Raiatea cultural tour: Fa'aroa River, marae & motu lunch

Navigate a navigable river, the only one in French Polynesia, then walk into Polynesian history at Taputapuatea.

A five-hour boat tour of Raiatea limited to 10 people, visiting the Fa'aroa River (French Polynesia's only navigable river), a botanical garden, the UNESCO-listed Taputapuatea Marae, and a motu island for lunch and swimming. The guide shares Polynesian stories and legends at each stop. Soft drinks are included. Lunch is served on the island. Weather can alter the river portion, and the tour requires moderate fitness.

The experience

The boat leaves the Uturoa wharf and crosses the Bay of Fa'aroa to reach the river itself: a narrow passage through wild vegetation that only this tour can navigate by boat. The ascent depends on tide and weather, but when conditions allow, you travel upstream past landscape most visitors never see. Once the boat docks at the river's end, the botanical garden is a short walk away, filled with local fruit plants and trees you can examine on foot.

The Taputapuatea Marae is the centerpiece: a UNESCO World Heritage site where your guide walks you through Polynesian history using the stories and legends tied to the place itself. After that, the boat carries you to a motu (a small island in the open water), where lunch is served and you can swim in the lagoon. The whole day runs five hours, and the group stays under ten people, which the operator built the tour around so the experience stays intimate and the boat itself stays comfortable and spacious.

Weather reshapes the itinerary: if heavy rain has fallen in the days before, the Fa'aroa River becomes impassable by boat and the program shifts to other stops. Bring a cap, water shoes for swimming, and a waterproof camera. Soft drinks (fruit juice and water) come with the tour. You'll need to arrange your own transport from your accommodation to the Uturoa wharf where the boat departs.

What’s included

• Boat transport to four stops (Fa'aroa River, botanical garden, Taputapuatea Marae, motu island).
• lunch on the motu.
• soft drinks throughout the day.
• English or French-speaking guide.
• swimming time in the lagoon.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

Live guideEnglish and French

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Revanui Excursions - Raiatea

Is this one for you?The tour departs from the Uturoa wharf, so you'll need to arrange transport there from your accommodation, but once you arrive, the boat handles everything else, including the river ascent and the island lunch, all in one five-hour loop. The small group of ten means the boat stays comfortable and the pace stays manageable for moderate fitness.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Fa'aroa River and why does it matter for this tour?

The Fa'aroa River is the only navigable river in French Polynesia, and this tour is the way to travel it by boat. The ascent depends on tide and weather conditions, but when it's passable, you see wild vegetation and landscape most visitors never reach.

What happens at the Taputapuatea Marae?

Taputapuatea Marae is a UNESCO World Heritage site where your guide shares the stories and legends of Polynesian people tied to the place. You walk through the site and learn its history directly from the guide.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is included and served on a motu: a small island surrounded by water. After eating, you can swim in the lagoon for the rest of the afternoon.

What should I bring, and what's provided?

Bring a cap, water shoes for swimming, and a waterproof camera. The tour provides soft drinks (fruit juice and water) throughout the day. You'll need to arrange your own transport to the Uturoa wharf where the boat departs.

Can the itinerary change, and if so, when?

Yes. If heavy rain has fallen in the days before the tour, the Fa'aroa River becomes impassable by boat and the program is revised to visit other stops instead. The guide will confirm the final itinerary based on weather conditions.