Faie: Discover Sacred Eels and the Lagoon

Faie combines a distinctive natural feature with two notable places in its lagoon: the sacred eels, puhi tari’a, have blue eyes, and the village lagoon is also home to a pearl farm and a pottery workshop. This gives travelers interested in landscapes and nature specific points of interest, as well as a distinctive animal and pottery craft. As you plan, you can consider these themes side by side and decide what you’d especially like to discover in Faie.

Faie’s Sacred Eels

The puhi tari’a are a distinctive feature of the area: Faie’s sacred eels have blue eyes. Their name and this easily recognizable feature give this natural attraction a specific connection to Faie. If you enjoy learning what makes a destination distinctive, this is an interesting starting point for exploring the area and its special features.

The distinction between the two local highlights can also help when planning a trip together: the eels represent a natural feature, while the pearl farm and pottery workshop bring in crafts and pearl cultivation. This lets you discuss which of these facets appeals most to your travel group, without turning the information into a fixed itinerary.

Pearl Farm and Pottery Workshop in the Lagoon

The pearl farm and pottery workshop are located together in the lagoon of the village of Faie. Both can be reached from Faie Marina by motorized outrigger canoe. The transfer is free and takes two to three minutes; confirm the transfer details locally. The stated short travel time gives you a specific indication of the crossing, while you can plan your time there around your own interests.

Pearl cultivation and pottery can be considered as different themes that come together in the same place. If you’re interested in the pearl farm, the lagoon offers a specific connection to pearl cultivation. The workshop adds pottery to the mix. When choosing accommodation in Faie, it may therefore be useful to first consider how important these lagoon attractions are to your travel plans, alongside the distinctive sacred eels.

Windward Islands: Landscape and Culture in a Broader Context

Other places and landscapes in the broader Windward Islands destination add to the picture, but these features should not be attributed to Faie. Moorea is a short distance from Tahiti and can be reached from there by both sea and air. The island has rugged terrain and two deep bays, Cook Bay and Opunohu Bay; its landscape is markedly different from that of nearby Tahiti. Cook Bay, also called Paopao Bay, extends deep into Moorea’s interior like a tropical fjord. If you include Moorea in your travel plans, check the specific connections for your travel dates.

Tahiti also has its own landscape and historical highlights: Pointe Vénus is in the north of the island near Mahina and is known for its black sand beach and historic lighthouse. Papeete, the administrative center of French Polynesia, is considered a lively, colorful city with a range of culinary offerings. On Moorea, the historic open-air temples, the Marae of Opunohu, bear witness to the island’s pre-colonial past. These regional examples offer a broader perspective on landscapes, city life, and history in the Windward Islands destination.

Consider whether you’re specifically looking for a stay connected to Faie or whether the landscapes and cultural sites of the broader destination should also influence your choice. This lets you tailor your search to the themes that matter to you for your trip, without treating regional places as if they were part of Faie.

Discover more destinations: Fa'anui, Pātio, Tefareri'i, Uturoa, Opoa, Fare, Tapu'amu, Tevaitoa.

See the broader travel overview: Leeward Islands.