Huahine
The Ultimate Guide to Snorkeling in Huahine (Plus the Island's Best Dives)
Huahine, often called "The Authentic" or "The Woman Island," is a lush and peaceful destination in French Polynesia, located 170 km west of Tahiti. Unlike its more developed neighbors, Huahine maintains a tranquil charm, free from large hotels and crowded dive boats.
The name "Huahine" has a poetic origin deeply rooted in local legend. The literal translation of Huahine means "Women's sexual organ" (hua = vagina or sex, hine = plural of vahine). Seen from the port of Fare, the profile of Mount Tavaiura is said to resemble a woman's body, complete with a face, prominent breasts, the plump belly of a pregnant woman, and two knees.
Another legend tells of the god Hiro's canoe, which, during a great storm, sought refuge and was pushed by raging waves. The force of the boat is said to have split the island into two: Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti, creating the immense Maroe Bay. A small bridge now connects the two islands.
How to get to Huahine
You can take a flight which is about 40 mins from Tahiti. Or you can take a ferry which is about 3-4 hours from Tahiti. If you are doing island hopping, you can also hop to Huahine from Raiatea or some other islands in the Society Islands.
Snorkeling in Huahine
Huahine is great for snorkeling - you will miss out if you don't go to one of these snorkeling spots in Huahine. Here are our recommendations of the snorkeling sites
Abandoned Hotel Snorkeling Site: it's THE go-to snorkeling spot in Huahine. If you have time to go to only one spot, go to this one. Tourists and locals alike come to this white sand beach, which was once a private beach only for the guests in a luxury hotel (Sofitel), now open to be enjoyed by all. Kids can snorkel around the pylons near the beach, which was once part of the overwater bungalow but now a shelter for little creatures.
If you are more advanced, swim a little bit further across a channel that is about 6 meters deep and 6 meters wide to the other shallow side. The channel can have strong currents so be careful. Consider start your snorkel from the upper stream and let the current carry you down to the downstream for an exhilarating drift snorkel. There are lots of leopard rays in the channel.
Sofitel Coral Garden (Le Jardin de Corail): It's right next to the Abandoned Hotel Snorkeling site but a little bit north. When you enter the beach, you can walk or swim to the north where there is a coral garden. A popular location for a quick dip, this site is known for its resident clownfish population and giant clams. The seabed is covered with coral heads, and you can also spot small moray eels and pufferfish hiding in the crevices. The water is crystal clear here and the corals are very shallow. Little fishes swim around the corals - it's hard to imagine how beautiful it would look like when the corals here are more alive. If you swim towards the waves to deeper section you can see reef sharks.
Plage Hana Iti: This beach is a secluded beach famous for its romantic sunset. You have to hike a little bit to get there and that makes it always quiet and not crowded. You can just park your car or your scooter right next to the main road, and then you'll need to hike for about 40 mins to get to the beach. Or you can drive your car or your scooter into the dirt road to save you some footwork. Once starting to descend, it'll take you about 15 mins to walk to the beach, the trail is a bit wild so be careful. Once on the beach, you'll see some chickens hanging out there, which is quite interesting. Hana Iti was once also a hotel, which is now deserted because of a cyclone.
Avea Bay / Le Mahana Coral Garden: Located on Huahine Iti facing west, this spot is a favorite for its calm, white-sand beach and beautiful sunset. There is shallow sandbanks which extends for a long way into the ocean, making it great for the kids. Snorkel to the pier of the Mahana Hotel and explore the north part of the pier, where there are cities of clownfishes everywhere. Right under the pier you might encounter bait fish, pink whiprays and trevallies.
Motu Araara: This peaceful islet is another great spot for snorkeling, with healthy coral patches and a wide variety of colorful reef fish. You'll need a boat to get here. Snorkeling with sharks is also a popular activity. While it may sound intimidating, the blacktip reef sharks are generally small and well-accustomed to human presence. Many lagoon tours (like the Huahine Dream Tours) offer this unique and exciting experience in a safe and guided environment.
Scuba Diving in Huahine
Huahine's dive sites are less known than the dive sites in Fakarava, but still very cool. The most famous dive site is the Avapeihi Pass, which is known for sharks.
Avapeihi Pass: Considered one of the most beautiful dives in the Society Archipelago, this site is ideal for encountering large pelagic species. Divers can spot schools of gray sharks, white and black tip sharks, leopard rays, barracudas, and dogtooth tuna. The ever-changing currents and visibility make each dive a unique experience.
Fa'a Miti: This site, located in the north of the island, is characterized by a massive coral garden that slopes from 12m to 25m. It's a great place to see turtles, black tip sharks, and clownfish, and to explore canyons and overhangs where moray eels and lionfish reside.
Les Arches & Les Grottes: Reserved for more experienced divers, these sites feature a unique topography of naturally formed arches and large caves within the reef. You can find schools of barracudas, leopard rays, and moray eels, as well as a variety of macro life like nudibranchs and shrimps.
Le Plateau de Fare: Perfect for a first-time dive, this sandy plateau is located in the calm, sheltered lagoon at a depth of 2m to 6m. It provides an ideal and safe environment for new divers to discover the colorful fish and coral gardens of Huahine.
Where to stay in Huahine
You can go one of two ways when picking a spot to stay on Huahine: embrace the beautiful solitude of a remote hotel like Le Mahana, or prioritize the simple convenience of the main town, Fare.
Most of the beach resorts in Huahine are picture-perfect, offers a private bay that’s excellent for snorkeling, paddling a kayak, and watching the sun melt into the ocean. If your fantasy involves maximum tranquility and water sports right outside your bungalow, head south.
However, if you value practicality, Fare is your smartest base. This small village is the commercial heart of the island, containing the only supermarket, restaurants, and, critically, all the island's petrol stations. Since there's no public transport, you'll need to rent your own car or scooter, and you'll inevitably be heading back to Fare almost daily for gas or supplies. Staying in the center eliminates long, unnecessary trips and keeps you connected to the essential amenities.
Itinerary Recommendations in Huahine
Huahine has two islands, Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti, and they are connected by a bridge (the bridge itself has some beautiful view too). To loop the big island with a scooter, it takes about 1.5 hours, and to loop the small island, it takes about 1 hour.
So we recommend to spend one day looping around the big island, visit its look outs, and spend some time chilling at the abandoned hotel and its surroundings. Then another 2 days looping around the small island, one day walking to hana iti beach and enjoy the sunset, another day chilling at Avea Bay (eat or drink in one of the restaurants to access the beach) and Le Mahana Coral Garden for the sunset.