Essentials
- City
- Huahine, Iles sous le Vent, French Polynesia
- Population
- 6,100
- Internet Speed
- Vini/Vodafone 4G/LTE (15-40 Mbps), Fiber available at select high-end rentals (up to 100 Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 110 XPF (fixed rate to Euro: 1 EUR = 119.33 XPF)
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy 1.5L bottles at Super U (120 XPF)
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Vini or Vodafone; available at Fare village (approx. 2,500 XPF for 5GB starter pack)
- Banking for Expats
- Banque de Tahiti, Banque de Polynésie (both in Fare); Revolut accepted at larger shops/resorts
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses (Pensions), Airbnb, and a few high-end resorts like Maitai Lapita Village
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; cards accepted at Super U and hotels, cash essential for snacks and small boats
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb Huahine (Average $120-$200/night for a full bungalow)
- Budget Accommodation
- Pension Chez Guynette in Fare (approx. 5,500 XPF per night for a dorm/small room)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Fare (northwest) for walking proximity to shops and beaches
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Fitii or Fare; close to the main town's infrastructure and the hospital/post office
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking; Hotel Maitai Lapita Village offers lobby access for patrons
- Best Cafe for Work
- Huahine Itinerant Market/Cafe in Fare (Open air, reliable 4G signal)
- Networking Events
- Organic; meeting people at the Huahine Yacht Club at sunset
- Social Events for Expats
- Community notice boards at Super U Fare or local Facebook groups like 'Annonces Huahine'
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; contact Taxi Huahine (Fare-based, approx. 1,500-2,500 XPF per trip)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Europcar Huahine or AVIS; Scooters approx. 5,000 XPF/day, Bicycles 1,500 XPF/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Avea Beach (South Huahine Iti) for white sand and clear lagoons
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Tahiti (regular flights from Papeete/Bora Bora)
- Top International Airline
- Air Tahiti Nui (via Faa'a International Airport, Papeete)
- Highway Access
- One main coastal road encircling Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Fare Quay (Le Quai de Fare) for boats and ferry arrivals
- Public Transport Passes
- None; 'Le Truck' public bus exists but is very infrequent and unscheduled
- Regional Travel
- Aremiti or Terevau Ferry from Papeete (approx. 4,000 XPF one way)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centre Médical de Huahine in Fare (Phone: +689 40 68 82 48)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Private sessions often organized at Royal Huahine or individual villas
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Outdoor activities (paddling/hiking) are standard; no formal commercial gyms
- Laundry Services
- Laverie Fare (Self-service or drop-off, approx. 1,200 XPF per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; local pickup at 'Roulottes' (food trucks) is the norm
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Poisson Cru au Lait de Coco (raw fish in coconut milk) at Roulotte Hans (1,500 XPF)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Chez Guynette (Fare) offers salads and veggie galettes
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Huahine Tropical Garden (famous vanilla ice cream and fruit jams)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super U Huahine in Fare; local market stalls at the quay every morning
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Limited; locals use Facebook Marketplace or order from mainland Tahiti
- Grocery Delivery
- Not officially available via app; some pensions offer shopping services
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Huahine Yacht Club (Happy Hour 5pm-6pm) - the social hub of the island
- Local Brewery
- Hinano (Tahiti-based, served everywhere for approx. 500 XPF per can)
- Wine Bars
- No dedicated wine bars; high-end French wine selection at Super U
- Street Food Stalls
- Roulottes at the Fare Quay (evening only; try Steak Frites or Poisson Cru)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pizza Huahine (wood-fired pizzas, approx. 1,800 XPF)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Fare Pote'e Museum and the Sacred Blue-Eyed Eels in Faie
- Museums & Art Venues
- Gallery 'Umatatea' for local shell jewelry and art by Melanie Du Prel
- Historical Sites
- Maeva Marae (ancient Polynesian temple complexes) - one of the largest in the islands
- Religious Sites
- Catholic Church of Fare (distinctive architecture and Sunday singing)
- Annual Events
- Hawaiki Nui Va'a (October/November) - the world's largest outrigger canoe race
- Cultural Districts
- Maeva Village (pre-European archaeological heart)
- Theater Venues
- No formal theaters; traditional Heiva dance performances in July
- Local Markets
- Fare Morning Market (Sundays at 5 AM for fresh pastries and reef fish)
- Music Scene
- Live ukulele and Polynesian bands at the Yacht Club on weekends
- Street Art
- Minimal; focus is on traditional wood carving and Tifaifai (quilts)
- Cooking Classes
- Huahine Tropical Garden offers informal vanilla and jam processing tours
- Art Galleries
- The island's main hotel lobbies display local pareos and carvings
- Historic Buildings
- Maeva Village Fare Pote'e reconstruction
- Local Heritage
- Ancient fish traps (V-shaped stones) still in use near Maeva
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The Huahine Lagoon (excellent snorkeling at the abandoned Sofitel site)
- National Parks Nearby
- No official National Parks, but the entire interior is lush jungle hiking land
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal road of Huahine Iti (approx. 30km loop with minimal traffic)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Belvedere Lookout (Panorama over Maroe Bay and Huahine Iti)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Interior hiking trails near Mount Tahuatane
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Restricted; allowed on private beach land with Pension permission
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- OPT (Office des Postes et Télécommunications) in Fare
- Tech Repair Services
- None; must go to Papeete, Tahiti for certified electronics repair
- Table Tennis Spots
- Occasional tables at local community halls or schools in Fare
- Language Classes
- Private French/Tahitian tutoring can be arranged via local school teachers
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Small public library in Fare (Bibliothèque de Huahine)
- Community Centers
- Mairie de Huahine (Town Hall) in Fare
- Gaming Lounges
- None
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling is strictly regulated/unavailable)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 450,000 XPF per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 18,000,000 XPF / $163,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 350,000 XPF per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 14,000,000 XPF / $127,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 400,000 XPF per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 24,000,000 XPF / $218,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 300,000 XPF per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 18,000,000 XPF / $163,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 380,000 XPF per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 30,400,000 XPF / $276,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 280,000 XPF per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 22,400,000 XPF / $203,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% - 28% (French Polynesian Territory tax laws apply)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% - 15% IRVM (Tax on income from movable assets)
- Tax System
- Territorial (No personal income tax for residents, but high social charges)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% (There is no personal income tax in French Polynesia for individuals)
- VAT
- 13% (Service), 5% (Goods/TPS)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None
- Property Tax
- Yes, 'Contribution Foncière' (based on rental value; approx. 10-15%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 7% - 9% (Registration fees and Notary costs)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% personal income tax makes it highly attractive if you can secure a long-stay visa