Essentials
- City
- Tikehau, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia
- Population
- Approximately 560
- Internet Speed
- Limited; 10-20 Mbps via Vini 4G or Starlink at high-end resorts like Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort
- Currency & Banking
- 100 CFP Franc (XPF) ≈ 0.91 USD. Fixed rate: 1 EUR = 119.33 XPF
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; rainwater collection is standard. Buy bottled Eau Royale (approx. 300 XPF/1.5L)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Vini or Vodafone French Polynesia; Vini has best coverage on atolls (Prepaid 2GB approx. 2,500 XPF)
- Banking for Expats
- No banks on island; very limited ATMs (often broken). Use Banque de Polynésie in Tahiti before arrival
- Accommodation
- Family-run pensions (guesthouses) and one luxury resort
- Cashless Friendly
- No; cash is essential at local snack bars and small pensions. Resorts accept Visa/MC
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options limited (approx. 12,000 XPF/night), mostly local bungalows
- Budget Accommodation
- Relais Royal Tikehau (approx. 15,000 XPF/night including half-board)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Tuherahera village (main motu) for proximity to shops and airport
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Motu Tiano area for seclusion, or near the village for the best chance of stable 4G signal
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None; Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort lobby is the most reliable work spot (Day pass approx. 5,000 XPF)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Snack Ohana; outdoor seating with decent 4G reception (Coffee approx. 500 XPF)
- Networking Events
- None; informal socialing happens at the airport wharf during supply ship arrivals
- Social Events for Expats
- Community Facebook group 'Petites Annonces Tikehau' for local meetups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; local transfers arranged by pensions (usually 1,000 XPF per person)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Pension Hotu (approx. 1,500 XPF/day for bicycles); no official scooter rentals
- Best Beach Nearby
- The Pink Sand Beaches (Les Sables Roses) at the eastern edge of the lagoon
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Tahiti (ATR 72/42 aircraft)
- Top International Airline
- Air Tahiti Nui (via Faaa International Airport, Papeete)
- Highway Access
- None; one paved loop road approximately 10km long in Tuherahera
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Tikehau Airport (TIH); small airstrip with daily flights to Tahiti
- Public Transport Passes
- Not available; transport is by foot, bike, or boat
- Regional Travel
- Air Tahiti multi-island passes (Tuamotu Pass approx. 450 EUR)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Infirmerie de Tikehau (Tuherahera) for basics; medical evacuations to Papeete for emergencies
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Tāvai Spa at Pearl Beach Resort (Massages starting at 12,000 XPF)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- None; outdoor activities like kayaking and swimming are the primary fitness options
- Laundry Services
- Self-service not available; arranged through guesthouses (approx. 1,500 XPF per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; no delivery services exist
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Poisson Cru au Lait de Coco (Raw fish with coconut milk, approx. 1,800 XPF)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Limited; Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort restaurant offers salads and pasta (approx. 2,800 XPF)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Village bakery (Boulangerie) for fresh pain au chocolat (approx. 150 XPF)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Magasin General (Village grocery store) for staples
- E-commerce/Online Store
- None; items are shipped from Tahiti via the 'Dauphin' cargo ship
- Grocery Delivery
- Shop in person at Tuherahera village stores
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Extremely quiet; sunset drinks at the Pearl Beach Resort bar are the only option
- Local Brewery
- Hinano Beer (Brewed in Tahiti, sold island-wide for approx. 400 XPF per can)
- Wine Bars
- None; wine selection limited to basic French labels at grocery stores
- Street Food Stalls
- Roulotte (food truck) occasional appearances near the wharf on weekends
- Popular International Cuisine
- French-Polynesian fusion at Pension Tikehau Village
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Bird Island (Motu Puarua); a sanctuary for red-footed boobies
- Museums & Art Venues
- None; the lagoon itself is the primary cultural 'gallery'
- Historical Sites
- Old bell tower in Tuherahera village
- Religious Sites
- The whitewashed Catholic Church in the main village
- Annual Events
- Heiva i Tahiti (July) - local dance and sport competitions in the village
- Cultural Districts
- Tuherahera Village cultural center
- Theater Venues
- None
- Local Markets
- Small craft stalls near the airport during flight times selling shell leis
- Music Scene
- Ukulele playing and singing at guesthouse dinners
- Street Art
- None
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes at Pension Relais Royal on making Poisson Cru
- Art Galleries
- None
- Historic Buildings
- Colonial-style remains of phosphate storage (minimalist)
- Local Heritage
- Traditional stone fish traps (Parcs à poissons) still in use in the lagoon
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Hina’s Bell (Cloche de Hina) - natural coral formations on the shore
- National Parks Nearby
- The entire lagoon is a Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Circumference road of Tuherahera (approx. 2 hours walking)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Tuheiava Pass (best for spotting dolphins and manta rays)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Motu Puarua (Bird Island)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Allowed on most uninhabited motus with guesthouse permission
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- OPT (Office des Postes et Télécommunications) in Tuherahera
- Tech Repair Services
- None available; must go to Papeete, Tahiti
- Table Tennis Spots
- Pension Aito Motu
- Language Classes
- None; French and Tahitian are spoken
- Libraries & Study Spots
- None; bring your own Kindle
- Community Centers
- Village Town Hall (Mairie)
- Gaming Lounges
- None
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in French Polynesia
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Land is rarely for sale to foreigners; Approx. 25M XPF ($220k) for small island plots
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A - Tikehau has no 'outside city' market; land is mostly hereditary
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 35M XPF ($315k) for a basic seaside bungalow and land
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 50M XPF ($450k) for developed property on main motu
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A
- Corporate Tax
- 25% to 27% (French Polynesia has its own tax autonomy)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for residents in specific local structures, otherwise 10-15%
- Tax System
- Territorial; no personal income tax for individuals in French Polynesia
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% (There is no personal income tax)
- VAT
- 13% (Standard rate for services); 5% or 16% for specific goods/luxury
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No, simplified local tax code
- Property Tax
- Applied on developed land, approx. 1% of rental value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 9% to 11% (Notary and registration fees)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% Personal Income Tax makes it highly attractive for remote earners