Cocobay Villa, Huahine – Review

You know that perfect little beach house you always see on Pinterest but can never actually find in real life? Well, I found it. Cocobay Villa in Huahine is exactly the kind of place I’ve been dreaming about—lush, peaceful, and so well-designed I was taking notes for my own house. I spent way too much time in the private pool and that incredible outdoor bathroom, and I can’t wait to show you why it’s the highlight of my trip.

Location and How To Get There

Cocobay Villa (well, soon to be villas!) is tucked away on the beautiful, tranquil island of Huahine in French Polynesia. The name literally means “woman,” and it’s actually thought to be the source of inspiration for the Disney film Moana.

Huahine is made up of two islands, Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti, which are connected by a small bridge you can easily drive across. When you’re arriving from abroad, you’ll fly into PPT (Papeete International Airport) in Tahiti and then hop on a short 40-minute flight with Air Tahiti or the newest domestic carrier, Air Moana. Both airlines are pretty similar in price, so it really just comes down to which flight time works best for your schedule. Air Tahiti has a larger network and offers those famous multi-island passes which can save you a ton of money if you’re planning to hit a few different spots. I believe Air Moana is now offering something similar, though it’s limited to the six islands they currently fly to.

cocobay villa huahine french polynesia — Flying in to Huahine

Once you land in Huahine, the villa is just a short 20-minute drive away. I definitely recommend renting a car for your stay. While there are some taxis, they’re few and far between, and you’ll have so much more freedom with your own set of wheels. Driving is a breeze here because there’s hardly any traffic and they drive on the right side of the road. I rented from Manatini Tours since they were one of the few companies with an automatic car available. We just paid in cash at the airport and had a great experience with them.

Check In Process

I’d been chatting with Abigail, Cocobay’s wonderful host, in the weeks leading up to our visit. Her family lives just behind the villa, which made the whole stay feel more personal and gave us peace of mind knowing they were close by if we ever needed anything.

Finding the villa on the drive from the airport was super easy. There’s really only one main road around the island, so it’s pretty hard to get lost! I’d already downloaded the offline version of Google Maps for Huahine so we could navigate without needing data, and since the villa is listed on the map, we just plugged it in and off we went.

Abigail gave me the door code ahead of time because she was just finishing up work, but she met us at the villa shortly after we arrived to walk us through all the features and answer any questions we had.

The Villa

Cocobay Villa is impeccably designed and furnished—I was honestly living out my interior design dreams during our stay! The front door opens up to a large, open plan kitchen that has everything you’d need if you want to cook your own meals or just prep some snacks and drinks to enjoy by the pool.

There’s a full refrigerator and bottom freezer, an oven and induction hob, plus a bunch of small appliances like a kettle, blender, and cafetière. There’s even a small island table that you can use for dining if you decide to forego the outdoor area. Wide doors from the kitchen open right out onto the terrace, which features a round dining table, a comfy beanbag, a bench, and of course, the star attraction—the private plunge pool!

I have to mention that this pool was clearly designed with functionality in mind, not just aesthetics. Unlike a lot of plunge pools that feel like an afterthought, this one has a deep end so you can actually stand, plus different levels of seating so you can just lounge and soak. The table is covered by a porch, which was wonderful during one rainy evening when we could sit outside comfortably and watch while the storm rolled in.

The kitchen flows into the large bedroom, which features a double bed as the centerpiece with cute hanging lamps on each side. There’s also a storage nook that we used for our suitcases and hanging clothes. The air conditioning unit was directly over the bed and worked incredibly well, which was a very pleasant surprise since many accommodations on the lesser known Polynesian islands don’t always have that luxury! The bed faces a wall mounted smart TV with all the streaming apps for winding down in the evening. There is also a large window seat looking out over the terrace and across to the lagoon just over the road. I loved how close the water was because you can see it right from the villa!

