Male canoe race in Raiatea, French PolynesiaMale canoe race in Raiatea, French Polynesia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raiatea_2008vaa3.jpg
Author: United144
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Raiatea is the second largest of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. It is located to the south of Taha'a and to the southeast of Bora Bora. A garland of coral reef surrounds Raiatea and its sister island Tahaa, with a narrow sea passage between them.

The port of Uturoa in RaiateaThe port of Uturoa in Raiatea
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raiatea_2008.JPG
Author: United144
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Covering 167.7 sq km (64.7 sq mi), Raiatea is the largest of the Leeward islands. With a population of 12,000 (2011 estimate), it is also the most populous. Unlike Bora Bora, Raiatea has not received as much tourist attention. There is a four star hotel with limited tourist infrastructure. Most of its people still depend on farming for their livelihood. In the sea around Raiatea, pearl farming is a major industry.

Visiting Raiatea

Aerial view of Raiatea, French PolynesiaAerial view of Raiatea, French Polynesia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raiatea_-_Vue_avion_%281%29.JPG
Author: Remi Jouan
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Sights & Attractions in Raiatea

  1. Uturoa
    The main port of Raiatea. Most of the people of Raiatea live here.

  2. Taputapuatea
    A commune on the eastern part of Raiatea. It is named after a large marae (Polynesian sacred site) which is still considered a religious center today. The Taputapuatea marae is a major sight in Raiatea.

  3. Tumaraa
    A commune on the western part of Raiatea.

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

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