The Islands of Tahiti is a treasure trove of biodiversity and culture, where nature and history intertwine to offer breathtaking landscapes and unique heritage sites. Three sites are recognized by UNESCO for their exceptional value: the Fakarava Biosphere Reserve, the Taputapuātea Marae in Raiatea, and the Marquesas Islands. Discover what makes these places must-visit destinations.
A Preserved Biosphere Reserve
Fakarava
Located in the Tuamotu Archipelago, Fakarava is an atoll renowned for its impressive marine biodiversity, attracting divers from around the world each year. Along with the atolls of Aratika, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro, and Toau, this site has been designated a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO since 2006, highlighting its ecological significance
What makes the reserve unique is the diversity of its lagoons. It features small enclosed lagoons like those of Taiaro and Niau, with hypersaline water in the former and brackish water in the latter. On the other hand, large lagoons open to the ocean, like that of Fakarava, boast impressive passes, including the largest in French Polynesia, which is 1,600 meters wide.
The fauna and flora are remarkable, housing rare, protected, and endemic species, such as the kestrel, or “koteuteu,” a species strictly endemic to the atoll of Niau.
By joining a recognized international network, the municipality and the residents of Fakarava aim to enhance and preserve their rich natural and cultural heritage passed down from their ancestors.
Birthplace of Polynesian Culture
Marae Taputapuātea
Located to the southeast of Raiatea Island, the Taputapuātea Marae is considered the birthplace of Polynesian culture. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017, this ceremonial complex is one of the most important in the entire Polynesian Triangle.
The Taputapuātea Marae was the nerve center of political alliances and spiritual exchanges within the Polynesian Triangle. Chiefs from different islands would gather here for religious ceremonies and to make crucial political decisions.
The marae consists of several stone structures, including ceremonial altars, which reflect the complex religious practices and architectural ingenuity of the ancient Polynesians.
Spread across Polynesia, marae served as places of connection between the world of the living and that of the ancestors and gods. Taputapuātea offers an exceptional testimony to a thousand years of Mā’ohi civilization.
An Exceptional Natural and Cultural Heritage
Marquesas Islands
The Marquesas Islands, located to the northeast of Tahiti, are renowned for their wild beauty and rich cultural heritage. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2024, these islands offer spectacular landscapes and a vibrant culture.
The Marquesas Islands, or Henua Enata in Marquesan, stand out for their jagged ridges, impressive peaks, and cliffs rising steeply above the ocean. These landscapes are unmatched at these tropical latitudes.
The archipelago is a significant center of endemism, home to rare and diverse flora, a variety of iconic marine species, and one of the most diverse seabird assemblages in the South Pacific. Virtually free from human exploitation, the Marquesan waters are among the last wild marine areas in the world.
The archipelago is also famous for its arts, particularly wood carving and tattooing, which are deep expressions of Marquesan cultural identity. The people proudly maintain their ancestral traditions, celebrating them during the Matava’a o te Henua Enana, the Marquesas Festival.
The site also includes archaeological landmarks, ranging from dry stone monumental structures to sculptures and lithic engravings. Notable must-see historical sites include the Kamuihei archaeological site in Nuku Hiva, the Me’ae site in Puamau, and Upeke in Hiva Oa.
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