Uturoa, Raietea Island

French Polynesia

Explore the sacred marae temple ruins nestled in lush valleys while paddling through crystalline lagoons teeming with tropical fish.

Currency CFP Franc (XPF)

Language French, Tahitian

Time Zone SST (UTC-10)

Best Time to Visit Sep–Mar

Typical Duration 58-73 nights

Price Range $2,309–$91,949 per person

Port Type Port of Call

Tender Port Yes

Gateway to the stunning Society Islands and pristine Polynesian culture, offering world-class diving, lagoon exploration, and authentic island experiences.

Cruises that visit Uturoa, Raietea Island

Build Your Day in Uturoa, Raietea Island

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 8:00 PM

Usually about 12 hours ashore

My ship arrives around: Getting around:

Marae Taputapuatea Taputapuatea Marae definitely a memorable experience. Historical place · ★ 4.7 · 1k Closes soon · 5 PM

Hôtel Raiatea Lodge We visited the Raiatea Lodge for dinner and had a fantastic meal. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k

ARE Tours Raiatea This is a must do when you are in Raiatea! Sightseeing tour agency · ★ 4.9 · 0k

Fish & Blue It’s my favorite restaurant in French Polynesia. Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 0k

Raiatea Botanical Garden Very nice walk, with a brief history of Polynesia bonus tidy clean toilets Botanical garden · ★ 4.5 · 0k

Opoa Beach Hotel It's important to know that it is a 45min drive from Uturoa. Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 0k Closed · Opens 6:30 PM

Snack Tonoi Six other restaurants on the island took the time to make fresh fries. Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Thu

Raiatea Raiatea 😍 The "Sacred Island" of French Polynesia! Island · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Restaurant Villa Ixora A must stop to eat for any foodie visiting the islands. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k Closed · Opens 6:30 PM

Raiatea Pearl Educational and pearls sold here are cheaper than in Tahiti. Aquaculture farm · ★ 5 · 0k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

DESTINATION LAGON We went on two excursions with Destination Lagon and both were amazing. Sightseeing tour agency · ★ 4.9 · 0k Closes soon · 5 PM

RAIATEA BLUE LAGOON This is my favourite tour of my 3 week trip in French Polynesian ! Boat tour agency · ★ 5 · 0k Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Thu

Roulotte Kaikai The food was one of the most delicious meals we had in French Polynesia. Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 0k Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu

Roulotte Tevahine The most wonderful restaurant we have tried in French Polynesia. Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 0k Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu

La Raie'Gate Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.2 · 0k

Snack Aéroport There is indoor and outdoor seating. Restaurant · ★ 3.7 · 0k Closes soon · 5 PM

Te Mara Nui We were able to get a custom itinerary at Te Mara Nui. Dive club · ★ 4.6 · 0k Closes soon · 5:30 PM

Mystery House Raiatea This is a must see in Raiatea. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 0k Closes soon · 5 PM

Cadichon Vallee We had the best time riding these beautiful horses in the ocean! Pony club · ★ 5 · 0k Closes soon · 5 PM

Napoli Restaurant RAIATEA Dine-in Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 6 PM

Catamaran apetahi. Boat tours We had a great family holiday with the team from Catamaran Apetahi. Cruise agency · ★ 5 · 0k Closes soon · 5:30 PM

Randonnée des Gabbros Nice place to stop and check the peculiar geological formations in the area. Hiking area · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Belvedere Faaroa Exceptional views of this magnificent island. Scenic spot · ★ 4.8 · 0k Open now

Restaurant La Voile d'Or à Raiatea - 'Āpo'oiti Great location and chill vibes. Bar · ★ 3.9 · 0k Permanently closed

Arii Moana Tours We had the time of our lives! Boat tour agency · ★ 4.9 · 0k

Hava'i and Sea We absolutely loved our boat tour of Tahaa with Hava’i and Sea. Boat tour agency · ★ 5 · 0k Closes soon · 5 PM

FAAROA CRUISE It was our best excursion of our three Polynesian stops. Boat tour agency · ★ 5 · 0k Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Thu

Motu Ofetaro Easy to reach from Uturoa or Tepua by boat or kayak. Park · ★ 4.5 · 0k

Ron's Roulotte Glad we found this place on our visit. Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k Closed · Opens 6 PM

