Island


Eco Tours

Why choose Island Eco Tours?

photo_paul_seul_voiture.jpg
Island Eco Tours is an owner operated tour company, established in the year 2000 and is dedicated to offering visitors the best, most detailed and educational land excursions available on the Island of Huahine. Our mission is to provide the eco-tourist and casual visitor with a high quality experience on this beautiful South Seas Island.


photo_equipe_IET_juin_2018.jpg
Owner/Operator and Professional Guide Paul Atallah holds degrees from the University of Hawai’i in Polynesian Anthropology, Pacific Island Archaeology and Travel Industry Development and Management. He also has hands on research experience working on the various sites you will visit and has personally trained all of his guides.

If you are looking to learn more about Huahine, including the fascinating history and culture of this stunning “Garden Isle”, than this is the perfect tour for you.



Island Eco Tours have been featured in various publications including:

Island_Magazine.png


- Tahiti Infos, October 2015
- Forbes Travel Guide, February 2014
- Der Spiegel, September 2012
- SFGate, January 2012
- The National Post, March 2012
- The Huffington Post, December 2011
- Tahiti Times, January 2011
- The Telegraph UK, February 2009
- Outside Magazine, February 2007
- Tokyo Calendar, November 2006
- Sports Illustrated, Winter 2006
- Islands Magazine, July/August 2005
- Modern Bride, February/March 2004
- Boston.com Travel, January 2004
- La Marche, January/February2004
- M Monthly Japan, March 2003
- Hana Hou, The Magazine of Hawaiian Airlines, March 2003
- Al Sur Magazine Japan, 2002
- Islands Magazine, Feb 1995
- Vermont Sunday Magazine, February 1994
- Lets Travel Magazine
- Marie Claire

Huahine, Maeva Village and Mata’ire’a Hill

archipel_de_la_societe.gif
Huahine is part of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, located 17’ South – 151’ West in the South Pacific Ocean. The island's population is about 6,400 souls spread over approximately 28.5 square miles.




CARTE_HUAHINE_3.png

Huahine is made up of 2 main islands surrounded by a fringe of coral reef with several "motu" (small coral islets). Huahine Nui (Big Huahine) lays to the north of Huahine Iti (Little Huahine). The two islands are separated by a narrow channel of water and are joined by a bridge.







Pecheur.png
Huahine produces vanilla, copra, watermelon, cantaloupe, noni, taro and other crops. Many Islanders also make a living from fishing.





Maeva Village and Mata’ire’a Hill

Marae_Maeva.jpg
The true uniqueness of the island is the number of ancient, historically important sites, some dating back to the first settlers about 1000 years ago. Huahine is renowned for its Royal Village of Maeva, considered to be one of the most important and unique archaeological areas in all of Oceania.



parc_a_poisson.jpg
Traditionally, Maeva was the seat of royalty for all of Huahine. It was here that the island’s chief families lived side by side and worshiped their ancestors close to their respective "marae" (temples). The numerous stone fish traps in Lake Fauna Nui helped to supply an abundance of food for these royal villagers.



Marae_foret_Maeva.png
Mata’re’a Hill, located just above the village of Maeva, is home to more than 200 stone structures, including "marae", agricultural terraces, house foundations, fortification walls and burial platforms.



Emory_Sinoto.jpg
Dr. Kenneth P. Emory of Bishop Museum in Honolulu, did the first research on Huahine in 1925. His student, Dr. Yosihiko Sinoto, also of Bishop Museum, started independent research and restoration of sites in 1967. In 1977 he discovered the remnants of a deep-sea voyaging canoe, as well as other unique artifacts, just outside of the village of Fare.



YSINOTO.jpg
Dr. Sinoto was honored as a Tahitian chevalier (knight) of the Order of Tahiti Nui in 2007 and the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun. Sinoto's lorikeet (Vini sinotoi), an extinct lorikeet species in the Marquesas Islands, and Sir Yosihiko Sinoto, a hybrid variety of hibiscus, are both named after him.
Dr. Sinoto’s research, deep love and passion for Huahine and its people continued until his passing on October 4, 2017.
Island Eco Tours © Copyright 2017 - 2024,
Je, tu, ile... Huahine ! All rights reserved.
Island Eco Tours
BP 681
Fare 98731
Huahine
French Polynesia
Contact us