A Dreamy French Polynesian Island Offers Hidden Lagoons And Breathtaking Snorkeling

Perhaps no other place on the planet conjures up such clear images of sun, sand, palm trees, and breeze-kissed bliss as Polynesia. Marked by Hawaii in the north, Easter Island in the southeast, and New Zealand in the south, this vast region covers an area as big as North and South America combined. While the islands in this sweeping tropical paradise have been drawing visitors for ages, French Polynesia possesses a singular allure that's nothing short of magical.

Made up of five separate archipelagos containing over 100 islands and atolls, French Polynesia is one of the region's most popular destinations. While most visitors flock to the territory's biggest and most famous island of Tahiti or other jaw-dropping gems such as Bora Bora and Moorea — the perfect spot to swim with stingrays and sharks — French Polynesia is also home to scores of other islands that offer tropical splendor in spades, including Ra'iātea.

Situated in the Society Islands group, Ra'iātea is an under-the-radar destination boasting pristine beaches, coral reefs, turquoise lagoons, lush tropical landscapes, as well as Marae Taputapuātea, a Polynesian temple that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact, the island is considered the sacred homeland of the Polynesian people and served as a jumping-off point for their exploration and settlement of the rest of the South Pacific. This makes Ra'iātea the perfect destination not only for nature lovers, but also for those interested in the region's rich and fascinating history.

Home to only around 12,000 people, Ra'iātea is the second-largest island in the Society Islands archipelago yet sees far fewer visitors than its more famous siblings. The fact that it lacks the sprawling mega-resorts and touristy commercialization found elsewhere means that not only is it easier on the wallet, but it also offers a more authentic experience. You're much more likely to interact with the local people on Ra'iātea, which can bring more meaning to your stay.

The island is a natural wonderland, and in addition to pristine sand and surf, it also boasts verdant jungle and a rocky spine featuring Mt. Temehani. At 2,716 feet, this flat-topped, extinct volcanic rise offers terrific vistas of Bora Bora and Taha'a, Ra'iātea's sister island, with which it shares a lagoon. It's also a sacred peak and home to tiare apetahi, an extremely rare white, five petaled-flower that grows nowhere else in the world.

Ra'iātea also possesses one of Polynesia's greatest cultural assets in the form of Marae Taputapuātea. Built between the 14th and 18th centuries, this stone marae (sacred complex) was used for ceremonies, worship, political gatherings, and the forging of alliances. It occupies 5,000 acres next to Ra'iātea's main lagoon and is seen by many as the very center of Polynesian civilization.

As a tropical island surrounded by crystal-clear waters and coral reefs, Ra'iātea is a haven for kayakers and snorkelers. Many visitors choose to spend their days hopping between the small islands that occupy the lagoon between Ra'iātea and neighboring Taha'a, lazing on the white sand beaches between sessions of marveling at the wild, multichromatic world under the surface of the sea. Ra'iātea is also home to the Faaroa River, the only navigable river in all of French Polynesia. You can explore its tranquil waters on a kayak, gliding along under the canopy of deep rainforest, taking in the local flora and fauna while stopping for a swim at the Haamaremare Iti waterfall.

Ra'iātea can be reached via Tahiti or Bora Bora with Air Moana, French Polynesia's domestic airline. It's also possible to get there by the Apetahi Express inter-island ferry, which departs from Tahiti's capital — Papeete — three times a week. Once you're on the island, it's best to get around by rental car, though any tour operator will provide you with local transportation. For more island splendor without the crowds, check out these underrated tropical gems.