLACK GOLD,” is a sought-after product that plays a crucial role in the local economy, with the island contributing to over 80% of French Polynesia’s vanilla production.
You can explore these aromatic and lush vanilla plantations to learn more about the process of pollinating vanilla orchids by hand, as well as the harvesting, curing, and drying processes that are essential in producing vanilla beans.
One notable plantation that welcomes visitors is the Vallee de la Vanille, where you can take a guided tour to see the vanilla cultivation process firsthand and purchase freshly cured vanilla beans to take home.
For more information, you can check their website at Vallee de la Vanille.
DID YOU KNOW: While Taha’a’s production scale is relatively small, it also yields PEARLS of exceptional quality. Test your fortune at the pearl farms located near the Vaitoere marina and another to the west of Patio.
2) Scuba Diving and Snorkeling on Taha’a Island
Next to Bora Bora’s turquoise lagoon, Taha’a Island is famous for its quality diving spots. They will not allow you to be disappointed! Let’s take a look at our top 5 spots.
1. Vaitoetoe Pass (Cold Water Pass)
The Vaitoetoe Pass, also known as Cold Water Pass, stands out for its cold-water upwellings, which bring nutrients from the deep, attracting much marine life. This site provides an excellent opportunity for both snorkeling and scuba diving.
What You Can See: Divers can expect to see a variety of fish that are drawn to the area by the cold currents. It’s not uncommon to spot large schools of BARRACUDA and the occasional SHARK in these nutrient-rich waters.
2. Coral Garden
This is not your ordinary snorkeling spot. Located between two islets on the Taha’a lagoon, the Coral Garden offers a DRIFT SNORKELING experience where you can float above an underwater kaleidoscope of coral and teeming fish life.
Why It’s Special: The currents carry you over the coral gardens, making it an effortless adventure through a vibrant underwater landscape.
3. Miripiti
Miripiti is a favorite among scuba divers. Miripiti is known for its clear waters and marine life.
What You Can See: Expect to encounter nurse SHARKS, lemon sharks, and an array of colorful REEF FISH.
Why It’s Special: The site’s unique topography of coral bommies and underwater valleys makes it an unforgettable dive.
4. Toahotu Pass
The Toahotu Pass is a famous spot for both divers and snorkelers.
What You Can See: The pass is a highway for fish, and if you’re lucky, MANTA RAYS.
Why It’s Special: The nutrient-rich currents attract a wide variety of marine life, making every visit different from the last.
5. Motu Tautau Reef
Next to the famous Le Taha’a Resort, this reef is accessible and offers an exceptional underwater experience.
What You Can See: The reef’s HEALTHY CORAL is home to an impressive diversity of fish, including clownfish, parrotfish, and sometimes even EAGLE RAYS.
Why It’s Special: Its closeness to the resort makes it a convenient option for a quick snorkel or dive.
3) Haamene
Haamene Bay is nestled deep in the heart of Taha’a Island. It is the largest and most impressive bay on the island.
This secluded bay is famous for its beauty and calm, crystal-clear waters, making it an ideal spot for kayaking and paddleboarding.
Haamene Bay is also home to Taha’a’s most celebrated dining experience, the Hibiscus Restaurant, the resort’s main restaurant. Here, you can enjoy exquisite local cuisine with breathtaking views of the bay.
The surrounding hills offer hiking trails that reward adventurers with panoramic vistas of the island and the ocean beyond.
INSIDER TIP: After diving, all hungry, there is only one place to be: Titiraina Restaurant. The restaurant is located directly on the beach. It is an outdoor restaurant where guests can enjoy a casual lunch with their feet in the sand. Specialties include colorful salads, grilled fish, and traditional poisson cru.
4) Traditional Polynesian Spa Treatments
Experiencing a traditional Polynesian spa treatment on Taha’a Island is not just about relaxation; it’s about connecting with the ancient Polynesian WAY OF LIFE.
These treatments are passed down through generations, and use the natural resources of the island, including coconut, tiare flowers, vanilla, and noni fruit, known for their therapeutic properties.
One of the most celebrated treatments includes the ‘MONOI’ OIL MASSAGE, which uses oil made from coconut extract and tiare flowers, believed to repair and moisturize the skin, leaving it silky smooth. We can definitely recommend the Monoi oil massage!
