Botanical gardenFrench Polynesia · PF
Raiatea Botanical Garden
Tucked along the banks of the Faaroa River on the sacred island of Raiatea, the Raiatea Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique de Faaroa) is a lush three-hectare green space showcasing the extraordinary plant diversity of this remote South Pacific island. Opened in its current form in 2021 after a major redevelopment, the garden offers free entry, well-marked trails, picnic areas, and the rare option of arriving by kayak or boat up Polynesia's only navigable river. Visitors encounter dense mape forests, towering alpinias and heliconias, fruit trees, mountain plants, and several endemic species found nowhere else on Earth—all framed by a backdrop of Raiatea's misty volcanic peaks. The garden is one of the island's most rewarding stops and pairs naturally with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Taputapuatea marae, just a short drive away.