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Raiatea Temple Photo Curtesy of Tahiti Tourism
According to Polynesian tradition Raiatea, formerly known as Havaiki, the "sacred island" was the first inhabited island and Hiro, a descendant of the creator god Taaroa and Oro was its first king, founder of the dynasty and the Taputapuatea marae at Opoa. The many legends that arise from mythology lend a mysterious and magic atmosphere to the various places of interest. Mt Temehani (772m), a sort of Polynesian Olympus and "fragrant paradise", where the strange and unique "Tiare apetahi" plant is found, watches over this island that is still untouched by the turbulence of modern life. Its mountain range divides the island from north to south. Its many waterfalls, the deep and narrow Faaroa Bay and its fertile valleys are equally attractive as its charming lagoon with its many islets.
 In the northern part of the same lagoon, the island of Tahaa according to legend was detached from Raiatea by a sacred eel possessed by the spirit of a princess. This island of soft mountain shapes and filigree coastline has been nicknamed "the vanilla island" because of its many vanilla plantations. The many motu with their stunning white sandy beaches and the turquoise-toned lagoon charm every visitor and cruise passenger.
The market at Uturoa, the commercial center and port of call for cruise liners, is loaded with produce of the land and the sea, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays, the market days. Nature smiles on these two islands whose high quality vanilla and copra is well-known, along with the variety and plentiful supply of its fruit and vegetables and the treasures of its underwater life.
The main companies for both charter and pleasure vessels have set up office here to ensure you of some magical boat trips.
Raiatea is the ancient cultural, religious and royal heart of Polynesia, Raiatea was, according to legend, the birthplace of the gods. From here the great canoes set out for Hawaii and New Zealand, entire tribes sailing off to colonize new shores. Long ago the people called the island Havai'i ("the homeland") and believed it was the place where spirits live on after death. And it is only here, on the slopes of sacred Mount Temehani, that one can glimpse the rare tiare apetahi, a flower found nowhere else on earth.
Raiatea is the second largest island in French Polynesia, situated 193 km. (120 miles) north-west of Tahiti. The population numbers 10063 and Uturoa, the principal village, is the Administrative Centre for the Leeward Society Islands.
The two sister islands of Raiatea and Taaha, separated by a narrow strait, but surrounded by a common barrier reef, lies over 18 miles to the west of Huahine. The town of Uturoa serves as the administrative center of the leeward Islands, the so called lles sous le Vent. The landscape is very similar to the other Society Islands, so the visitor can expect the usual elaborate and thick vegetation the valleys with numerous plantations and waterfalls. Raiatea's highest mountain, Mount Toomaru, rises to 3302 feet, the highest peaks of the much smaller Taaha never cross the 1900-foot mark.
Raiatea also has a significant historical background. It was known as the holy home ground Hawaiki to the ancestors of today's Polynesians, and served as the peoples political and religious center of the archipelago.
The 60-mile coastal road that circumnavigates the island leads to a slew of historical sites. The Marae Taputapuatea near Opoa is one of the main attractions for the visitors with an eye for archeology; a complex with a stately ground surface of 137 by 25 feet. Even if all that's left is a pair of stone platforms on the beach, the place exudes a feeling of mysterious magic.
For the Polynesian Maohi, ancestor of today's Tahitians, Raiatea was known as Sacred Havai'i, and was the centre of royalty, religion, culture, history and heraldry.
A partially paved road circles the island, winding through fertile valleys and wide flatland, past farms and orchards. There are several passes through the lagoon, which also encompasses the neigh-boring island of Tahaa. Because of ideal sailing and fishing conditions, Raiatea offers year-round charters and nautical activities.
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