LS PROXI Uturoa It had everything we needed and ok prices. Supermarket · ★ 4.2 · 0k Open · Closes 7:30 PM

Restaurant Phoenix d'OR Raiatea So far this is the nearest restaurant near the cruise ship port. Restaurant · ★ 4.2 · 0k Closed · Opens 5:30 PM

Atipikaa We found this restaurant on our drive around the island. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k

Magasin LIAUT Nice place to buy a souvenir from Raiatea. Supermarket · ★ 4 · 0k Open · Closes 6:30 PM

Havaii Sport Sporting goods store · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closes soon · 5 PM

Gare Maritime - Uturoa Plenty of stores from groceries to hardware. Shopping mall · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closes soon · 5 PM

Tico Pearls Raiatea In-store shopping·In-store pickup·Delivery Jewelry store · ★ 4.6 · 0k Closes soon · 5 PM

Nautisport Raiatea Found mens reef shoes in size 49.5 saved our trip and great prices. Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closed · Opens 7:45 AM Thu

Magasin AURORE RAIATEA Excellent Store for shopping. Store · ★ 4.2 · 0k Closes soon · 5 PM

BottleShop Raiatea They also carried a large number of wines for sale. Liquor store · ★ 5 · 0k Closes soon · 5:30 PM

Raromatai Sweety Boutique I bought my favorite hat ever here! Boutique · ★ 4 · 0k Closes soon · 5 PM

Motu Aito Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 0k

King Shop Polynesia Sportswear store · ★ 5 · 0k Closed · Opens 7:30 AM Thu

Raiatea Escape Tourist attraction · ★ 5 · 0k

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Next Departures from Uturoa, Raietea Island

About Uturoa, Raietea Island

Uturoa, the main port of Raiatea Island, serves as a scenic port of call for cruisers exploring French Polynesia's Society Islands. While this intimate port welcomes just one cruise line—Oceania Cruises—it offers a more exclusive and unhurried experience compared to busier Pacific ports. With 11 upcoming cruises and itineraries spanning 40 nights, visitors typically combine Uturoa with longer voyages that venture to Tahiti, Hawaii, and other South Pacific destinations, making it an ideal stop for those seeking deeper exploration of the region.

Stepping ashore in Uturoa, you'll discover the authentic charm of a working Polynesian port town, where local culture thrives beyond the typical cruise ship experience. The island's lush tropical landscape and nearby lagoons provide natural beauty, while the town itself offers genuine opportunities to connect with island life and local traditions. Whether you're seeking cultural immersion or simply a peaceful tropical setting, Uturoa delivers a refreshingly genuine slice of French Polynesia.

Sacred Marae Temple Exploration

Discover Raietea's spiritual heart by visiting the ancient marae temples scattered across the island. These pre-contact Polynesian ceremonial sites offer profound insights into traditional culture and stunning views across the lagoon. Local guides share fascinating stories of ancestral rituals and the island's significance as a sacred center of Polynesian civilization.

Fresh Tropical Market Flavors

Wander through Uturoa's vibrant local market bursting with exotic fruits, fresh seafood, and Polynesian delicacies. Sample poisson cru, the iconic raw fish marinated in coconut milk, or taste tropical fruits you've never encountered. The market captures authentic island life and offers the freshest flavors of French Polynesia.

Lagoon Snorkeling & Water Adventures

Plunge into Raietea's crystalline lagoon teeming with colorful coral gardens and tropical fish species. The calm, protected waters are perfect for snorkeling directly from the shore or via organized boat excursions. Encounter vibrant marine life in one of the South Pacific's most pristine aquatic environments.

Artisan Crafts & Local Boutiques

Browse Uturoa's charming shops featuring handcrafted Polynesian jewelry, tapa cloth, and wood carvings created by local artisans. Each piece tells a story of island traditions and cultural heritage. Support local creators while discovering unique souvenirs unavailable anywhere else in the world.

Vanilla Plantation & Agricultural Tours

Visit Raietea's renowned vanilla plantations to learn how the island produces some of the world's finest vanilla. Walk through fragrant gardens, understand the meticulous cultivation process, and purchase premium vanilla products directly from growers. This agricultural heritage defines the island's economy and aromatic identity.