Hao Travel Information

Hao Information

Discovered by Pedro Fernández de Quirós in 1606, Hao, also named “the island of the arc” or “island of the harp” because of its configuration, has the shape of a crown placed on one of the largest Polynesian lagoons. Open to the ocean through the Kaki pass, the atoll area is about 40 square miles. Mussels,starfish,urchins and crustaceans are a small part of the coral reef population, where deep water fish mingle with smaller species in a fairytale mineral site. The atoll is made of numerous “motu” (islets), hosting pearl farms and holiday homes shaded by coconut trees and pandanus. Otepa, the main village on the northern islet is located 2 miles away from the airport and is home to marvellous, scented gardens.