Tahaa and Raiatea are special: 2 islands surrounded by one barrier reef. The water of the lagoon is deep on most places so one can sail almost around both islands inside the reef. There is a beautifull shallow coral garden near motu TauTau at the west side of Tahaa so time for more snorkling.

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fierce breakers at the pass
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on both sides of the reef
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first impression? Baie Hurepiti opposite the pass looks a bit like the bay of Kotor in Montenegro!
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yess...the church as well....

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at anchor near the Tahaa Island resort on motu Tautau
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so...tell me... what did you for your holiday?....uuuuh, flew halfway around the world and rented a hut for $1000 per night

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this picture was posted on Navily by Albrecht
There is a constant current from the sea into the lagoon. Just leave your dinghy on anchor, walk over the motu to the ocean and then drift back as on the picture above.

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The 2 pictures above where taken by Nicolas when we snorkeled there.
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reef with Bora Bora in the background
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the 3 pictures above where posted on Navily by Brent
Summary: crystal clear water, healthy looking coral and many different species of colourfull reef fish

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the next 3 days wind rain and thunder predicted so we leave our exposed reef anchorage near the 'hut' hotel
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Past Ruutia in baie Hurepiti looks like a well sheltered place with land almost all the way around us
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ooops left too early and had to abort our plan to change island half way. Sooo much rain!

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Utuoa is the second largest city in French Polynesia with 12000 inhabitants

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anchored for a snorkel adventure near motus Ofetaro and motus Taoru
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a pair of motus line passe Teavapiti

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a walk to Hanamene bay on the east side of Tahaa
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so much fresh water on this island
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anchorage at Hanamene bay
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house on a motu, probably a pearl farm
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spectacular landscape at the end of Faaroa bay
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paddleboarding the Faaroa river

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no paddleboarding this time, the dinghy will do the work
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about a kilometer inland there is a jetty
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for a visit to the botanical garden
This botanical garden in a breathtaking setting has been restored in its former glory a few years ago and is very well maintained.
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huge Polynesian chestnut trees
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this is wild ginger the sign says
A very enjoyable visit and there is much more to do on Raiatea, see https://lesdeuxpiedsdehors.com/en/raiatea-island-french-polynesia/