Bungalow Le Tikehau - Tahiti Tourisme © Lei Tao

SHORT BREAK

Four days in Tikehau

Tikehau, a haven of peace

Life is calm and peaceful in Tikehau, with the atmosphere of a small village. At the same time, there’s plenty of activities for you to do on its lagoon. In fact, you’ll be so occupied that your four-day break will be over before you know it.

©Sunset Tikehau - Tahiti Tourisme | Teriitua Maoni

Settle into the local rhythm by beginning your stay with a walk or bike ride to the main village of Tuherahera. Not a great deal happens here, but it will give you the chance to meet some of the locals who you’ll see chatting by the side of the road as they watch you go past. People here are very friendly and they’ll be more than pleased to share their opinions about what you should do during your stay. Continue down to the quayside, where you can’t miss the strong smell of coconuts coming from the virgin coconut oil factory. You can even pop in for a quick visit, if you like.You’ll be shown the process of transforming coconuts into oil and some of the products that are made from it. And it’s obviously the best place to purchase coconut oil if you’d like some for your skin or for your cooking.

When you’ve passed through the village, stop at the point. It really is a little corner of paradise. Separate from the rest of the lagoon, it’s a natural pool with its own magnificent beach, fringed by a circle of coconut trees. From here you’ll be able to admire the motu with their pink sandy beaches and it’s the perfect spot for an afternoon swim before appreciating the glorious colors of the setting sun.

Romantic Stroll on a Pink Sandy Beach - Tahiti Tourisme

Day 2

Underwater exploration
In search of Hina’s bell

After a calm beginning, things are about to liven up. Take an excursion with a diving center to see what lies beneath the smooth surface of Tikehau’s lagoon. A world rich in encounters of all kinds.Your first stop will be in the middle of the lagoon to admire the graceful ballet of the majestic manta rays. Then it’s off to Tuheiava pass, a magical place with several dive sites suitable for beginners as well as more experienced divers. The diving centers also offer special ‘baptisms’ for those who have never before dived among sharks, rays, sea turtles or Napoleonfish ! For those who prefer snorkeling, don’t worry. A mask and tuba are more than adequate for you to discover the wealth of life that lies under the waves at Tikehau.

Paddleboarding and Snorkeling in Tikehau - Tahiti Tourisme

Follow the morning on the lagoon with a stroll on the ocean beach. You’ll discover the immense blocks of dead coral that once formed part of the reef. Directly in front of you is the ocean, in all its mighty splendor. To the south of the atoll you’ll find the beach of la cloche de Hina, a natural pool formed by blocks of coral several meters high. Legend has it that this was the bathing place of Hina, a young girl held in such high esteem by the islanders that they made her their queen.

Day 3

One of the highlights of your stay, a day trip to the motu.

A day to get away from it all and visit a motu with a big white sandy beach. So leave your worries behind, because all you’ll need is some sun cream, a hat, a pareo and a swimming costume. Oh yes, and don’t forget your mask and tuba! You’re going to bird island, a small motu in the heart of the lagoon which is the favored nesting place of red-footed boobies and brown noddies. Lunch is a paumotu picnic (paumotu being paumotu for Tuamotu!) prepared by your guides who’ll recount the legends and myths of Tikehau over a poisson cru au lait de coco. The rest of the afternoon will be devoted to sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling on the motu with the pink sand.

Day 4

On the remote motuTueava at the entrance to Tikehau’s pass, fishermen’s village is an extraordinary place. Fishing is of prime importance in Tikehau and as you arrive you’ll discover the quay and the houses of the people who live and work on the motu. The day’s program is snorkeling; surfing; visiting the neighboring motu and swimming in the clearest waters you can imagine. Then the best fishermen alive will show you how it’s done, if you’d like to go out into the deep blue sea on a fishing trip with them. You’ll also see the traces of previous inhabitants of the motu who’d settled there after a cyclone had devastated the main village in 1906.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Detailed guide to Tikehau

Beach at Tikehau - Tahiti Tourisme © Tahiti Tourisme

What to do in Tikehau

Raw fish with coconut milk in a coconut bowl

Eating out in Tikehau

Tikehau Lagoon - Tahiti Tourisme © Tahiti Tourisme

Getting to Tikehau

Tikehau – practical information

Outrigger Canoe Tikehau - Tahiti Tourisme © Tahiti Tourisme

Activities in Tikehau

Bungalow in Tikehau - Tahiti Tourisme © Tahiti Tourisme

Where to stay in Tikehau