Vahine Island Ile privée Resort and Spa

My husband and I recently spent 4 nights at Vahine Island during our 3 week trip to French Polynesia. We stayed in one of the overwater bungalows and enjoyed it immensely. |Our entire experience was phenomenal. During our boat ride from Uturoa, our driver slowed down to point out sharks and rays in the water. Our lunch order was taken so that it would be ready when we arrived. There were lots of excursions available for an additional cost but these were not pushed on us. |We stayed in one of three overwater bungalows and loved being able to swim and snorkel right off our deck. We had our own snorkel gear but there was gear available for us to use if we had needed it. There were kayaks and paddle boards available as well.|The staff was always available but never intrusive. |The food was excellent. We were presented the dinner menu at breakfast and we could ask for small changes to suit our taste. |The small, intimate nature of this resort (3 overwater bungalows and 6 beach bungalows) suited our travel preferences perfectly. We loved our experience!

Excellent "castaway" experience. Staff is super friendly and accommodating. Food was excellent. This is not your overly commercialized Bora Bora experience but if you want a quiet, peaceful experience in FP this is a great place to stay.

The name Vahine Island Spa and Resort suggests a sprawling luxury property, but in reality, this intimate retreat is set on a secluded motu spanning just shy of 25 acres (10 hectares). Located a 15-minute boat ride from Taha’a and about 35 minutes from the dock at Raiatea airport, its remoteness ensures peace, tranquility, and a sense of escape. The attentive staff takes care of every detail, making your stay as comfortable as it is serene.||Accommodations||Vahine offers just nine accommodations: three overwater bungalows, three beach bungalows, and three beach suites. The beach lodgings offer the most privacy, thanks to the natural barriers of trees, bushes, and generous spacing between units. I stayed in the last beach suite and often felt as if I had the island to myself.||The construction and decor reflect authentic Polynesian craftsmanship, with intricate details that set Vahine apart from corporate resorts. Decorative moldings, made by pressing shells into plaster, line the walls. Bathroom mirrors are framed with artistic, abstract arrangements of found shells. Every corner of the resort reveals thoughtful, handcrafted touches—evidence of an owner intent on preserving authenticity rather than replicating a standardized aesthetic.||A Digital Detox—But Not Entirely||Vahine is designed for relaxation, and in keeping with that philosophy, there are no televisions on the island. However, the WiFi is excellent for those who need to stay connected.||Dining Experience||With a maximum of 18 guests (only six during my stay), Vahine has a single restaurant. Half-board (breakfast and dinner) is mandatory, with lunch optional.||Breakfast follows a set structure: fresh juice, fresh fruit, Tahitian vanilla yogurt, breads and pastries, cereals, eggs, pancakes, and hot beverages. The staff assumes everyone wants juice, fruit, and yogurt, and guests can choose additional items. The homemade yogurt is particularly exceptional. Coffee drinkers should request coconut milk—it’s unlike anything I’ve had in the U.S.||Dinner is a three-course set menu, presented each morning at breakfast. Guests can accept the menu as is or request modifications. While I never objected to the main courses, I did ask for fewer potatoes after my first two dinners included white potatoes, sweet potatoes (both sliced and mashed), taro, and breadfruit—more starch than I could eat. After my request, sides included bok choy and rice one night, spinach and rice another. Lettuce was unavailable during my stay, so greens may be limited.||Protein lovers will appreciate the starters, which often feature seafood. I had tuna tartare multiple times, along with sliced raw mother-of-pearl clams and beef tataki. The main course was typically fish, though one night they served chicken and another duck.||Water & Sustainability||Each guest receives a small plastic bottle of water daily, but there’s no need to rely on bottled water—Vahine provides a filtered water station in the bar building. I hope they transition to a reusable glass bottle system, as many small hotels have done, to further reduce plastic waste.||Activities & Entertainment||If you prefer structured entertainment, Vahine may not be for you. Here, you create your own schedule. Upon arrival, guests receive an orientation to the available activities, including complimentary kayaks and canoes, as well as excursions (some free, some for a fee). Evenings are quiet, with no organized entertainment. Once dinner concludes, the island settles into a peaceful hush.||Snorkeling the Coral Garden||Vahine’s coral garden is spectacular but not for beginners. The reef flat has a strong current, so snorkeling here requires a guided excursion. The experience begins with a walk to the lagoon’s edge, where the ocean meets the reef. From there, the current carries snorkelers past vibrant coral formations and schools of fish. There’s no swimming against the current—if you miss something, you won’t be able to turn back.||All four of us on the guided snorkel ended up with minor coral cuts, as some areas are so shallow that avoiding contact is nearly impossible. While I enjoyed the drift snorkel, I also loved simply wading into the lagoon from my bungalow, where the crystal-clear water made it easy to spot baby sharks, giant clams, coral, and small fish. A painted moray eel had even taken up residence near the shore.||Unforgettable Moments||One of the highlights of my stay was a two-hour private sail on a pirogue—fast, splashy, and exhilarating. But just as memorable were the quieter moments: sitting on my beach villa’s porch, listening to the rhythmic waves, watching the clouds shift, and getting lost in a book. Pure bliss.||Final Thoughts||Vahine Island is an escape in the truest sense. It’s a place for those who cherish solitude, natural beauty, and unhurried days. If you crave nightlife and constant activity, it may not be the right fit. But if your idea of paradise is a private beach, a good book, and the whisper of the ocean, Vahine might be just what you’re looking for.

