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Maupiti

Bora Bora’s discreet little sister, Maupiti is one of the most ravishing islands in French Polynesia. There’s a shimmering lagoon with every hue from lapis lazuli to turquoise, a perfect ring of islets girdled with sand bars, palm trees leaning over the shore and large coral gardens. Although this little charmer is no longer a secret, it still remains a hideaway where visitors come to absorb the lazy lifestyle. There’s only one road and virtually no cars, just bikes; there are no showy resorts, just a smattering of family-run pensions where visitors can sample delicious local-style meals and genuinely interact with their hosts. And when you want to play, there's just the right amount of activities to keep you buzzing, from walking and lagoon excursions to diving and kayaking.

Explore Maupiti

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Tereia Beach
A more scenic spot you’d be hard pressed to find. Here the lagoon is crystal clear and the bone-white beach is nearly all sand (no smashed coral or broken…
H
Haranae Petroglyphs
Maupiti has some interesting petroglyphs etched into boulders in a rocky riverbed. The most impressive is a turtle image. To reach the petroglyphs, head…
M
Marae Vaiahu
Maupiti’s most important marae (traditional temple) features a large coastal site covered with coral slabs and a fish box. Made of four coral blocks set…
V
Vaiea
The village spreads along the east coast and is dominated by a sharp ridge running from north to south. Neat houses, brightened with hibiscus, are strung…
M
Motu Auira
There’s an important melon-production plantation on Motu Auira, as well as a lovely coral sand beach. At low tide you can reach it from the mainland by…
M
Motu Tuanai
The airport and a couple of pensions are found on Motu Tuanai, another picture-friendly islet. However, the lagoon is shallow along this motu, which doesn…
M
Motu Tiapaa
Motu Tiapaa has beautiful, sandy, white beaches and good snorkelling on its ocean and lagoon sides. It’s also the most developed motu, with several…
M
Motu Pitihahei
If you have a kayak, you can paddle to this completely isolated motu, but be sure to steer way to the north of Onoiau Pass, which is very dangerous due to…
M
Motu Paeao
Motu Paeao, at the northern end of the lagoon, is ideal for swimming and snorkelling, with fabulous coral gardens and jade waters.

T
Tereia Beach
A more scenic spot you’d be hard pressed to find. Here the lagoon is crystal clear and the bone-white beach is nearly all sand (no smashed coral or broken…
H
Haranae Petroglyphs
Maupiti has some interesting petroglyphs etched into boulders in a rocky riverbed. The most impressive is a turtle image. To reach the petroglyphs, head…
M
Marae Vaiahu
Maupiti’s most important marae (traditional temple) features a large coastal site covered with coral slabs and a fish box. Made of four coral blocks set…
V
Vaiea
The village spreads along the east coast and is dominated by a sharp ridge running from north to south. Neat houses, brightened with hibiscus, are strung…
M
Motu Auira
There’s an important melon-production plantation on Motu Auira, as well as a lovely coral sand beach. At low tide you can reach it from the mainland by…
M
Motu Tuanai
The airport and a couple of pensions are found on Motu Tuanai, another picture-friendly islet. However, the lagoon is shallow along this motu, which doesn…
M
Motu Tiapaa
Motu Tiapaa has beautiful, sandy, white beaches and good snorkelling on its ocean and lagoon sides. It’s also the most developed motu, with several…
M
Motu Pitihahei
If you have a kayak, you can paddle to this completely isolated motu, but be sure to steer way to the north of Onoiau Pass, which is very dangerous due to…
M
Motu Paeao
Motu Paeao, at the northern end of the lagoon, is ideal for swimming and snorkelling, with fabulous coral gardens and jade waters.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Maupiti.

See
Tereia Beach
A more scenic spot you’d be hard pressed to find. Here the lagoon is crystal clear and the bone-white beach is nearly all sand (no smashed coral or broken…
See
Haranae Petroglyphs
Maupiti has some interesting petroglyphs etched into boulders in a rocky riverbed. The most impressive is a turtle image. To reach the petroglyphs, head…
See
Marae Vaiahu
Maupiti’s most important marae (traditional temple) features a large coastal site covered with coral slabs and a fish box. Made of four coral blocks set…
See
Vaiea
The village spreads along the east coast and is dominated by a sharp ridge running from north to south. Neat houses, brightened with hibiscus, are strung…
See
Motu Auira
There’s an important melon-production plantation on Motu Auira, as well as a lovely coral sand beach. At low tide you can reach it from the mainland by…
See
Motu Tuanai
The airport and a couple of pensions are found on Motu Tuanai, another picture-friendly islet. However, the lagoon is shallow along this motu, which doesn…
See
Motu Tiapaa
Motu Tiapaa has beautiful, sandy, white beaches and good snorkelling on its ocean and lagoon sides. It’s also the most developed motu, with several…
See
Motu Pitihahei
If you have a kayak, you can paddle to this completely isolated motu, but be sure to steer way to the north of Onoiau Pass, which is very dangerous due to…
See
Motu Paeao
Motu Paeao, at the northern end of the lagoon, is ideal for swimming and snorkelling, with fabulous coral gardens and jade waters.

Guidebooks

Learn more about Maupiti

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