Tikehau Travel Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
Take time to browse our travel tips for Tikehau as well as the list of frequently asked questions our visitors and tourists who come to discover Tikehau or Motu Fafarua.
Climate
The climate in the Tuamotu archipelago is tropical and humid, but with less rain than in the high islands due to the absence of mountains.
The austral summer (the rainy season) runs from November to April, with peaks in December and January.
The austral winter (the cooler, drier season) runs from May to October, and is the best time to visit the Tuamotus.
Equipment to have
All you need for your vacation is a pair of swimsuits, a Tahitian shirt, a sarong and open flat shoes with a good sole. These can all be purchased locally in Tahiti. You'll also need a straw hat or cap, water-resistant sun cream and sunglasses, as the sun is strong in the Tuamotus and reflects off the white sand beaches and coral gravel roads.
The motu is regularly cleaned and generally well ventilated, so mosquitoes may be present but are generally few and far between. The motu dwellings are built in the Polynesian style to be well ventilated, which also helps to keep out mosquitoes. Rooms are fitted with mosquito nets, and fans keep the air in the rooms moving. We recommend leaving windows wide open, especially at night, to keep the air circulating. Mosquito repellent creams are available on request. When swimming, we recommend that you wear plastic "tongue"-style shoes to avoid cutting yourself on the coral or being stung by sea urchins or stonefish. On excursions to explore the reefs or wilder motus, we advise you to wear more protected, thick-soled shoes.
Precautions
French Polynesia does not allow the collection of shells or coral, even if they are not alive. On the reef or underwater, be careful not to touch certain shells, which can be dangerous, or to rub against certain corals, which can be very stinging or injure you.
In general, we advise you not to touch any underwater animal or plant. When exploring the seabed, we advise you not to get too close to rocks with dark areas if you can't see clearly what's underneath, as these may harbor and hide moray eels that could bite you to defend their territory. The motu, like most of the Tuamotu's landmass, is planted with coconut groves. Coconut palms are a vital resource for the local population and are very useful to the environment, in particular for maintaining the soil, protecting against strong winds and the effects of the sea during heavy swells and storms. But they are also very high and can drop coconuts that can seriously injure a human being. That's why we ask you not to park under a coconut tree, or if you must pass under one, to do so with a good eye for the coconuts it is carrying.
Fafarua Private Island Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions most frequently asked by visitors to motu Fafarua. Click on the question of your choice to display the answer.
Where is Fafarua Private Island?
Fafarua Private Island is a motu (islet) located on Tikehau Atoll in French Polynesia, in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. It is located in the south-east of the atoll, accessible only by lagoon, 30 minutes by boat from the village.
Our GPS coordinates :
DMS (degrees, minutes, seconds) :
15°02'11 "S 148°04'25" W
DD (decimal degrees) :
Latitude: -15.0363889
Longitude: -148.07361111111112
How do I get to Fafarua Private Island?
From Tahiti-Faaa international airport, there is at least one daily flight to Tikehau. There are also regular direct flights from Bora Bora, Raiatea, Rangiroa and Fakarava. Afterwards, our own driver will be waiting for you at Tikehau airport.
What's the best season to come?
Polynesia's maritime tropical climate is warm, with temperatures varying between 24°C and 30°C all year round (average temperature: 26.5°C), and humid (hygrometry: 75%), but tempered by the ocean. The lagoon's water temperature fluctuates year-round between 23 and 26°C. Polynesia is subject to the circulation of the southeast and northeast trade winds, which converge in the equatorial zone, giving rise to two seasons: the dry season and the wet season. The dry season or "austral winter from April to October, is cooler than expected (between 24 and 28°C), with July and August being the coolest months, thanks to the southeasterly trade winds, known as maraamu. So a sweater (cotton) is often appreciated for the evenings or mornings. The wet season, known as the rainy season, from November to March, brings dampness, humidity and more frequent and abundant rainfall than in the dry season, with trade winds from the east to northeast. During this season, tropical depressions can form.
How many people can stay on the Motu?
We can accommodate from 2 to 8 people, although our sleeping capacities are higher. The house has 3 bedrooms, 2 with 1 double bed and 1 single bed, and 1 with 1 double bed, which sleeps 8. This means that a group of 4 couples could not have a room for each couple.
Is there internet on the island?
The motu has a cell phone network and free Internet access (approx. 30Mb/s downstream, 20Mb/s upstream).
Where does the island's electricity come from?
We have a solar energy system that produces all our electricity. The energy captured during the day is stored in batteries, which have a limited capacity, so electricity use must be moderate to avoid draining the batteries. High-consumption appliances such as hair dryers cannot be used. If they are essential, or if the need arises, a diesel-powered generator can be used.
What type of current is there?
Sockets supply 220V. Sockets are of the European type, identical to those found in France.
Is there running water on the island?
A running water circuit operates on the island, fed by rainwater storage on the roofs and avoiding drawing on the motu's natural underground reserves. It delivers hot and cold water in quantities suitable for comfortable use. We invite everyone to take care not to waste this precious resource.
Is there television on the island?
No, we have deliberately not installed television reception. However, Internet access allows us to keep abreast of the latest news and to stay in touch with the outside world if we so wish.
What medical treatment is available?
