Huahine – French Polynesia’s Garden of Eden
French Polynesia islands are absolutely exquisite. Out of over 200 islands, a dozen stand out as the world’s most exotic travel destinations. One such island is Huahine. This South Pacific jewel is dubbed as the “Garden of Eden” for numerous reasons. We intend to explore each and every one of them!
First, what you need to know about Huahine is that it’s a gigantic tropical jungle that abounds in coconut plantations, banana grooves, and vanilla orchids. However, it won it’s “Garden of Eden” title thanks to its swaying coconut palm trees, crystal-clear waters, and breath-taking beaches. Indeed, this South Pacific island imposes itself as paradise on earth!
While most people would be sold on the incredible scenery alone, there are plenty of other reasons to escape to Huahine during your summer vacation. Jagged mountain peaks and azure lagoons aside, Huahine is an excellent choice thanks to the diversity of activities you can engage in! Besides working on your tan while lounging on picture-perfect beaches, you can dive with sharks, visit ancient temples or explore the local wildlife!
If you’re not really looking forward to spending a lot on a vacation in paradise, you could discover Huahine for free. As a house sitter or pet sitter, you’d receive free accommodation in exchange for taking care of a home and/or one or several pets.
Become a house sitter and discover a world where accommodation costs have just been reduced to nothing!
Huahine: South Pacific’s “Garden of Eden”
Huahine is located less than an hour’s flight from Tahiti and in relative proximity to other South Pacific gems such as Raiatea, Taha’a and Bora Bora. Named after the Tahitian word for woman “vahine”, Huahine presumably refers to a woman’s fertility. This makes sense when you take into consideration how lush the island is.
Part of the Leeward Group of Society Islands, this incredible island is – believe it or not – less frequented by tourists. Huahine is also geographically divided into two beautiful parts: Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti. A fringing coral reef with several islets surrounds the halves. This means that traveling from one part of the island to the other requires a boat. Nevertheless, this hasn’t stopped it from becoming a culturally preserved sanctuary that abounds in sacred temples scattered throughout its lush vegetation.
While Huahine’s geography is unique and scenic, its vegetation is other-worldly! This island is filled with sandy shores, lush hillsides, and even watermelon fields! Exotic flowers and animals thrive in an Edenic ecosystem that really makes you feel you’re on a different planet. The marine biodiversity is also outstanding, tourists being able to see rays, sharks, sea stars and colorful fish swimming through the crystal clear waters, only a dozen feet off the beach!
The Legend Of Huahine
Archaeology aficionado or not, you will want to explore the temple outside Maeve Village and listen to the stories of the island! Huahine is almost a mythical place where natural abundance mixes seamlessly with ancient history, creating captivating stories of times gone.
One such story is the myth of genesis. A long time ago, Huahine was the first island to be populated by humans. This makes Huahine the cradle of Polynesian culture. A strong testament to this claim lies in the existence of a large number of temples. Some of these temples date back to 700 AD, back when the Lapita people (ancestors of the Tahitians) walked the earth.
Things To Do On The Polynesian Island
Huahine is considerably less frequented by tourists due to the fact that world-famous islands Bora Bora and Tahiti dominate almost all of the tourism. Because of this, the locals give the tone of the island, who appreciate a quieter lifestyle. But don’t let this fool you! Huahine is a very active island!
Each and every morning, the main town of Fare awakens to a picturesque frenzy. This is because the locals and tourists start their day. You can hit the outdoor markets to buy fresh and organic produce or go to have breakfast at one of the waterfront pubs and restaurants.
Depending on the time of year you visit Huahine, you might stumble into one or two major festivals or races. For example, every year in October, the Hawaiki Nui Va’a takes place. It’s the largest canoe race in the South Pacific!
Among the most popular activities available on Huahine, the number one is snorkeling. Since the island is surrounded by an incredibly vibrant coral reef, it would be a shame to miss out on snorkeling. Be prepared, though: You will be amazed by the spectacular abundance of tropical marine life. What’s more, if you want, you can hire a guide. They can tell you all you need to know about the marine life you’re observing, and even teach you how to snorkel, in case it’s your first time!
Another great thing you can do while on vacation is hiking. Besides incredible stories and ancient temples, Huahine is a great island to hike! Grab a buddy and a guide and hike through the impressive pineapple plantations all the way through the tropical forest path. You will find amazing flowers and fascinating ruins along your way. Don’t forget to charge your smartphone all the way up! You’ll be taking a lot of selfies!
Of course, there are a lot of things you can do on Huahine. From sailing to diving, to aerial tours and ski jetting, the limit is your budget! Though, between us, Huahine really is beyond affordable – especially if you consider its exquisite beauty!
Final Thoughts
Undoubtedly, Huahine is a mystical and exotic island that will leave you craving for more! Once you set foot on its sandy beaches you will never want to leave! It will truly leave you spellbound! So, if you want to have an unforgettable summer getaway, start packing! The faster you get there, the sooner you can explore its lush landscapes and marvel at its beauty!
