Flights to Raiatea
Book your flight to Raiatea and discover the sacred island. Located in the Leeward Islands, and sharing the same lagoon with Tahaa, Raiatea is supposed to be the cultural and religious heartland of the ancient Polynesians, since it was from here that they set out to discover Hawai'i, New Zealand and Easter Island, which form the Polynesian Triangle, with Tahiti and her islands in the center.
This 238 km² high island boasts Polynesia's only navigable river, the Faaroa, where you can enjoy kayaking or stand-up paddling, surrounded by lush vegetation.
When you buy a ticket for Raiatea, you're leaving for a destination rich in prestigious sites and tourist activities or leisure activities. Start with a visit to the Taputapuatea marae, a major cultural and religious site in the eyes of the ancient Polynesians and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2017). Then head to the heart of the Botanical Garden to learn more about local plants. An unusual detour awaits you at the Mystery House Raiatea, with its leaning house and many wacky attractions.
During your stay on Raiatea, you'll have the opportunity to discover a unique, endemic flower found only on Mount Temehani: the Tiare Apetahi. During this mountain hike, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of the lagoon that unites the two islands of Raiatea and Tahaa. For the more adventurous, you can take a safari tour in a 4x4 vehicle, or rent quads to immerse yourself in the island's green valleys and mountains.
With our many flights to this destination, it's easy to find a cheap flight to Raiatea with an Air Tahiti air Pass and access lots of activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, jet-skiing, fishing and much more...
Flight Duration :
0h45
Distance :
219 km
Airport Code :
RFP
Practical information
Raiatea/Taha'a airport
The airport is located on the island of Raiatea, approximately 10 minutes by car from the main town of Uturoa.
Taxis await the arrival of flights at the airport and the accommodation usually have their own shuttles.
To get to Raiatea's sister island, Taha'a, in the same lagoon, a public shuttle service operates. Private transport providers (taxi boats) also offer their services.
Finally, some hotels and pensions themselves provide maritime transfers for their clients. If you have booked tourist accommodation, find out from your hosts whether they can organize your outward and return transfer.
Services available
- Air Tahiti agency
- Snack bar
- Art and craft exhibition
- Vehicle hire desk
- Taxis
- Taxi boats
- Telephone kiosk
- Toilets
Population : +12 800 inhabitants
Surface area : 91.89 sq. miles (238 km²)
Main village : Uturoa
Minimum flight duration : 0h45
Distance from Tahiti : 219 km
Raiatea used to be called Havai’i Nui in the past.
The “Tiare Apetahi”, endemic flower, only grows on the Mt Temehani and nowhere else in the world.
With its 92 sq miles, Raiatea is the French Polynesia fourth biggest island, after Tahiti, Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa (in the Marquesas Islands).
Raiatea is the only island having a navigable river, the Faaroa river.
In the lagoon of Raiatea lies the wreck of a Danish three masts, the “Nordby”that sank in 1900 ; it lies about 18 metres deep.
Mount Tefatoaiti (1017 m = 3,337 ft) is the highest peak of Raiatea.
Air Tahiti magazine
The good reasons to visit Raiatea
The good reasons to visit
- A well preserved spectacular environment : deep bays, waterfalls, vanilla plantations, the Faaroa River – only navigable river of French Polynesia – and the “Tiare Apetahi”, that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.
- Awesome “motu” (islets).
- A major cultural site, the "marae” of Taputapuatea, which according to certain traditions, may have been the starting point of the settlement within the Polynesian triangle (Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island). It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2017.
- The real sailing capital of the islands: optimal navigation conditions, many charters companies located around the bays.
- An underwater world where diversity reigns: coral gardens, caves, drift diving in the passes, exploration of the three masts Norby shipwreck that sank in 1900.
- Various inland and nautical activities.
Do not miss
- The Belvédère scenic viewpoint
- Petroglyphs of Fareatai valley
- The Temehani plateau (where the endemic flower and symbol of Raiatea, “Tiare Apetahi”, grows)
- Uturoa’s market
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