French Polynesia enjoys excellent health coverage, with high-quality organization and medical resources. Hospitals are equipped with medical teams and resources in line with standards in force in mainland France and Europe. A minimum medical service is provided at all times by the Tikehau infirmary, which is in constant contact with the Tahiti Emergency Medical Service. If necessary, after-transfer care can be provided by Tahiti's private hospitals and clinics. We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance including medical coverage and medical evacuation.
Is it possible to request a special diet?
Our family-style, French cuisine deliberately gives pride of place to the island's fish and fresh local produce, and strives to introduce you to some of the Tuamotu's specialities. However, we will do our utmost to take into account your tastes and desires, in the knowledge that we will need sufficient time to organize the orders necessary for the realization of a different cuisine. As the possibilities for sourcing on the island are very limited, and deliveries by cargo ship take a very long time, special orders must take these delivery times into account. Please let us know your requirements as soon as possible, and we'll do our best to satisfy you.
Does the motu have a well-stocked cellar?
We have a selection of wines kept in our cellar and various alcoholic beverages which will be billed to you as you consume them. We can provide you with a list of these on request. If you require specific products, we can order them and make them available to you. You will be asked to pay 50 % as a deposit for the order. You can bring your own spirits, wine or beer, but you will be charged a corkage fee for each bottle opened or consumed (see our wine list).
What dangers should I be particularly wary of during my stay?
Whether in the sea or on land, Polynesia's flora and fauna pose little danger to humans, as long as a few basic rules of caution are observed. Don't hesitate to ask us any questions you may have, and we'll be delighted to advise you on the best way to behave. Surprising as it may seem, the greatest dangers to visitors come from the sun, coral and ...... coconuts THE SUN: At these latitudes close to the equator, the sun is particularly intense, providing exceptional luminosity and color, but it is also very harsh on the skin, whether through exposure to infrared or ultraviolet rays. Sunburn" can cause severe and painful burns, and intense exposure to ultraviolet rays is harmful to the skin. Visitors, most of whom come from countries with much less sunshine, are particularly vulnerable from the moment they arrive, and need to protect themselves as soon as possible. CORAL: The islets that make up the Tuamotus atolls are entirely made up of coral, whether it's coral debris on land or living coral in the sea. This coral can easily cause wounds on the feet, which can be difficult to heal in this salty tropical environment. COCOTIER TREES: majestic trees that adorn all the landscapes of our islands form shady plantations under which it is pleasant to walk. However, coconut palms bear a fruit, the coconut, which can weigh several kilos and which naturally falls from the top of the tree, which can exceed ten meters in height, once it has reached maturity. Such an impact can cause serious head trauma. So avoid parking under coconut palms, preferring the shade of other, more welcoming trees. List of things not to forget Protection against the sun High-intensity sun cream or sun block are essential and should be used as a preventive measure from day one: hats, caps, halter-tops Protection against coral We strongly recommend that you have shoes that can be used in the water, offering good protection for your feet, so that you can make the most of the wonders of our beaches and reefs.
Are children accepted?
Yes, if they are aged 12 or over.
Spending a family vacation in a secluded location in an exceptional area like Tikehau’s atoll can be a very attractive vacation project.
Fafarua Private Island is certainly the place.
On the private island, everything has been done to provide the necessary comfort for a pleasant stay in an environment that remains rather hostile to non-native people.
There are, however, certain realities to consider.
The concept of a secluded private island responds to the notion of enjoying an exceptional environment with peace, tranquility and respect for the place and its inhabitants.
We ask our guests to share these values. We appreciate good humor, music and general conviviality. However, we do not tolerate yelling, screaming, fighting or aggressive behavior, regardless of the age of the guests.
Parents are responsible for supervising their children, whether in the buildings, on the grounds, during unsupervised swimming, or on excursions.
In addition, the natural environment can present a number of hazards:
- Risk of injury from coral, which is omnipresent on an atoll,
- Numerous coconut trees with coconuts that can fall,
- Unsupervised swimming.
The remoteness of the island should be taken into account, as we are 30 minutes by boat (in calm seas) from the village clinic (there is no doctor on the island) and one hour by plane from the nearest hospital (in Tahiti).
The use of equipment such as paddleboards, kayaks, fins, masks and snorkels must be under the supervision and responsibility of parents.
The installations, furnishings and decorations of the lodge are the result of more than twenty years of work and are often difficult to repair or replace. Therefore, we ask that everyone be respectful and make appropriate use of the facilities, equipment and environment. The house as a whole, should not be considered a playground.
Rooms must be used according to their normal occupancy. For example, a room with a bathroom for 2 to 3 people cannot be used for 4 to 6 people. The 60 000 square meter motu and its beaches are available for physical exercise.
The remoteness of the atoll and the private island makes sourcing very complicated, forcing the chef to constantly adapt to what's available.
We give great preference to fresh local produce and our cuisine is based on fish in all its forms, caught locally and whenever we can.
It is very difficult to plan "special children's" meals and cater to everyone's specific tastes. We therefore recommend that you contact us prior to booking to find out how we can accommodate your needs.
Similarly, the isolated location of the private island and the need to be self-sufficient in water and electricity means that we have to consider the wise use of these two resources without wasting them.
For all these reasons, although we are happy to welcome children, we feel that Fafarua Private Island is not a "particularly suitable" structure for children, especially young ones.
That's why, after ten years of experience, we have decided not to accept children under the age of 12.
We would be happy to welcome children over the age of 12, and we ask families bringing children to understand that this will only be possible if they make an effort to adapt to what we offer and to the rules of conviviality on the motu.
Another question?
Contact us!
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.