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Vanilla Island: Tahaa l’ile vanille

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How can two islands within the same lagoon be so different?  Taha’a, the vanilla island is small, serene and surrounded by motus (sand islets).  Whereas Raiatea is the second largest island in the Society Archipelago (just behind Tahiti).  Since we have yet to visit Raitea, we will focus on Tahaa as it is a gem of an island.

Life is slow on Tahaa, the vanilla island, which can sweep you away into the traditional and tranquil life of the Tahitians.  The soft mountains are surrounded by tiny motus with bright, white sandy beaches.  The island is about 33 square miles and is home to just over 5,000 inhabitants.  It is known as the vanilla island.

FAUNA OF TAHA’A

Taha’a has almost 4,000 plant species on the island.  However, only 950 are considered indigenous to the island.  Of the 950 indigenous plants, 50 came from the wind, 200 came by sea and 700 were brought by birds.  Europeans brought most of the imported flora and fauna.  Overall the island is incredibly lush and colorful with a variety of plants and flowers to admire.

Vahine Island

We went to Vahine Island after we left Taha’a.  This is a private island and did not offer much to see besides the resort.  But what it did offer was wifi out in the bay!  Yippie.

Hurepiti Bay

We left early the next morning and headed to Hurepiti Bay (pronounced “her-a-pee-tee”) where we could easily get to shore to do a tour.

This was a deep, muddy bay with lots of coral heads and reefs surrounding each edge.  We dropped our hook in 16 meters and dragged.  We picked up the hook, dropped again in 12 meters, and let out 80 meters of chain before stuck.

Sugar Shack in Huripiti Bay

Sugar Shack in Hurepiti Bay

We were invited to go on a tour with 3 other boats and this is the best place to catch the start of the tour.  We hailed the operator, Noah on the radio and he offered wifi and a brief tour of the property.

Approaching the Vanilla Tour Property from the bay:

Vanilla Tours of Taha'a in Hurepiti Bay

Vanilla Tours of Taha’a in Hurepiti Bay

Walk About to the Peninsula

We decided to take a walk around the property, up to the road, and around the bay.  The road was asphalt part of the way then turned into a dirt/grass road.  We did get some gorgeous views of the bay.

Scenic stops along the tour

Scenic stops along the tour

We also captured a few pretty sunset photos.

Breathtaking sunset photos

Breathtaking sunset photos

Back to the boat for sunset and dinner.  We are all excited about our tour tomorrow.

Sea Anenome in Coral Gardens, Tautau

Tautau and the Coral Gardens

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The maramu finally started to dissipate so we took advantage of the break in wind and made the short 30nm sail from Huahine to Tahaa.  Raiatea and Tahaa are enclosed in the same reef which has 10 passes.  We entered through the Toahotu Pass on the eastern side, went between Raiatea and Tahaa and up the western side to a motu called Tautau.  Imagine our surprise when we realized we anchored in front of the “coral gardens” one of the best snorkeling spots in French Polynesia.  The photos below show the beautiful pass entrance complete with lush, green hillsides, remote islands, and beachfront property.

Pass Entrance Between Raiatea and Tahaa

Pass Entrance Between Raiatea and Tahaa

We anchored in 10 meters of turquoise, clear water.  However, we ended up sitting in 2 meters of water by the time we let out scope.  We enjoyed watching a family of sting rays glide by under the boat.

Matt jumping out of the water behind the boat

Matt jumping out of the water behind the boat

Ile Tautau is “technically” a private island with a small hotel called “Tahaa Pearl Resort” complete with many thatched huts hovering over the water.

Tahaa Hotel Complete with Thatched Huts Over the Water

Tahaa Hotel Complete with Thatched Huts Over the Water

CORAL GARDENS

By sheer luck, we anchored in front of “ coral gardens ” which lies between the two motus (sandy spits).  We had not heard about the coral garden and certainly did not know where it was located – so lucky us!

GoogleMap of Coral Gardens

GoogleMap of Coral Gardens – photo courtesy of “Snorkeling Report“

The coral garden is the most renowned snorkeling spot of Tahaa. This crystal clear water channel, which separates two motus, is located in an idyllic setting in the middle of one of the largest lagoons of Polynesia. While let yourself drift over colorful and preserved corals, you will observe alternately school of butterfly fish, lion fish, brightly colored wrasse, clown fish huddled in their anemones and great giant clams sunbathing right under the surface of the sea.

Tautau anchorage in front of Coral Gardens

Tautau anchorage in front of Coral Gardens

Coral Gardens is the name of the cut between the two motus.  We ended up walking “sweetie” as it got pretty shallow.

It was pretty surprising how shallow the gardens are.  We jumped in at about 2 meters and began our swim.  As we continued up the cut, the depth varied between 2 meters to 2″ just below our bellies.

Coral Gardens Underwater Photos

Coral Gardens Underwater Photos

A healthy, red, soft sea anemone was busy cleaning several fish.  I watched the fish swim in and out of the sea anemone.  It was a beautiful dance together.

Coral Gardens Underwater Photos

Coral Gardens Underwater Photos

The fish were particularly curios and friendly coming right up to my mask as I hovered over their underwater home.

Coral Gardens Underwater Photos

Coral Gardens Underwater Photos

Save Coral Gardens

This true to life aquarium was magnificent to swim in – what a blessed opportunity we had exploring this oasis.  Typically this is a drift snorkel where the current carries you through the corals and down the channel.  However, the weather was screwy with us due to remnants of the maramu and we had no current – which was fabulous.  We could swim up and back at our own pace with no current.

Imagine my horror as I researched the history to learn that the years and public have been  hard on the environment.  The devastation has been exponential which is just heart breaking.

The tour companies bring tourists in by foot and they trample on the coral and sea life.  Plus some areas are so shallow you rub or touch the coral as you swim overhead.  Not sure how to remedy this other than to shut down certain areas.