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Like
all Islands in French Polynesia, the dual Islands of HUAHINE-ITI & HUAHINE-NUI are a water lovers paradise!
SCUBA DIVING
| PACIFIC
BLUE ADVENTURE (DIVE CENTER) Located at the Fare Quay in Downtown Fare, (P.O. Box 193 Fare- HUAHINE) Contact: Mr. Didier FORGET Telephone- (689) 68.87.21, Fax- (689) 68.80.71 International CMAS - BEES 1- PADI Instructor. Examinations given: All CMAS and FFESSM certificates, diving school, exploration diving, diving for beginners or experienced divers. |
MANUTEA
VOILE & PLONGEE HAUHINE Based in Fare, Huahine, P.O. Box 625, 98731-Fare, HUAHINE Telephone/ Fax- (689) 72.07.67, Fax- (689) 68.84.65 Contact: Mr. & Mrs. Philippe and Marie ABECASSIS The Manutea is a 12 m, 1988 Gib Sea 372 master sloop sailboat specializing in cruising and SCUBA DIVING the Society island of Huahine. Outfitted with first class sailing gear and complete scuba gear including compressors, tanks, and Scubapro gear. 2 double bunks and 2 berths. |
Snorkeling
is possibly the overall favorite activity of all visitors arriving
to French Polynesia. This activity is not only relaxing, but also
exciting at the same time! Just about every place you
can dive, you can also snorkel, but without the burden of scuba equipment. It's a wonderful feeling of freedom. No wetsuits, no tanks, no weightbelts.
The waters of Huahine are crystal clear and
warm. The marine life is abundant and interesting.The lagoons' waters are excellent
for snorkeling because of the amazing combination of clear visibility and generally
calm conditions.
Many of the hotels and pensions on Huahine will
furnish you with snorkeling gear if you ask. (Some will charge a small fee for
the equipment.)
Also, the majority of boat charters
and sailing vessels you can charter will also be able to furnish you with
snorkeling equipment.
The Huahine Islands, along with
most of the other Society Islands, are a snorkeler's "wet dream".
| TST
Tip: Most of the snorkeling equipment you will encounter at the various hotels and guesthouses, etc, on Huahine has been used by many people before you. The masks may leak. The fins may be too big or small, hard, etc. This may or may not happen to you, but don't be surprised if it does... The Snorkeling opportunities are good enough on Huahine and all the other surrounding islands of Tahiti Polynesia that IT IS worthwhile to BRING YOUR OWN MASK, FINS, AND SNORKEL. They don't take that much room in your bag, and if you really enjoy snorkeling, you will be happy to have your own. |
Huahine has a reputation in the world as being one of Tahiti's surfing hotspots. That's because it is... Next to Tahiti, this island gets more surfers than any other island in French Polynesia. The reason for this is the waves and swell here is large, consistant, and simply awesome!
See our selection of ACTION SURF SHOTS ON HUAHINE, shot one overcast day way back in June 2002!
As it so happens, Huahine also seems to
suffer from a mild case of "surf rage"- that weird yet not uncommon
surf phenomenon of locals not welcoming foreign surfers to "their waves"... As any seasoned surfer knows, this isn't the only island in the world where
this occurs, but if you're not ready for it, (or you go into the waves with
a cocky attitude), you might be in for a nasty surprise on this island. These
guys take it seriously, so don't underestimate their jealousy!... (there are
some pretty gnarly stories on this subject best left untold...)
The
best local surfers on Huahine are known as "Black shorts", (it's the same on Raiatea), and
are true to their sport. They will surf with you only after you have proven
yourself to be their friends and loyal to the surf. (This often involves
consuming copious amounts of drink at the local bars with them and much
banter, handshaking, chest pounding, "surftalking", etc.)
After conferring
with the locals on our last trip, the TST network has decided to publish
only this general information regarding surfing Huahine: As with
all other surfing "hotspots" on the Tahitian islands, the best
breaks on Huahine are located at the passes between the lagoon and the open ocean. For now, our best advice to the avid surfer
looking for the surfing hotspots on Huahine is to get here and start talking
about surfing. Do this by meeting the locals on land if you can, and keep a good, unselfish spirit about yourself... you'll most likely end up making friends if you have a cool attitude. As any experienced surfer will
surely understand, this is the only true way to discover the best surf hotspots.
| TST
Tip: Venturing into the Huahine surfing hotspots and waves WITHOUT making surf friends or connections on this island isn't really recommended... |
A
fast, wet, and great way to experience the beautiful lagoon of Huahine island.
There a few outfitters on the island that can arrange an unforgettable day of jetskiing fun:
HUAHINE NAUTIQUE |
WINDSURFING
Most tourists and travelers who have never been to the Tahitian islands tend to think windsurfing is a really big activity in French Polynesia. Surely, they think, the chrystal blue waters and strong tradewinds would make for world class windsurfing possibilities?
It's true the winds and conditions are great, but interestingly, finding a good place to rent a windsurfer is more difficult than you might imagine...