INSIDER TIP: Taha’a is one of the rare places where you may be lucky to witness a spectacular festival called “la peche au Caillou” (fishing by stone). The large stones are attached to cords and thrashed on the water’s surface to drive the fish into a trap.
Le Taha’a Island Resort
SPOILER ALERT: This is one of the best island resorts we have ever stayed at!
Le Taha’a Island Resort is situated on a PRIVATE island with nothing more than a white sand beach, an overwater bungalow, a tropical garden… Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts is the best LUXURY it can offer you!
It deserves a spot on our list of the best overwater bungalows in Bora Bora.
To give you an idea, our Premium Pool Beach Villa had a king bed, a single bed, and a separate lounge blended into the motu’s environment. All the beach villas open onto the white sand beach and the dazzling lagoon. We had a private plunge pool, a thatched roof cabana, and a tropical garden. Don’t forget about the direct access to the outdoor bathtub and shower!
Taha’a by Pearl Resorts offers you clear views over the lagoon and over the island.
You can book the luxury resort here using our widget! To book all our accommodations when we travel, we always use Booking.com, they have the best prices and very flexible cancellation policies depending on the accommodation you choose.
How To Get To Taha'a Island?
Reaching Le Taha'a is an adventure in itself. The journey typically starts with a flight to Tahiti, followed by a shorter connection to Bora Bora or Raiatea Airport.
From there, a boat transfer (Maupiti Express or a private boat transfer) or a helicopter ride will take you directly to the Le Taha'a resort, where your island getaway begins.
From Bora Bora, it takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes for the crossing. Keep in mind that most resorts offer private transport!
Let's take a deep dive into the Le Taha'a Island resort!
Best Time to Visit Taha'a Island
The optimal time to visit Le Taha'a Island Resort & Spa is during the SUMMER and SHOULDER SEASONS, which fall between May and October.
During these months, the island enjoys a perfect climate for exploring its natural and aquatic wonders.
Temperature: Average daytime temperatures hover around 26°C (79°F), with evenings slightly cooler, making it comfortable for both beach lounging and nighttime activities. The climate is warm without being oppressively hot, making it ideal for outdoor exploration.
- Water Temperature: The sea temperature is inviting, ranging from 26°C to 29°C (79°F to 84°F), perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and underwater activities. The warm waters enhance the experience of exploring the vibrant coral reefs and the marine life they support.
- Amount of Sunlight: Days are long and sunny, with daylight stretching for approximately 11 hours. The sun rises around 6 AM and sets close to 7 PM, providing ample daylight for excursions, whether it's hiking, kayaking, or simply enjoying the serene beaches.
- Rainfall: Precipitation is lower during these months, with occasional brief showers that cool the air and are usually followed by clear skies. The less frequent rainfalls contribute to the overall enjoyment of the island’s outdoor experiences.
Conclusion
Taha'a Island is a paradise for adventurers and nature enthusiasts.
This ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE will help make your trip to the island an unforgettable experience.
Plan your trip accordingly, enjoy the scenic views and luxury accommodations, practice safety precautions, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Let us know in the comments how your trip went!
FAQ
Do I need a visa to visit French Polynesia?
Visitors from most countries can enter French Polynesia visa-free for up to 90 days. Check the specific requirements for your country before traveling.
Are there medical facilities in Le Taha'a?
Le Taha'a has basic medical facilities (it has one pharmacy), but serious cases are handled in Tahiti. It's advised to have travel insurance that covers medical evacuation.
What currency is used in French Polynesia?
The currency used is the CFP franc (XPF). Credit cards are widely accepted, but having some cash on hand is recommended for smaller establishments.
What is the population of Taha A?
Approximately 5,000 people live in Taha'a currently (2024).
How do I get from Tahiti to Tahaa?
Air Tahiti has a domestic flight network and the fastest route for traveling between them. In just 45 minutes of flying on Tahiti Air Tahiti, you'll land at Raiatea Airport where you can take a boat ride to Taha'a island.
What is Tahaa known for?
Taha'a has also been nicknamed Vanilla Island. Its fertile soil produces the tastiest, most fragrant vanilla of all time. Moreover, it is also famous for its expensive Tahitian pearls.
What country is Taha in?
Taha'a is a French Polynesian island situated on the western group of islands, the Leeward Islands, of the Society Islands.
