Raiatea, meaning "faraway heaven" and "sky with soft light", was first named Havai'i after the homeland of the ancient Polynesians and is the most sacred island in the South Pacific. This, the second largest Tahitian isle, was the center of religion and culture over 1000 years ago and still lends enchantment to ancient legends told to this day. The green-carpeted mountains include the celebrated Mt. Temehani, a sort of Polynesian Mt. Olympus.

The islands of Raiatea and Tahaa are both enclosed by the same coral reef, and may once have been a single island. Raiatea is both the largest and most populated island in the Leeward Islands, with a land area of 64.7 sq. miles and a total population of 12,024 inhabitants at the August 2007 census. Raiatea has a landscape of waterfalls, bays and fertile valleys with the highest point being Mount Temehani. Most of the beaches that are to be enjoyed on Raiatea take the form of deserted little outer lying islands known as Motus.

Upon Mt. Temehani on Raiatea lives the Tiare Apetahi, a flower so rare it can be grown no place else on earth. Each dawn the petals open with a slight crackling sound. Legends describe this as the sound of the broken heart of a common women who was not allowed to marry the son of the Tahitian king.

• Discovery of the sacred Mt. Temehani Plateau by foot, horseback, or 4x4 excursion.
• Exploration by canoe of the Faaroa River and to the ancient and sacred complex of the legendary Taputapuatea.
• Freedom of chartering a yacht in some of the most famous sailing waters in the world.
• Enchantment from the people and their villages while touring by bus.
• Adventure into the clear waters with day or night-time dives.
• Enjoyment of the ambience of the smaller resort atmosphere.