Huahine
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Huahine, nicknamed the “Garden of Eden,”
is located 110 miles northwest of Tahiti and is just a short plane ride
away. It is actually two islands, joined by a narrow isthmus and encircled
by a barrier reef. The magic of Huahine is felt instantly upon arrival,
and the proud people of this island do their best to make all visitors
feel welcome. (The main town is called Maeva – which means welcome
in Tahitian!) A 20-mile road winds through the island, passing through
small villages and climbing high into the hills to offer spectacular
views of the white sand beaches and brilliant turquoise lagoons.
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Restored Tahitian maraes (temples) and centuries-old
stone fish traps tell the story of an ancient culture whose proud descendants
still reside in this magnificent paradise. Huahine is an agricultural
island, rich with watermelons and cantaloupes. Vanilla, coffee and taro
plantations are plentiful, as are groves of breadfruit, mango, banana,
papaya and flowers. International surfing champions seek the massive
waves at Avamoa Pass, and the world’s largest outrigger canoe
race, the Hawaiki Nui Va’a, begins here each October. Huahine
is sparsely populated and visitors will fall in love with the remote,
unspoiled scenery and relaxed pace of this island.
