Stay: Vahine Private Island

Tahaa, French Polynesia

9 bungalows, from 740 usd

Perhaps this might be an unpopular opinion, but skip the influencer-dominated waters of Bora Bora in lieu of something far more off the beaten path in French Polynesia. Indeed, on a small island just off of the island of Tahaa, is Vahine. Yes, you'll have to fly to an island, then to another island, and then sail to an even smaller island to find this elusive escape. But once you're there, you're literally just about as isolated as you can get. Note the scent in the air: Tahaa is where the highly-sought-after Tahitian vanilla bean grows. (Take some home with you as a souvenir). A handful of over-water bungalows and see-through floors allow views into the dazzling reefs below. Beach suites have hammocks facing the sea. Rooms are fairly simple, unfussy, fitting with the context. Guests snorkel, kayak, or take island tours, and dine on French cuisine by candlelight at night. It's an ideal retreat for an off-the-beaten-path celebration in a chic destination. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Getting There: 

• Air Tahiti offers six to ten daily flights to Papeete (Tahiti) between 6am-7:30pm.
• Several flights a day on Air Tahiti serve as links from Raiatea to the other islands and vice versa: Bora Bora (10min), Papeete (40min) and Huahine (15min).
• Arrivals to Raiatea Airport are between 9am-3pm.
• Departures from Vahine Island are between 8am-3pm (leaving 2 hours before your inter-island flight).
• For flights outside these hours, you may need to spend a night on Raiatea (Vahine can advise on local hotels, or contact us before you book your ticket to discuss your travel plans).
• The hotel can organise a shuttle boat to pick you up at Raiatea Airport, if you advise them of your flight details - the captain will meet you in the arrivals hall and escort you to the waiting boat two minutes’ walk away. Just look out for the Vahine Island welcome panel.
• The trip to Vahine Island (which is 10km away), takes 35 minutes dependent on weather conditions.
• For your safety and comfort, the hotel doesn’t operate night transfers across the lagoon, so be sure to choose flights within daylight hours.
• Helicopter transfers are also available.

Vahine Private Island, Tahaa, French Polynesia

www.vahine-island.com

Photo source: Audley Travel, Venture Tahiti, Tahiti.com, Hotel Website

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