Spotlight on: Huahine
With her soft, curving silhouette rising from the sea, Huahine has long been compared to a pregnant woman lying in repose. Her name, often translated as “woman’s womb,” is a tribute to the enduring influence of women in the island’s story.
Indeed, Huahine was once ruled by queens, and even today, the mana, sacred lifeforce of women shapes the rhythm of daily life. In homes and communities, it is the women who create, organize, and uphold balance. It is no wonder that locals speak of Huahine as a place where ancestral feminine wisdom still flows.
Unlike the polished luxury of her more famous sisters, Huahine is humble, quiet, and wild.
Her charm lies in what she chooses not to flaunt. Visitors often say she reminds them of old Hawai‘i… untouched, untamed, and deeply authentic.
In her villages, simple homes bloom with colorful gardens. Ancient V-shaped fish traps still harvest the lagoon as they did centuries ago.
Sacred open-air temples – marae – emerge from the earth, holding the silence of forgotten chants and guiding ancestral spirits.
Huahine is two islands in one:
- Huahine Nui, the larger landmass
- Huahine Iti, the smaller sister
Connected by a single bridge, they form a whole, like the body and the soul.
Known affectionately as “The Garden Island” or “The Secret Island,” Huahine remains hidden from the crowds, revealing herself only to those who approach with humility and wonder.
Whether by canoe over glassy waters or hiking her emerald trails, Huahine invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and remember what the world felt like before the noise.
Photo credit: Tahiti Tourisme – Grégoire Le Bacon
