Every November, the Leeward Islands become the stage for one of the most extraordinary sporting events in the world: the Hawaiki Nui Va’a outrigger canoe race. For three days, the best six-paddler teams from across Polynesia and abroad battle over more than 120 kilometers between Huahine, Ra’iātea, Taha’a, and Bora Bora. More than a competition, it’s a celebration of courage, unity, and the unbreakable bond between a people and their ocean.
Every year, during the first week of the All Saints’ school holidays, all of French Polynesia vibrates in unison. From the beaches to the offices in Pape’ete, all eyes turn toward the Leeward Islands. It’s Hawaiki Nui Va’a time—the great six-man outrigger canoe race.
For three days, the Fenua holds its breath. The pū (conch shell) sounds, flags snap in the wind, and the sleek, powerful canoes surge into the open ocean and across the lagoons, as if the sea itself were coming alive.
Three Days, Four Islands
More than a race, the Hawaiki Nui Va’a is an initiation voyage. Over more than 120 kilometers, the teams link Huahine, Ra’iātea, Taha’a, and Bora Bora. Every stage demands strength, endurance, strategy, and perfect teamwork.
The canoes skim over the white-capped swells, carried by the ocean’s pulse and the breath of their ancestors.
The paddlers don’t just represent a club or an island—they carry the mana of an entire people, the descendants of navigators who once crossed the Pacific guided only by the stars.
Huahine: Where the Legend Begins
It all begins on Fare Beach in Huahine. At dawn, the mountains glow under the golden light while chants rise into the air and the canoes wait on the shoreline.
In the early morning haze, you can see the tense, focused faces of the paddlers, silent and steady. The first strokes echo like a heartbeat.
On the dock, families wave flower garlands, children run, and visitors applaud. Within minutes, the teams vanish toward the horizon, bound for Ra’iātea, the Sacred Island. Silence settles again—but everyone knows the adventure has only just begun.
Ra’iātea–Taha’a: The Beating Heart of Va’a
Ra’iātea, cradle of the gods and the first Polynesian navigators, becomes the center of the world. Canoes enter the pass carried by ocean swells and surrounded by dozens of escort boats.
Between Ra’iātea and Taha’a, the race reaches its most intense stage—a sprint filled with tension and strategy. Teams challenge one another fiercely.
The scent of vanilla drifts from the shores, cheers drown out the wind, and all of Polynesia seems to paddle together, united in one powerful rhythm.
Bora Bora: Glory and Grace
The final stage ends in the most spectacular setting imaginable. In Bora Bora, Mount Otemanu rises like a totem over the shimmering lagoon. Canoes burst through the Teavanui Pass as helicopters roar overhead.
On Matira Beach, the crowd erupts in applause as the winners arrive. Exhausted paddlers collapse into one another’s arms.
Around them, songs, dances, and warm embraces mark the end of the journey.
The Hawaiki Nui Va’a isn’t just a race—it’s a ritual, an offering to the sea, a shared breath of identity.
More Than a Sport: A Culture of Sharing
The Hawaiki Nui Va’a brings generations together. Veterans pass down their knowledge, young paddlers dream of joining the race, and women, juniors, and adaptive athletes compete in their own categories. Across each island, food stands pop up, people prepare poisson cru with coconut milk, dance ’ori Tahiti, and sing late into the night.
For Polynesians, this race symbolizes the unbreakable relationship between people and ocean.
For visiting sailors, it’s a full immersion into the soul of the Fenua. Here, the sea isn’t an obstacle—it’s a pathway to others.
If your voyage brings you to the Leeward Islands at the right time, treat yourself to the gift of staying for the race. Drop anchor in Ra’iātea or Bora Bora and let yourself be swept up in the energy.
In the splash of paddles and the shouts of joy, you’ll discover another face of the Fenua—a people paddling as one. Here, the ocean is more than a horizon; it’s a connection, a memory, a source of pride.
When calm returns and the canoes rest on shore, a quiet whisper remains—the wind on the water, the memory in people’s hearts. The Hawaiki Nui Va’a ends, but its echo continues, beating like a heart that never stops.
Practical Information
When: First week of the All Saints’ school holidays (3-day race)
Stages: Huahine → Ra’iātea → Taha’a → Bora Bora
Where to anchor: Fare (Huahine), Uturoa (Ra’iātea), Tapuamu (Taha’a), Vaitape (Bora Bora)
Good to know: Book early—accommodations and moorings fill up fast
Atmosphere: Music, dancing, markets, buffets, and festivities on every island
Not to miss: The start in Huahine and the triumphant finish in Bora Bora—two moments of pure Polynesian magic