Although some locals on Huahine are quite active in the sport, there is only one
place on the island that rents them out to visitors. (see the link below) On the other Society Islands, you may not be able to find ANY place to rent windsurfing equipment. The main reason for this is twofold:
1) All the Tahitian islands have numerous, strong, and unpredictable currents inside their lagoons as well as the open ocean.
2) There are a lot of beginners and non-experienced people thinking that windsurfing is easy to do (not true) and would be a great way to spend the day (true)...
BUT- apparently it's the COMBINATION of beginners learning how to ride and the unpredictable currents that make for a recipe most hotels and businesses don't want to deal with. High insurance rates and potential lawsuits make it problematic to the point that it's not worth it. Many more hotels and pensions USED to rent boards and sails in their past, but have slowly fazed out windsurfing as a rental activity.
That said, IF YOU KNOW HOW TO WINDSURF, and have your own equipment, don't let any of the above information stop you from bringing your setup... The overall wind conditions on Huahine ARE excellent.
The following place IS the place to rent a windsurfing setup on Huahine:
MARA' AMU Watersport Activities
BP 477 Parea - 98731 HUAHINE
Telephone/ fax- (689) 68 77 10 or Cellphone- (689) 78 90 69
Contact Person: Pierre Altier E-MAIL & Bookings
Windsurfing on Huahine is a dream come true. Turquise waters, steady winds, and surrounded by beauty on all sides. Lessons for the newbies or let Pierre show the seasoned radicals the sweet spots of the island!
SEE OUR DIRECT LINKING WEBPAGE FOR ALL THE DETAILS!
This is a really fun way to enjoy the clear warm waters of the lagoon! The neat thing about these kinds of kayaks is you can get as serious as you want about either excercising OR having fun... the choice is yours: paddle hard and get a killer shoulders and arm workout, or paddle easy and just check out the amazing scenery.
Huahine Lagoon rents them by the hour, day, or week.
HUAHINE LAGOON
B.P.281, Fare- HUAHINE, (Located at the Fare Wharf)
Telephone/ fax- (689)
68.87.57 (home),
or Telephone/ fax (work)- (689)68.70.00
Try a KAYAK for a fun day of exercise or exploration of the Huahine lagoon!
Rent by the hour, day, or week...
We also rent BICYCLES and MOTORIZED BOATS...
(no special licenses required)
Swimming in the Huahine lagoon is certainly one of the easiest, cheapest, safest, and most popular activities available to all visitors of all ages. The waters are warm and clear and inviting. Most people simply wander out from the shoreline and get their shorts wet, but if you have access to a boat, you can get closer to the reefs faster for snorkeling opportunities, if you desire.
The
one thing that's worth noting about swimming the lagoon is the currents. If
you're a big time swimmer and you go for distance, the farther away you get
from the shoreline, the more possibility you have of encountering a strong current.
Some of these can be VERY strong, so be aware and prepared. Ask locals about
the currents if you can...
Other
than the currents, there
are no other worries. There is no shark problem (in fact, no human related
swimming shark encounters on record in the history of the lagoon), or other
nasty sea creatures (with the exception of the occasional jellyfish), to
deal with.
SAILING
The exceptional sailing in Tahiti Polynesia
is legendary. Huahine offers sailors and yachtsmen wonderful places to explore.
Although not quite as sail friendly as the Raiatea and Tahaa lagoon, (due to slightly trickier and less numerous
passes), this island is certainly a world class sailing destination...
There is SO much information about the sailing opportunities on and around Huahine that we refer you to our: Special SAILING, CHARTER BOAT & MARINE section for details.
Huahine also has a special treat
not easy to find on the other islands: Hobie Cat Rentals!
MARA'
AMU Watersport Activities
BP
477 Parea - 98731 HUAHINE
Telephone/ fax- (689) 68 77 10 or Cellphone- (689) 78 90 69
Contact Person: Pierre Altier E-MAIL
& Bookings
Take a Hobie Cat Sailboat tour of Huahine with us or rent one and discover the
island on your own. (sailing experience is necessary). Turquise waters, steady
winds, and surrounded by beauty on all sides.
Sailing classes available. Rentals by the hour, half, or full day on Hobie 18
ft. Catamarans.
SEE OUR DIRECT LINKING
WEBPAGE FOR ALL THE DETAILS!
This is the hottest sport to hit any beach in
years! It's called kitesurfing, kiteboarding, or Flysurfing to the French, and
it's absolutely WILD!
Huahine is an amazing spot to kiteboard and if
you take your kites to the island you won't have any kite traffic.
There's only
about 4 regular kiters on the island!
MARA'
AMU Watersport Activities
BP 477 Parea - 98731 HUAHINE
Telephone/ fax- (689) 68 77 10 or Cellphone- (689) 78 90 69
Contact Person: Pierre Altier E-MAIL
& Bookings
Kiteboarding on Huahine is a dream come true. Turquise waters, steady winds, and
surrounded by beauty on all sides. Lessons for the newbies or let Pierre show
the radicals the sweet spots!
SEE OUR DIRECT LINKING
WEBPAGE FOR ALL THE DETAILS!
For more information on kiting in French Polynesia, check out TST's KiteTahiti website
Watersports on the Other Islands of
An Internetwork of Travel and Tourism Guides
for the Main Islands of Tahiti Polynesia
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