We have been coming back from the past 10 years. This is true French Polynesia at its finest. best place ever where to relax and rewind. The service is friendly, the food is fantastic. The beach bungalow are large and very comfortable. It’s true paradise on earth.

The island and overwater bungalow were beautiful. Service was not great. There were only 3 couples on the island and we were always feeling like we were a bother. Water is not included which is crazy when you are paying over $800 USD a night. Breakfast was nice. Only one choice for dinner. One glass of wine or a cocktail should be included in the dinner price. No hair conditioner so make sure you bring your own. Soap products were cheap. We were supposed to have a snorkel tour and they just said follow the sticks. The boards and other equipment was in rough shape and it looked like the large house had all the quality equipment with the bungalows having the leftovers. For the price we expected more of a top service experience.

We had a magical 5 nights here- wonderful staff, lovely cabin with a spectacular view across to Bora Bora, great food. Everything you need for a perfect stay is here- snorkeling gear, reef shoes, boat trips, canoes, etc. The pick up (by boat) from the little airport was a lovely start to our stay. Snorkeling was good- but you could also see a lot of the marine life and coral just by walking in the lagoon. I cannot think of anything which I would change- only regret was having only 5 days here!

There are places that feel like people. Places that are so vibrant they feel as though they have a soul. Vahine’s soul is made of glittering waters, gentle hospitality and a quiet intimacy.||There are places you’ve never lived but feel like a childhood home that you miss. I’ve never experienced anything like Vahine. I only stayed 4 nights here on my French Polynesian adventure and I feel a deep sense of sentimentality towards this island. I look forward to returning someday to this place that feels like home. ||I was worried that traveling solo as a woman I’d feel and be unsafe. This couldn’t be further from my experience here. I was well taken care of and felt safe at all times. ||I am vegetarian and of course coming to an island most of the cuisine is fish. However delicious custom meals without meat or fish were made for me every day. I appreciated this extra effort immensely. ||My favorite excursions were the sunset sailing and the pearl farm on tahaa. The sunset sailing was so serene and peaceful I had to do it twice. The pearl farm shows off natures treasures in such a beautiful way. Even simply walking around the island and listening to music in my earbuds or listening to Vahine’s sounds was magical. ||The crown of this island is the people. The staff are so unbelievably kind and accommodating. They are so warm and friendly and I couldn’t be more grateful to them for this. ||If you are considering coming here and you seek an escape from the hustle and bustle of more densely populated areas, I’d urge you to come. I’ve never felt so at peace in a place. You will have a beautiful experience here. ||Thank you so much to the team of Vahine for a lifelong memory!

This tiny island paradise is exactly that! Totally unspoilt (as I’m sure the rest of the islands are). A very warm welcome awaits you as you step off your boat onto the island. With impeccable service you feel right at home as soon as you land. The waters around the island are nothing short of breathtaking. The food here is probably the best we have experienced in Tahiti. Vahine Island is blessed to have such fantastic chefs who concoct the most beautiful dishes for you on a daily basis - just delicious. |Cannot recommend highly enough that you visit this stunning island and the people who make your stay so special.