Raiatea

Raiatea is the second largest of the Society Islands, after Tahiti, and its main township is Uturoa. Raiatea is both the largest and most populous of the Leeward Islands, with a land area of 168km? and a total population of 12,200. Raiatea is considered one of the most sacred islands in the region: the remains of the sacred marae of Taputapuatea can be seen there. It is also appreciated for its mountainous landscapes which will satisfy the hikers. Underwater, the dives are not too difficult and will allow you to observe magnificent coral gardens and caves inhabited by sharks, barracudas and jacks. As for Tahaa, also called the vanilla island, it has a little more than 5200 inhabitants spread over 53km?. Smaller and more authentic than its sister island, it is the only Leeward Island without an airfield. Accessible only by sea, time seems to have stopped. Its mountains with lush vegetation dominate a lagoon with turquoise and transparent waters, from which emerge dozens of motus giving access to sumptuous coral gardens accessible by snorkeling. It is worth noting that the islands of Raiatea and Tahaa are surrounded by a single coral reef, which suggests that they were once a single island.