Raiatea Cruise Port
Uturoa, French Polynesia · Pacific
Cruise ships dock at Uturoa Cruise Quay, Uturoa.
Plan my port daysShips dock right in Uturoa town; the marae, Faaroa River and Taha'a need a car or boat, and most highlights are on the water.
At a glance
Port summary
Ships dock at the Uturoa maritime terminal in the middle of town (larger vessels may tender to the same spot); the market, shops and Tapioi hill trail are a short walk, while the UNESCO Taputapuatea marae is about 45 minutes by road, and the Faaroa River, Taha'a vanilla island and lagoon motus are reached by boat.
Cruise dock
🚢 Uturoa Cruise Quay
Cruise quay at the Gare Maritime d'Uturoa in the town centre; ships berth alongside, larger vessels may tender to the same spot. Approx coord — quay not precisely OSM-tagged.
📍 Latitude: -16.7315, Longitude: -151.4465
See dock on port map →Getting to Uturoa
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Uturoa town, market and pearl shops are a flat 5-minute walk from the quay.
📍 Walk from the quay into Uturoa.
Boats run lagoon, Taha'a, motu and Faaroa River trips; most highlights are on the water.
📍 Boat and lagoon tour operators at the quay.
A rental car is the flexible way to circle the island and reach the Taputapuatea marae.
📍 Pre-book; small agencies in Uturoa.
Taxis are scarce and expensive on Raiatea; agree the fare before you set off.
📍 Few taxis near the quay.
Map & things to do
Money & payments
The local currency is the CFP franc (XPF); carry cash for the market, small boats and stalls, though cards work in town and euros are sometimes accepted.
Things to do
Taputapuatea Marae
⭐ Highlight
Walk the great ocean-side temple complex at the spiritual heart of Polynesia, a UNESCO site.
🕐 Morning, before the heat
Uturoa Town & Market
Short stop🚶 Walk
Browse the colourful Uturoa market and pearl shops, a few steps from the cruise quay.
🕐 Morning for the market
Taha'a Vanilla Plantation
🎯 Activity
Tour a fragrant vanilla plantation on Taha'a, where most of Tahiti's vanilla is grown.
🕐 Combine with a Taha'a boat day
Taha'a Coral Garden Snorkel
🎯 Activity
Drift-snorkel the famous Coral Garden between two motus off Taha'a, alive with reef fish.
🕐 Calm, sunny days
Tahitian Black Pearl Farm
Short stop🎯 Activity
Visit a lagoon pearl farm to see how Tahiti's famous black pearls are grown and buy at source.
🕐 Combine with a lagoon boat day
Faaroa River Kayak
🎯 Activity
Paddle the only navigable river in French Polynesia through jungle and hibiscus-lined banks.
🕐 Calm mornings
Uturoa Poisson Cru & Roulottes
Short stop🍽️ Restaurant
Taste poisson cru, grilled tuna and tropical fruit at Uturoa's market and food stalls.
🕐 Lunchtime
Tapioi Hill Lookout
📸 Viewpoint
Hike the steep track above Uturoa to a panorama over the lagoon, Taha'a and Bora Bora.
🕐 Cooler morning
Faaroa Botanical Garden
Short stop🌿 Nature
Wander a lush garden of Polynesian plants, fruit trees and flowers in the Faaroa valley.
🕐 Morning
Mount Temehani
🌿 Nature
Explore the misty Temehani plateau, the only home of the sacred tiare apetahi flower.
🕐 Clear, dry mornings
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Plan my port days →Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Uturoa?
- Your ship docks directly at the Uturoa cruise terminal in French Polynesia.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Uturoa?
- Yes. Uturoa is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Uturoa centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Ferry, Car rental, Taxi. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Uturoa?
- Plan for at least 3.5 hours ashore to see Uturoa independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Uturoa and are cards accepted?
- Uturoa uses the CFP Franc. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Uturoa cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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