Some of the best Raiatea, French Polynesia travel activities include exploring Raiatea in its most natural form. Venture over its bright blue lagoon on a boat trip to find tiny islets ringed with sugar white sands and topped with palm trees, a prime place to laze the day away. Snorkel around coral gardens, and peek into reef crags to find eels, octopuses, anemones and their resident clown fish, reef sharks and stingrays.
Or, wander along Raiatea's largely untouched trails to botanical gardens, waterfalls that range from a roar to a trickle, and lookout points to see the Raiatea landscape in all its splendor.
Admiring one of the most revered ceremonial sites, Marae Taputapuatea, is also a must-do on a Raiatea, French Polynesia, vacation. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and meeting point for locals and modern seafarers.
Though it's one of the largest cities in French Polynesia, Raiatea's capital city of Uturoa embodies a relaxed way of life. Let your stomach lead the way around town and browse the market for ripe produce, grab a piping hot pastry from a brasserie or dig into a plate of seafood prepared from the catch of the day.