"Huahine" a Huahine Travel Page by Agraichen

A surprise awaied us as we sailed into the Huahine lagoon. Just as we thought the anchor would be lowered, the captain brought the ship about and slowly moved it into the dock area typically used by the ship tenders.

As there were no other ships due in that day, we'd been allowed to dock at the dock. With the shallow draft of the Windstar, we were able to forego the tender ritual and put all 420 feet of the ship "on shore."

Since we'd bicycled some of the island the last time, we opted to rend a car and drive both "islands, Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti. Rental rates are relatively standard in the islands - $60 US for 4-6 hours of use plus gas. We decided on "the big car," a Renault Cleo. I'm not certain what we would have gotten if we got the "small car" - probably a Fiat or Citroen, but I'm not certain I would really want to know.

Out of the town of Fare and along the western coastline we drove. At the entrance to the airport, the road forks to the right to takes you along the southern side of Lake Fauna Nui to the Town of Maeva.

The views of Mt. Tapu were just great. Heading south out of Maeva, the road leads around the northen side of Faie Bay; at the end of the bay a small bridge crosses the Vaiumete River which flows down from Mt Turi (669 meters).

Next to the bridge is a large tree growing at the edge of the river. This is the home of the Huahine "Blue-eyed" eels. A tourist pull out has convenient parking and a "snack store" which will conveniently will sell you canned fish to feed the eels.

If it's a slow day the shop owner will crawl into the stream and feed the eels for you. They appeared to be 6-10 feel long and up to a foot around but rumors of 20 foot critters are heard.

We continue our southern route toward Maroe Bay. At the southwest corner is a small bridge that leads to Huahine Iti. During low tide, the water is shallow enough to wade across.

Huahine Iti has fewer commercial enterpirses, but a more beautiful coastline with emerald green water (seems link the average color over here.) As we prodeed easterly on the southern shores of Maroe Bay, the first town is....Maroe.

The road continues to wind up, down and around tight corners. Still around evey corner the views seem to get better and better.

Mid-way along the easterly side is the next small town, Tafarerii. Just off the coast of Tafarerii is the Motu Murimahora, surrounded by...yep...beautiful emerald colored water.

At the southern tip of Huahine is a small archaeologicl site, the Marae Anini. Near the Marae is a camp ground which I was told was "reasonable" but no one knew the exact price; might be like the beachs near the airport - FREE.

Up the western side of the island we loop around Haapu Bay. The road goes right, but there is a small town, Haapu that is located to the left. One road in...the same road out...You can only turn around in someone's driveway.

Retracing our steps we're back to the main road to the find the bridge back to Huahine Nui. The road leads past the Te Tiare Beach Resort on Faauoo Bay, through the tiny village of Fitii and we're back in Fare.

Round trip with photo stops - 2 hours.

Since we landed on a Sunday, the town was "quiet." It's safe to say that although the sidewalks were not "rolled up" there was not much going on in town.

When i returned the rental car an hour early, the shopkeeper turned the sign to "closed."...

Next stop Bora Bora...