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.
⚓ Tender port🕒 Typical call: 7-9 hrs💵 XPF / Credit cards in Fare🗣️ French & Tahitian🌿 Nature & history focus
Docking
Tender only — ships anchor off Fare, ~10 min boat ride
Walk to center
0 min — tender drops at Fare village waterfront
Best For
Ancient marae, sacred eels, lagoon tours, snorkeling, Avea Beach
Don't Miss
Blue-eyed eels at Faie stream & Maeva archaeological site
📄 Take this port with you
A printable port guide — key info, things to do & tips. Includes an editable “My Day in Port” box for your ship times & booked excursions.
All cruise ships tender to the pier in Fare — the island's only town and your base for the day.
Tendering to Fare
1
Collect your tender ticketThe ship will announce tender boarding. Collect a ticket early if you have independent plans; ship's excursion passengers board first.
2
10-minute ride to FareThe tender drops you right on the Fare waterfront. The main street, car rentals, and the beach are all within a 5-minute walk.
3
Get cash and transport sorted firstThere's an ATM in Fare. If you want to explore beyond the village, book a rental car or scooter in advance — supply is very limited. Taxis are scarce and expensive.
💡 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.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
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)
From ancient temples to sacred eels and motu picnics, Huahine punches well above its size for shore-day experiences.
History
Maeva Archaeological Site & Marae
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.
⏱ 1.5-2 hrs🚗 20 min drive from Fare🏛️ History & culture💲 Free to walk
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.
⏱ 30-45 min🚗 15 min drive from Fare🐍 Unique wildlife💲 Free (fish ~100 XPF)
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.
⏱ Full day🤿 Snorkeling included🍹 Lunch on the motu💲 ~$90-$140 USD pp
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.
⏱ 3-4 hrs self-guided🛵 Car or scooter rental🏖️ Multiple stops💲 ~$50-$80 USD rental
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.
⏱ 2-3 hrs🚗 35 min from Fare🏖️ Stunning beach💲 Free
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.
Fare village is compact and fully walkable from the tender pier — beach, dining, market, and distillery are all within 10 minutes on foot.
Fare Village & Beach Stroll
1 km · flat · 20-30 min
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.
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.
Climate 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)
Insider Tips
🚗
Book transport before you arrive. Huahine has no public buses. Rental cars and scooters are very limited — reserve your vehicle months ahead or you'll be stuck in Fare village all day.
💵
Bring some local cash (XPF). ATMs are in Fare, and most shops and restaurants accept Visa/Mastercard. But markets, roadside fruit stands, and the eel feeding area require small bills or coins.
🗓️
Sunday = almost everything is closed. If the ship docks on a Sunday, supermarkets close by noon and car rentals may be shut. Pre-booked tours and hotel restaurants typically still operate.
🦟
Insect repellent is essential. The lush jungle means mosquitoes and tiny biting sandflies (no-nos) are active, especially near streams and at dawn/dusk. Pack reef-safe bug spray.
🌊
Use reef-safe sunscreen. Huahine's lagoon is remarkably pristine. The local community actively protects it — regular chemical sunscreens are harmful to coral. Mineral-based reef-safe formulas only.
🍽️
Eat poisson cru at the Huahine Yacht Club. It's a 5-minute walk from the pier, right over the water. The fresh tuna marinated in lime and coconut milk is the definitive French Polynesian dish.
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ❌ Not available — use taxisNo Uber, Lyft, Grab, or Bolt in French Polynesia. Taxis and rentals only.🚍 Hop-on hop-off: ❌ No HOHO bus
🚢 Cruise Ship Shuttle (Le Truck)
Free (some lines)
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.
🚕 Taxi
~600–1,000 XPF (~–13 USD) short trip; 2,500+ XPF for longer rides
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.
🛵 Scooter Rental
From ~–80 USD/day
Several rental agencies in Fare offer scooters for independent island exploration. A popular and flexible option for covering both Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti.
🚗 Car Rental
~–150 USD/day
Europcar and Avis operate on the island. An air-conditioned 4-door sedan lets you cover the full island at your own pace.
🚲 Bicycle Rental
~–31 USD/day
Bicycles available from Huahine Lagoon in Fare and other operators. Good for leisurely exploration close to town; the island has some hills.
Cruises Calling Here
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.
