Cruises visiting Huahine, Society Islands (French Polynesia)
Points Of Interest
Fare
Fare is the main town on Huahine, consisting of a row
of stores, a wharf, and a swimming beach. Starting at
the Restaurant New Temarara, follow the promenade north
along the waterfront to the Fare Public Beach, which
runs along the west side of the main street. Bora Bora
lies in the distance. Shops are open Monday to Friday
from 8am to 5pm and Saturdays from 8:30am to noon, and
are closed Sundays. The Handicraft Center at the
village exit (south end) is also closed on Sundays.
Telephone booths are operated with local phone cards.
Rental car offices, restrooms, restaurants, shops, and
main facilities are across from the main street.
Heading north through town, the post office is on the
right.
Maeva
Located on the shores of Lake Fauna Nui, the village of
Maeva was the major cultural and religious center of
Huahine. More than 200 stone structures have been
discovered from the water’s edge to the overlooking
Matairea Hill. This outdoor museum contains over 40
marae (temples) and other archaeological sites built by
ancient chiefs, with a one-mile trail leading up
Matairea Hill. On the western edge of the area is Fare
Potee, a replica of the original 1925 communal meeting
house destroyed by a hurricane. On the lake and to the
east of Maeva are several old fish traps. When the tide
is high, fish swim into the traps and are caught as the
tide goes out.
Faie and Belvedere Lookout
Along the east coast about two miles south of Maeva is
the small village of Faie. Sacred blue-eyed eels live
in the river running under the bridge in the center of
town. They respond to feedings, and fish can be bought
for them at the red kiosk. Further along the road
heading south is the Belvedere Lookout on the slopes of
Mt. Turi.
Local Information
Population: 6,303 (2012)
Language: French, Tahitian
Currency: XPF
Scheduled Docking Location: Ship is anchored in the bay. Guests tender to flat wooden pier. There is no town or beach located on Maroe Bay.
Banks / ATMs: Fare: Open Mon–Fri, 07:45am to 11:30am and 1:30pm to 4pm. Closed Sat–Sun. All major CC accepted. Cash: Best to have local currency (XPF). US $ accepted but not everywhere. € not accepted.
Post Office: “OPT.” Fare: Open Mon–Thurs, 7am to 3pm. Fri, 7am to 2pm.
Transportation: From the pier, complimentary Le Truck shuttles run from 8:30am to 3pm to the main town of Fare. Approximately 20-minute ride.
Taxis:
Moe’s Taxi: +689 (40) 72-80-60
Enite’s Taxi: +689 (40) 68-82-37
Fares are about $8 from Fare to the airport, and over
$32 from Fare to the southern end of Huahine Iti (the
smaller of Huahine’s two main islands).
Rental Cars:
Avis, Fare or airport: +689 (40)
68-73-34
Europcar, Fare (across from post office) or
airport: +689 (40) 68-82-59
Church Services: Protestant Church in Maroe Bay starts at 10am. Catholic Church in Fare starts at 9am.
Port Agent Contact:
Office: +689 (40) 86-51-32
Mobile: +689 (87) 29-25-02
Speaking The Language…
FRENCH
Hello: Bonjour
Goodbye: Au revoir
Thank you: Merci
Excuse me: Excusez-moi
Please: S’il vous plaît
Yes: Oui
No: Non
Do you speak English?: Parlez-vous
anglais?
Can you help me?: Pouvez-vous
m’aider?
TAHITIAN
Hello: Ia Orana (yo-rah-nah)
Goodbye: Nana (nah-nah)
Thank you: Mauruuru (mah-roo-roo)
Please: No real word. “Na” softens
requests.
Yes: E (ay)
No: Aita (eye-tah)
Do you speak English?: Ua ite oe i te
parau Marite?
(oo-ah ee-tay oh-ay ee tay pah-rah-oo mah-ree-tay)
