Raiatea is the capital of the Leeward Islands, located 220km northwest of Tahiti. To the ancestors of today's Tahitians, Raiatea was known as Sacred Havai'i, and was the center of royalty, religion, culture and history. Enclosed within the lagoon surrounding Raiatea are beautiful beaches, coral gardens and the perfect location for sailing, deep sea fishing and scuba diving.
Raiatea, the sacred island, was considered to be the very cradle of Polynesian civilization (Havai'i) by her ancestors; the geographical heart of the ma'ohi culture (forming Hawaii-New Zealand-Easter island); and the birthplace of the god Oro (god of fertility and of war).

It was Oro who was attempting to overthrow Ta'aroa (god of creation) when the Europeans first arrived in this pacific triangle.