Sunset Beach Raiatea
About this stay
Sunset Beach is a small lodging on the north-west coast of Raiatea, not far from the airport and Uturoa, the island's town. It offers beach bungalows on the lagoon, garden bungalows, a garden villa and a campground, so there is a choice of price levels in one place. As the name suggests, the beach is on the sunset side of the island, and the hosts can point guests to excursions around Raiatea. It suits couples, families and campers who want to be on the water without paying resort prices.
Good for
About Raiatea
Raiatea is the second-largest of the Society Islands and shares a single lagoon with its smaller neighbour Taha'a. In Polynesian tradition it is Havai'i, a homeland from which voyagers set out across the eastern Pacific, and it holds the region's most revered marae. It suits travellers interested in culture, sailors, and hikers, more than those looking for long beaches. Compared with Bora Bora, tourism is low-key and much of the island is farmland and forest.
Getting there
Raiatea's airport (RFP) is just outside Uturoa. Air Tahiti flies from Papeete in about 45 minutes and links Raiatea with Huahine, Bora Bora and Maupiti. Inter-island cargo ships call at Uturoa, and shuttle boats cross the lagoon to Taha'a.