Heavenly Maupiti Island – tropical dreams are made of this…
Last updated on May 20th, 2026 at 10:22 am
The heavenly secret is out, but I still rate Maupiti as off the beaten path – for now. Maupiti Island is a petit paradise – on steroids. It was my favorite place in the Society Islands of French Polynesia!
I just loved it here. The clearest water, empty white beaches fringed with lush palms, sharks and manta rays, hiking, snorkeling, fresh coconut and mangos….It really is a little slice of paradise!
Where is Maupiti?
Maupiti is one of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. It is north-west of Tahiti and west of its closest neighbor, Bora Bora. It is a tiny 11km2 island (7m2) and is still a very authentic Polynesian island – totally unlike its very commercial neighbor Bora Bora.
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Plan for your trip to Maupiti
Flights – use skyscanner to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or Tripadvisor, or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use all three.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Hikes and walks – sign up to AllTrails for offline maps and guides to the best walks in the area
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What to do in Maupiti
You could come to Maupiti and do nothing but swim, snorkel and lie in a hammock under a palm sipping a coconut, but there are a few other things that definitely should tempt you into a bit more action. This is my list of things you can do if you can get yourself out of the hammock….
1. Climb to the top of Mt. Teurafaatiu
What a perfect morning it was – dry and no wind with a little mountain to climb! The walk itself was really pleasant through a mix of forest, open grass and rocky outcrops, and ripe mangoes on the way. Mangoes being my favourite food meant this was going to get a top rating even without a view.
The track is not difficult, but quite steep, until the final ascent where you have to use conveniently placed ropes to get to the very top. (Not for those with mobility or balance issues.) As for the view – not enough superlatives for it – absolutely incredible (see the pic above).
Take water and take your time. Allow 2-3 hours of walking, and make sure you allow time to just sit with the view – and eat mangos, if its the season! The AllTrails map is here.
2. Spend a day at Tereia Beach – swim, snorkel, kayak
I’m not sure if this is the most idyllic beach in the world – but it surely comes close! Its the water really – genuinely the definition of crystal clear – and the colour wows you from the start. The beautiful sandy stretch of a beach backed by grassy space laden with palm trees helps as well of course. It is perfect!
Walk to the island, (Motu Auira), across from the beach and you should see rays and small black tipped (harmless) sharks as you go. You may even see the manta rays near the island. The water is thigh deep all the way – about 20 mins of blissful wading.
I saw some complaints that this beach didn’t have shade and wasn’t deep enough for a day at the beach. We are not in Europe with crowds of umbrellas and deckchairs and people – no! Take a towel and lie in the shade of a tree. Wade out and enjoy the crystal clear water – there’s enough to play in.
You can also rent a kayak from Pension Espace Beach, next door to the little cafe ‘Chez Mimi’ and paddle you way over. What could be better? Nothing – except swimming with mantas!
3. Take a lagoon tour – snorkel the coral garden and swim with mantas!
Every place with accommodation on Maupiti will arrange or offer a lagoon tour. I was on the island while sailing so of course we did our own lagoon tours, but if you have arrived by plane or ferry I would say this is a must-do to get to the coral garden for snorkelling and to the manta cleaning station!
The coral garden is beautiful. Make sure you ask your guide where the garden is exactly as you need to go over some shallower, not very interesting, coral areas to get to the deeper and vibrant coral garden. Its worth the effort!
Just be aware the manta cleaning station is in an area with a fast current so you need to be able to swim and should have fins. The water here is also not always as clear as other places so don’t expect the same. It is still worth watching these gentle giants – always! Of course you may see mantas in other areas where they do hang out – ask your tour company first so you know what to expect.
3a. Traditional Tahitian oven cooked lunch!
On Saturdays, your pension or tour operator will probably offer an extension of the lagoon tour to include meeting with other pensions and locals for lunch on a motu (island). Lunch will be cooked in the traditional Tahitian oven. So if you are there on a Saturday – bonus!
4. Hire a bike and circumnavigate the island
This is just an absolute fun way of spending a few hours seeing the island giving you time to smell the beautiful flowers and say “bonjour” to the locals. Apart from one hill, which wasn’t so bad (even if I did push the bike the last part), the road is basically flat.
