Quiet pass diving, coral gardens, and old Polynesia in the Leeward Islands
Updated Apr 21, 2026 • 32 sources
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Last updated: April 21, 2026 • 32 sources
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Overview
Huahine is the Society Islands at a slower pulse: small dive boats, uncrowded lagoon tours, archaeological sites, vanilla-scented valleys, and a reef system that rewards patient divers rather than checklist chasers. The diving is local, boat-based, and compact. Avapeihi Pass, Fitii, Fa'a Miti, and the Fare lagoon deliver gray reef sharks, blacktip sharks, jacks, barracuda, turtles, leopard rays, batfish, and macro life within short runs from Fare. Snorkelers get coral gardens, motu picnics, and protected lagoon water, while non-divers can spend days around Maeva's marae, the stone fish traps, Faie's sacred eels, Avea Beach, pearl farms, and 4x4 viewpoints. Plan Huahine as a land-based island stay, often paired with Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora, or Moorea, not as a liveaboard destination.
Dive sites are reached by local boats rather than large liveaboards. Pacific Blue Adventure lists closest sites under 10 minutes and farther sites under 30 minutes, which makes two-tank mornings and relaxed afternoons realistic.
Avapeihi and Fitii bring reef sharks, jacks, barracuda, napoleon wrasse, batfish, and rays into a Society Islands itinerary without needing a remote atoll transfer.
Coral gardens, Avea Bay, Fare lagoon, and boat-supported motu stops make Huahine a strong mixed group destination.
Maeva's marae, Fare Potee museum, working fish traps, Faie's sacred blue-eyed eels, vanilla stops, and island viewpoints give non-divers real depth.
Best time to go
May to October, with April and November as useful shoulders
Drier austral winter, lower humidity, comfortable land touring, and water around 27°C to 28°C.
Main caution: Warm, humid wet season with tropical showers, higher storm monitoring, and occasional high swell or transport disruption.