Raivavae, South Pacific island in French Polynesia
Raivavae is an island in French Polynesia featuring a central lagoon surrounded by 28 small islets and protected by a coral reef barrier. The island is home to five villages that serve as the main settlements where residents live and work.
Polynesian settlers arrived centuries ago and developed agricultural methods and navigation techniques that shaped the island's development. These early communities established the foundations for the settlements that exist today.
The five villages here preserve traditional crafts like weaving and boat building that visitors can observe in daily village life. These skills remain central to how communities sustain themselves and express their identity on the island.
The island is accessible only by air, with limited flight connections that typically require stays of either two or seven nights. Plan your visit length according to these flight schedule constraints.
A mountain called Hiro rises about 440 meters above sea level as the island's highest point and features distinctive rock formations. From its summit, sweeping views reveal the entire island cluster and surrounding waters.
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