Now, the bathroom was what really blew me away. It is an indoor outdoor hybrid, and I was obsessed. While a lot of outdoor bathrooms I have seen are fun but offer zero privacy and leave you totally open to the elements, Cocobay has the perfect mix. It is walled in for privacy, but half of the ceiling is open to the sky, giving you a view of the stars and coconut trees at night. If it rains, the only parts that get wet are the shower and the living bathroom additions, which is a whole wall of tropical plants! With double vanities and a rainfall shower, the whole space feels more like a spa than an Airbnb.

Outside, in addition to that wonderful plunge pool, there is an outdoor shower made from a surfboard (beautifully painted by Abigail herself!) and a couple of sun loungers tucked into the tropical garden. There is also a large parking space right in front of the villa with waterfront access just across the road.

Facilities

The villa really has everything you would need during your stay. Abigail has curated the space so well that you’ll have every creature comfort you can think of. Whether you’re just making coffee or prepping a full meal, the extensive selection of kitchenware has you covered. You cannot drink the tap water here, but Abigail thoughtfully left us some filtered water for our arrival so we were set until we could hit the supermarket the next day.

There is even a washing machine and tumble dryer on-site, which was a happy surprise and a feature that not many rentals have these days. It means you can pack a bit lighter since you can do a quick load during your trip, or just stay on top of the laundry so you aren’t faced with a mountain of it when you get home. I feel like that is always the case on my trips, so it was a huge plus!

The private pool was a definite standout feature for me. Its usability made it our favourite spot to relax, whether it was day or night, thanks to the underwater LEDs that glow beautifully after dark.

I mentioned that the villa sits almost waterfront, and I loved that you can go from your bed to having your toes in the water in just a few steps. You do have to cross the road, but it is far from the traffic you see back in the States! You are honestly more likely to see a chicken in the road than a car. The villa comes equipped with kayaks that you can easily take out to explore the lagoon. There are some stunning coral gardens about a half hour paddle away. We actually managed to visit that area by boat during our stay and I can confirm it is some of the best snorkelling I have ever done, so it is well worth the trip out there, whether you go by kayak or boat.

Abigail’s family is also building a second villa next door, which would be an excellent choice if you are travelling with family or another couple. They are adjacent but still designed to give you your own private space to relax.

Activities

There is no shortage of things to do in Huahine, whether you are exploring by land or sea, but there are also a few things you can enjoy straight from the villa. The kayaks were fantastic, and being able to just carry them a few feet to the water to explore the lagoon and the coral gardens was such an added bonus.

Abigail also mentioned that they have a boat and offer short excursions around the lagoon to guests. Unfortunately, the boat was undergoing some repairs during our visit, but I am told the half-day private excursion involves snorkeling and a BBQ on the motu of Tefareii. It costs 70,000 XPF for up to three people. They also offer breakfast options that they can deliver right to the villa for 2,000 XPF.

Communication

I felt so well looked after from the moment I booked until the day we left. Abigail was such a fantastic host, and she was actually in touch with me long before the trip even started to make sure I had everything I needed. Having that kind of communication early on made the whole arrival process feel completely seamless.

She was also just a message away if I had any questions while we were there. She checked in on us a few times to make sure we were settled and offered to share some local recommendations, which was a lovely touch. She even made a point to swing by as we were heading out just to say goodbye in person.

Closing Remarks

We had such a wonderful time at Cocobay Villa, and honestly, the whole experience is what made us fall in love with Huahine. The space really did feel like home, and we were so sad to leave when the time came.

The villa is exactly the kind of little beach shack I’d been dreaming about, and I spent way too much time in that outdoor bathroom and the private plunge pool. I’m already planning our trip back because Huahine completely stole our hearts, and I’d book Cocobay Villa again in a heartbeat. It’s one of those rare places that stays with you long after you’ve left, and I honestly can’t imagine staying anywhere else when we return.

Ready to book Cocobay Villa? Click here!

You can find out more about my stay on my “Huahine” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

Disclosure: chasetherainbows.com participates in affiliate advertising programs as a way to earn revenue. Some links to products and services are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you click an affiliate link and finalize a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.