The garden island of the Society Islands, Huahine rewards curious cruisers with the largest concentration of ancient Polynesian marae in French Polynesia, sacred freshwater eels, and a laid-back lagoon that Bora Bora used to be.
All cruise ships tender to the pier in Fare — the island's only town and your base for the day.
💡 Pro move: Huahine has no public transport. To reach Maeva marae, Faie village eels, or Avea Beach (Huahine Iti), you need a rental car, scooter, or pre-booked tour.
Huahine is a tender-only port — all ships anchor in the lagoon and shuttle passengers to the Fare waterfront pier.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (NCL, Oceania, Windstar, Paul Gauguin) | Fare village tender pier📍 | Tendered |
| Ponant & small expedition ships | Fare or Maroe Bay anchorage📍 | Tendered |
From ancient temples to sacred eels and motu picnics, Huahine punches well above its size for shore-day experiences.
Wander the largest concentration of ancient Polynesian stone temples in French Polynesia. The marae sit on the edge of the lagoon beside Lake Fauna Nui, and the small Fare Pote'e museum provides cultural context. Free to explore; museum has a small entry fee.
Find Huahine cultural tours →In the stream running through Faie village live enormous freshwater eels with striking icy-blue eyes, considered sacred by locals. You can watch and feed them for a few francs for a can of mackerel. One of the most unusual wildlife encounters in the Pacific.
Find Huahine island tour →Spend the day on a motorized outrigger canoe snorkeling crystal-clear coral gardens, feeding stingrays, and eating a traditional Polynesian lunch on a private motu with your feet in the water. Book well in advance — these sell out.
Find Huahine lagoon tours →Rent a scooter or small car and circuit the island independently — Maeva marae, Faie eels, the Belvedere lookout over Maroe Bay, and the stunning Avea Beach on Huahine Iti, all in one day. The road is well-marked and the whole loop takes about 3-4 hours.
Find Huahine car rentals →The postcard-perfect beach of Huahine — miles of powdery white sand, shallow turquoise water, and coconut palms on the southern tip of Huahine Iti. About 35 minutes by car from the tender pier. Combine with a stop at the Belvedere lookout.
Find Huahine beach tours →Reach a stilted structure in the middle of the lagoon by a short free boat ride from Faie. Learn how Tahitian black pearls are cultivated and browse unique lagoon-glazed pottery. No hard sell — buy only if you want.
Find Huahine pearl farm tours →Fare village is compact and fully walkable from the tender pier — beach, dining, market, and distillery are all within 10 minutes on foot.
From the tender pier, walk the main street past local shops, the Super U supermarket, and the colourful waterfront. Continue 5 minutes north to reach Fare Beach (Plage de Fare) — white sand with excellent views of the ship at anchor. Good snorkeling near the drop-off.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Walk from the tender pier to Distillerie Huahine Passion near the village centre for free tastings of pineapple, passion fruit, and ginger liqueurs. A great 20-minute detour before or after the beach.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Huahine Island, Society Islands, French Polynesia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 25 | 5:43 AM | 6:43 PM |
| Feb | 82°F / 28°C | 78°F / 26°C | 23 | 5:59 AM | 6:36 PM |
| Mar | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 22 | 6:07 AM | 6:18 PM |
| Apr | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 23 | 6:12 AM | 5:54 PM |
| May | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 21 | 6:20 AM | 5:40 PM |
| Jun | 80°F / 27°C | 77°F / 25°C | 17 | 6:30 AM | 5:38 PM |
| Jul | 79°F / 26°C | 77°F / 25°C | 17 | 6:33 AM | 5:46 PM |
| Aug | 78°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 15 | 6:22 AM | 5:55 PM |
| Sep | 78°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 17 | 5:59 AM | 5:59 PM |
| Oct | 79°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 18 | 5:35 AM | 6:03 PM |
| Nov | 80°F / 27°C | 77°F / 25°C | 21 | 5:21 AM | 6:15 PM |
| Dec | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 25 | 5:26 AM | 6:33 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Some cruise lines (e.g. Paul Gauguin) provide complimentary Le Truck shuttle from the tender pier to Fare, running roughly 8:30am–3:30pm. If your ship tenders directly into Fare, the village is steps away.
Taxis are available but scarce — pre-book through your cruise line or arrange at the pier. A short ride from the tender area to Fare runs around 600–1,000 XPF.
Several rental agencies in Fare offer scooters for independent island exploration. A popular and flexible option for covering both Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti.
Europcar and Avis operate on the island. An air-conditioned 4-door sedan lets you cover the full island at your own pace.
Bicycles available from Huahine Lagoon in Fare and other operators. Good for leisurely exploration close to town; the island has some hills.
Upcoming cruises that call at Huahine Island, Society Islands, French Polynesia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other cruise ports within about 250 km.