Raivavae
French Polynesia · Austral Islands · 20 m
Description
Raivavae is a green ridge of an island inside a wide turquoise lagoon in the Austral group, and it is the one visitors compare to Bora Bora before mass tourism reached it. Mount Hiro rises above four villages linked by a single coast road, and a chain of motu closes the reef, among them the sandbar known as the swimming-pool motu. Large stone tiki stand on the island, carved in a style found nowhere else in the territory. There are no hotels, only a handful of family guesthouses, and flights arrive a couple of times a week.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 3 to 7 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – November
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Motu Vaiamanu, the swimming-pool motu
- Mount Hiro summit hike
- Stone tiki of Raivavae
- Raivavae lagoon boat tour
- Rairua and Mahanatoa villages
- Island coast road by bicycle
- Lagoon snorkeling over the coral gardens
- Marae Pomaovao
- Motu Hotuatua and the outer reef
- Family guesthouses and home cooking
- Anatonu and the eastern bays
- Lagoon kayaking between the motu
Getting there
- Airports:
- RVV
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry