VAHINE ISLAND

Excellent "castaway" experience. Staff is super friendly and accommodating. Food was excellent. This is not your overly commercialized Bora Bora experience but if you want a quiet, peaceful experience in FP this is a great place to stay.

The name Vahine Island Spa and Resort suggests a sprawling luxury property, but in reality, this intimate retreat is set on a secluded motu spanning just shy of 25 acres (10 hectares). Located a 15-minute boat ride from Taha’a and about 35 minutes from the dock at Raiatea airport, its remoteness ensures peace, tranquility, and a sense of escape. The attentive staff takes care of every detail, making your stay as comfortable as it is serene.||Accommodations||Vahine offers just nine accommodations: three overwater bungalows, three beach bungalows, and three beach suites. The beach lodgings offer the most privacy, thanks to the natural barriers of trees, bushes, and generous spacing between units. I stayed in the last beach suite and often felt as if I had the island to myself.||The construction and decor reflect authentic Polynesian craftsmanship, with intricate details that set Vahine apart from corporate resorts. Decorative moldings, made by pressing shells into plaster, line the walls. Bathroom mirrors are framed with artistic, abstract arrangements of found shells. Every corner of the resort reveals thoughtful, handcrafted touches—evidence of an owner intent on preserving authenticity rather than replicating a standardized aesthetic.||A Digital Detox—But Not Entirely||Vahine is designed for relaxation, and in keeping with that philosophy, there are no televisions on the island. However, the WiFi is excellent for those who need to stay connected.||Dining Experience||With a maximum of 18 guests (only six during my stay), Vahine has a single restaurant. Half-board (breakfast and dinner) is mandatory, with lunch optional.||Breakfast follows a set structure: fresh juice, fresh fruit, Tahitian vanilla yogurt, breads and pastries, cereals, eggs, pancakes, and hot beverages. The staff assumes everyone wants juice, fruit, and yogurt, and guests can choose additional items. The homemade yogurt is particularly exceptional. Coffee drinkers should request coconut milk—it’s unlike anything I’ve had in the U.S.||Dinner is a three-course set menu, presented each morning at breakfast. Guests can accept the menu as is or request modifications. While I never objected to the main courses, I did ask for fewer potatoes after my first two dinners included white potatoes, sweet potatoes (both sliced and mashed), taro, and breadfruit—more starch than I could eat. After my request, sides included bok choy and rice one night, spinach and rice another. Lettuce was unavailable during my stay, so greens may be limited.||Protein lovers will appreciate the starters, which often feature seafood. I had tuna tartare multiple times, along with sliced raw mother-of-pearl clams and beef tataki. The main course was typically fish, though one night they served chicken and another duck.||Water & Sustainability||Each guest receives a small plastic bottle of water daily, but there’s no need to rely on bottled water—Vahine provides a filtered water station in the bar building. I hope they transition to a reusable glass bottle system, as many small hotels have done, to further reduce plastic waste.||Activities & Entertainment||If you prefer structured entertainment, Vahine may not be for you. Here, you create your own schedule. Upon arrival, guests receive an orientation to the available activities, including complimentary kayaks and canoes, as well as excursions (some free, some for a fee). Evenings are quiet, with no organized entertainment. Once dinner concludes, the island settles into a peaceful hush.||Snorkeling the Coral Garden||Vahine’s coral garden is spectacular but not for beginners. The reef flat has a strong current, so snorkeling here requires a guided excursion. The experience begins with a walk to the lagoon’s edge, where the ocean meets the reef. From there, the current carries snorkelers past vibrant coral formations and schools of fish. There’s no swimming against the current—if you miss something, you won’t be able to turn back.||All four of us on the guided snorkel ended up with minor coral cuts, as some areas are so shallow that avoiding contact is nearly impossible. While I enjoyed the drift snorkel, I also loved simply wading into the lagoon from my bungalow, where the crystal-clear water made it easy to spot baby sharks, giant clams, coral, and small fish. A painted moray eel had even taken up residence near the shore.||Unforgettable Moments||One of the highlights of my stay was a two-hour private sail on a pirogue—fast, splashy, and exhilarating. But just as memorable were the quieter moments: sitting on my beach villa’s porch, listening to the rhythmic waves, watching the clouds shift, and getting lost in a book. Pure bliss.||Final Thoughts||Vahine Island is an escape in the truest sense. It’s a place for those who cherish solitude, natural beauty, and unhurried days. If you crave nightlife and constant activity, it may not be the right fit. But if your idea of paradise is a private beach, a good book, and the whisper of the ocean, Vahine might be just what you’re looking for.

We have been coming back from the past 10 years. This is true French Polynesia at its finest. best place ever where to relax and rewind. The service is friendly, the food is fantastic. The beach bungalow are large and very comfortable. It’s true paradise on earth.

The island and overwater bungalow were beautiful. Service was not great. There were only 3 couples on the island and we were always feeling like we were a bother. Water is not included which is crazy when you are paying over $800 USD a night. Breakfast was nice. Only one choice for dinner. One glass of wine or a cocktail should be included in the dinner price. No hair conditioner so make sure you bring your own. Soap products were cheap. We were supposed to have a snorkel tour and they just said follow the sticks. The boards and other equipment was in rough shape and it looked like the large house had all the quality equipment with the bungalows having the leftovers. For the price we expected more of a top service experience.

My husband and I recently spent 4 nights at Vahine Island during our 3 week trip to French Polynesia. We stayed in one of the overwater bungalows and enjoyed it immensely. |Our entire experience was phenomenal. During our boat ride from Uturoa, our driver slowed down to point out sharks and rays in the water. Our lunch order was taken so that it would be ready when we arrived. There were lots of excursions available for an additional cost but these were not pushed on us. |We stayed in one of three overwater bungalows and loved being able to swim and snorkel right off our deck. We had our own snorkel gear but there was gear available for us to use if we had needed it. There were kayaks and paddle boards available as well.|The staff was always available but never intrusive. |The food was excellent. We were presented the dinner menu at breakfast and we could ask for small changes to suit our taste. |The small, intimate nature of this resort (3 overwater bungalows and 6 beach bungalows) suited our travel preferences perfectly. We loved our experience!