3 Best Sights in Huahine, French Polynesia

This is both the name of the motu and a great surfing beach at the southern tip of Huahine Iti. It's about 2 km (1 mi) south of the hotel Relais Mahana. Slow down when you see a sign for the archeological site of Marae Anini. Follow the road to the marae and there's the beach. It's a fantastic place for photos—the black basalt of the marae against the azure blue lagoon. The sand is coral and rocky. The surf is good here and you may see a few surfers out towards the reef. It's a quiet spot, which you just may have to yourself.

Just a few hundred yards north of Fare quay is a popular beach for locals and the few tourists who discover it. When driving along the main road (from the airport to Fare) turn off to the right near the Europcar rental agency and drive along an unpaved road for 100 yards. There's a stall selling drinks during the day, lots of yachts in the bay, kids playing, people snorkeling, and a distant view of Bora Bora.

This is truly a lovely beach and the inlet is dotted with a few boats at their moorings. It's a bit hard to find this beach, so ask directions at your hotel or the visitors' bureau in Fare.