Things to Do in Maupiti

The island

Maupiti, far from everything.
Close to what matters.

40 km west of Bora Bora, Maupiti is the smallest inhabited island of the Leeward Islands of French Polynesia. Dominated by Mount Nuupure (380 m), surrounded by a coral reef and five white-sand motus, it is home to around 1,300 residents. No hotel, no resort: visitors stay at family guesthouses, eat Polynesian food and live at the pace of the Pacific.

Maupiti's lagoon is accessible only through a single navigable pass, Onoiau, to the west. Its shallow turquoise waters are home to one of the most important manta ray sites in the entire South Pacific. Unlike Bora Bora or Raiatea, the island has deliberately limited tourist development, a choice that preserves the lagoon, the marine life and an almost intact Polynesian way of life.

11 km² Island area

1,300 Residents

40 km From Bora Bora

27°C Water year-round

The lagoon

Manta rays,
coral and clear water

Maupiti's lagoon is among the best-preserved marine ecosystems in French Polynesia. White-spotted manta rays (Mobula alfredi) frequent its shallow waters year-round, visible from the surface at just 2 to 3 metres depth, with no need to dive to approach them.

Snorkeling in the coral garden reveals exceptional biodiversity: surgeonfish, parrotfish, moray eels, green sea turtles, and in season, blacktip reef sharks. Underwater visibility regularly exceeds 20 metres during the dry season. Maupiti ranks among the finest snorkeling spots in French Polynesia.

Unlike Bora Bora or Moorea, there are no overwater bungalows, no commercial pontoons, no hotel infrastructure lining the lagoon. The coral is intact. The passes are free. The lagoon has remained what it always was.

See our lagoon tours

Getting there

How to reach Maupiti

Access to Maupiti is deliberately limited: a single navigable pass into the lagoon and limited air links, which has helped keep the island free from mass tourism.

01 ✈️

From Papeete (Tahiti)

Air Tahiti direct flight, approximately 55 minutes. Several rotations per week depending on the season. Main entry point for travellers coming from Tahiti.

02 ✈️

From Bora Bora

Air Tahiti inter-island flight, approximately 20 minutes. Ideal for combining Bora Bora and Maupiti in a single Leeward Islands trip: the two islands pair naturally.

03 ⛵

Ferry from Raiatea

The Apetahi Express ferry (Tuatea Ferries) serves Maupiti from Raiatea, with stops at Taha'a and Bora Bora. Crossing of approximately 4 hours from Bora Bora. Schedules at tuateaferries.com.

Weather

When to visit Maupiti

The lagoon is accessible year-round, but conditions vary by season.

☀️

Best time

Dry season

May to October

Moderate trade winds, clear skies, calm seas. Water at 26-27°C, underwater visibility up to 25 metres. Ideal conditions for observing manta rays and snorkeling in Maupiti's lagoon.

🌧️

Accessible year-round

Wet season

November to April

Warmer water (28-30°C) and summer temperatures. Manta rays remain in the lagoon year-round. Tours run on most days, with occasional rain. Quieter off-season with fewer visitors on the island.

The essentials

What makes Maupiti unique

🌊

An intact lagoon

No commercial pontoons, no overwater bungalows, no construction along the shore. Maupiti's coral reef is one of the best-preserved in French Polynesia: the passes are free, the seabed undisturbed, the marine biodiversity intact.

🦈

Manta rays, year-round

Maupiti is one of the rare lagoons in the Pacific where manta rays are present all year. Observed from the surface, at 2 to 3 metres depth, without cages or bait. Sea turtles, reef sharks and parrotfish complete this natural marine sanctuary.

🌴

Authentic local life

No hotel, no resort: in Maupiti, visitors stay at family guesthouses, eat Polynesian food and get around by scooter on the road that circles the island. Its 1,300 residents live at the pace of the Pacific, and mass tourism has never had a place here.

🏔️

Mont Teurafaatiu

The 380m volcanic peak dominates the island and lagoon. Its hiking trail, accessible from the village, offers a panoramic view over all the motus and the reef. Allow 1h30 round trip for one of the finest viewpoints in French Polynesia.

Activities

From manta ray snorkeling to hikes above the lagoon, here are the unmissable experiences of a stay in Maupiti.

On the lagoon

🐟

Swimming with manta rays

White-spotted manta rays (Mobula alfredi) inhabit Maupiti's lagoon year-round in waters up to 8 metres deep. They cruise halfway between the surface and the bottom, making them perfectly visible from above while snorkeling — no diving required. The feeding zones near the Onoiau pass are the best spots. Our boat tours depart at 8:15am, when the mantas are most active in the morning.

🤿

Snorkeling the coral garden

Maupiti's coral garden is one of the most pristine reefs in French Polynesia: a very shallow area (1.8 metres maximum) teeming with surgeonfish, parrotfish, moray eels, blacktip reef sharks (completely harmless) and stingrays. Underwater visibility regularly exceeds 20 metres in the dry season. Accessible only by boat and included in all our lagoon tours.

🏝️

Picnic on a motu

The five white-sand motus surrounding Maupiti's lagoon are accessible by boat only. Our full-day tour includes a meal prepared directly on the motu — grilled fish, local fruit — in a setting that can go weeks without a single visitor. An experience hard to match anywhere in Polynesia.

🎣

Traditional Polynesian fishing

Maupiti has been a fishing island for generations. Our fishing trip keeps it simple: a line, a weight, a hook and a small fish as bait. You fish from the boat near the pass, where the depth draws in the bigger fish. A full day on the lagoon, ending with local fruit and homemade coconut bread made by Ariihau.

On the island

🏔️

Hiking Mount Teurafaatiu

The 380-metre volcanic peak offers what is probably the finest 360° view in all of French Polynesia: lagoon, motus, reef and the Leeward Islands as far as the eye can see. The trail starts from the village of Vaiea, but the ascent is serious: very steep sections, some scrambling and exposed passages. Fixed handrails are in place on the most technical parts. Not recommended for young children or elderly visitors. Proper closed hiking shoes and a large water bottle are essential. Set off early in the morning to avoid the worst of the sun exposure. Allow around 3 hours return at a relaxed pace. Free and accessible without a guide.

🚲

Bike tour of the island

A single circular road loops around the main island over exactly 8.4 km. Bikes are available to rent on the island. Allow around 1h30 with stops to take in the scenery. Along the way: beaches, the village of Vaiea, ancient marae stone temples, and a glimpse of the daily life of an island that has chosen to stay exactly as it is. One section to watch out for: the cross-island road climbs steeply enough that most people will need to get off and push, followed by a descent of at least 20% gradient where it is safer to walk the bike down too.

🏖️

Tereia beach

Facing Motu Auira, Tereia beach can be reached on foot by wading across the lagoon from the main island. Crystal-clear shallow water, white sand, usually completely deserted. It is also the island's main food spot: the legendary snack bar Chez Mimi and the food truck Mariana Grill both serve meals here. One of the finest beaches in the Leeward Islands, a short walk from the village.

See all our lagoon tours

Maupiti, far from everything.Close to what matters.

Manta rays,coral and clear water