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Travel to Tikehau

 
 
Photo French Polynesia, Tuamotu Tikehau

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Tikehau, French Polynesia, Tuamotu

Tikehau is an old volcano that disappeared under water and is now an atoll (also called low island). Its fringing reef, which marks the extent of the former volcano, has a 17 mi diameter. The emerged islets, formed by an accumulation of coral, are planted with coconut trees, agohos and Indian almond trees. Superb and preserved, the atoll is reputed for its pink sand beaches and lagoon, which holds the most fish in Polynesia. You will be staying on Motu Tuherahera, where the airport is, in one of the dozen guesthouses on the island. That is unless you stay on Motu Aua, on the western end - this is where the island's only hotel is, the Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort.

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map French Polynesia

map French Polynesia

Visit Tikehau

  • To see

    Hina's Bell on Motu Tuherahera. If you are staying at one of the guesthouses on this motu, it is possible to get to it on foot or by cycling. This natural site is located on the ocean side. It is a lagoon framed by two columns of black rock.
    The village of Tuherahera, which stretches to the tip of the motu of the same name. It has 4 brightly-coloured churches and a public beach in the west.

    To do

    Hire a bike from the village of Tuherahera so that you can go all around the motu. From one end (airport side) to the other (public beach side), the road is 3 mi long and half of it is tarmacked. On the beach side you will find a coral track.
    It is also possible to request a drive around the motu from Laurina Natua, at the Panau Lagon guesthouse. This way, you will learn about the legends and history of this superb atoll. Tel: 00 689 96 22 99.

    To think about

    There aren't any banks or cash machines on the atoll. Make sure, therefore, that you have enough Pacific Francs in cash to cover all your expenses during your stay. There is no internet access either on Tikehau.
  • To avoid

    Beware, tap water is not suitable for drinking in Tikehau. You should therefore take this into account when planning your budget as you will have to buy bottled water (roughly ?1 a bottle at the village shop).

    To try

    Beside the guesthouses serving food and the Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort restaurant, there is only one little snack bar, open in the daytime at the village of Tuherahera. At any of these places, you can try local cuisine: Tahitian-style raw fish, mahi-mahi, ocean moonfish (locally known as 'saumon des dieux': salmon of gods) and poe for dessert (manioc cream with coco milk).

    To bring back

    There aren't any souvenir or handicraft shops for tourists in Tikehau, and that's a good thing! You will nonetheless find local produce such as tropical jams as well as bottled water at the food shop of Tuherahera, on the airport's motu.

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