Motu Mahaea (Taha'a)

Taha'a is known as the "Vanilla Island" as it produces 70%-80% of the high-quality vanilla from French Polynesia and the island always has a fragrance of vanilla and hibiscus.  Taha'a does not get much tourist traffic and the majority of visitors head out to one the the motus or small islands in the lagoon.  We visit Motu Mahaea, a secluded islet with bright white sand and scattered coconut trees providing shade.  Surrounded by a blue-turquoise lagoon, the motu has great snorkeling, swimming, water sports, and relaxing on the beach.

Approaching Taha'a

Motus

Going ashore at Motu Mahaea

We spend a few hours swimming and wandering around the islet.

In the water

Looking back at Motu Mahaea from the water

Enjoying the beach

More play in the water

A storm rapidly approaches and sweeps over the motu, drenching us and then quickly moving on.

Passing storm

We circle the islet on the fine white sand, swim some more, and wander.

White sand

Clear water

Far too soon, our day of play comes to an end and it's time to head back to the ship.

Tiputa, Rangiroa

Rangiroa, also known as "The Endless Lagoon," is a string of coral encircling a luminous turquoise and jade-green lagoon known for being one of the world's greatest snorkeling destinations.  From the air, Rangiroa resembles a giant pearl necklace laid upon the water and is the second largest atoll in the world.  Consisting of about 415 motus, islets, and sandbars, Rangiroa fills a total land area of about 170 square km (65 square miles).

We enter the lagoon and visit Tiputa, a village located on the northern edge of the atoll, themost populous village of Rangiroa with about 900 inhabitants.  Our first stop is for a swim at the beach by the dock where our ship's tender drops us off

Approaching Tiputa

Rock sign in the water

Swimming on the nearby beach

Looking the other way to the Hotel Kia Ora

Beautiful, clear water

Market by the beach

The dock and our ship and tender

After our swim, we cross to the other side of the motu and hike up the road to see what we can find.

Crossing the atoll

Reaching the other side (minutes later)

We pass a few shops and restaurants and find our way to the port on the end of Tiputa.

Shops and restaurants

Entrance to the inner harbor

Local ferry

At the port

There's not much happening and we turn around and head back toward the dock where we can catch the tender back to the ship.  On the dock, we find that the group of youngsters who were swimming on the beach with us are now dancing on the dock.  As the ship leaves the inner lagoon, we pass by the port, road, and beaches where we just walked.

Past more great beaches and views

Crossing the motu

Dancing on the dock

Leaving Tiputa

Leaving the lagoon

After passing through the channel, the sun sets over the Pacific and we continue on to our next island.

As the sun sets