Take your time to see and smell the famous local tiare flowers – they are farmed for perfume so do stop and breathe. Stop and swim at Tereia Beach, visit the petroglyphs and Le Palais de la Mer (coming up in 5 and 6), and take in the island at a leisurely pace. The AllTrails map is here.
5. Stop at archeological sites on the way
There are some interesting archaeological remains in Maupiti. Two worth visiting are the Vahihau marae (temple) on the beach near Pension Taravanui, and, some very well preserved petroglyphs in Haranae Valley – 2 crabs and 2 turtles.
The marae is a true national monument. Nine kings were enthroned here. There is also a flat stone near the lagoon – this was used to execute those that didn’t obey the king. There is a map showing where these historic sites are – your pension should have one.
6. Visit Ah-ki at his Sea Palace – Le Palais de la Mer
Enter through the “door of Dreams” into this magical sea palace!
There I was puffing away on my push bike when I saw this…..dazzling white vision. You simply can’t bike (walk, drive, scooter) past this place without going in. Ah-ki turned out to be a wonderful host, as well as an incredible artist and singer – he is a well known singer in the islands. The whole thing he has made from shells – millions of shells. Its incredible!
Ah-ki has spent 30 years building his astounding sea palace – from conches, to corals, to tiny white shells – spires, hearts, flutes and suns. He will bring it all to life with his stories and song and humor. It is one of the most entertaining 1000 CFP (about $10) I have ever spent! Oh – and the entrance fee comes with a free woven hat.
7. Dive or kitesurf
I do neither, but you might! Maupiti diving will take you for a magic dive with the mantas and can take you outside the reef – when the sea state is good. Rave reviews – and mantas are always magic.
The lagoon is good for kiting – and people were when i was there, but it seems that they brought their own gear. Still, pack it up and bring it with you! The trade winds are at their best from June to October.
8. Play pétanque with the locals!
No I didn’t do this either, but my friend did and had a great time with the very friendly locals being totally welcoming. So if pétanque is your thing, head to the field by the pier at 4pm where the locals meet every day!
9. Swim with whales – in the season
Only during the season from mid-July to November (when the whales have swum to these warm waters to give birth), and only if the weather / sea state is right, you can go on a tour with one of the tour operators, or your pension, to swim with these beautiful whales.
Frequently asked questions about travel to Maupiti?
Q: When is the best time to go to Maupiti
A: Maupiti has a tropical climate with average year round temperatures between 24 and 30C (76 to 80 F). The dry season from May to October is when you should aim to go, although any time of year is ok as there are no cyclones in this area – just more rain.
If you go in June / July you will also hopefully get to see some of the Heiva Festival which is a big month long cultural festival on the islands and the most authentic you will see anywhere in the Pacific – not remotely like a dance show at a resort put on for tourists.
Q: How many days do you need in Maupiti?
A: 3-4 days for the main activities on the island, but longer if you want to chill out and have beach time on a non touristy island.
Q: Can you swim with manta rays in Maupiti?
A: Yes! They live in the lagoon year- round but are best seen between May and October in the dry season when the water is at its clearest and calmest. Mantas are usually seen at the cleaning stations in the morning – between 9.00 – 11.00am.
Q: Is Maupiti cheaper than Bora Bora?
A: Yes once you are on the island it definitely is, but flights to get there can be pricey.
Q: What Language do they speak on Maupiti?
A: French and the local Tahitian language – and hardly anyone (if anyone) speaks English. BUT they are so kind and friendly it wont matter if you don’t speak French! You will be ‘bonjour-ed’ all around the island no matter what.
Q: What money do they use on Maupiti?
A: The French Pacific Franc, also known as the CFP Franc (XPF). Exchange money in Tahiti – there is an exchange at the airport or use your card to get cash from an ATM. There are a few in Tahiti but none in Maupiti. Credit cards are also widely accepted in Tahiti but not many places at all take them in Maupiti – bring CFP cash.
Q: How do I get to Maupiti?
A: You can fly, ferry – or sail of course!
The ferry – the Maupiti Express II runs to Maupiti from Bora Bora. You will have to call to reserve. this has been an on-again, off-again ferry service so do check well before you book any accommodation in case it is not running.
The other way to get there is with Air Tahiti from Tahiti. Fares start at around 300€ each way, but change according to season and availability. At the time of writing, there are four flights a week, but that could easily change too.
The flight from Tahiti takes 55 minutes. The airport in Maupiti is situated on an ‘offshore’ motu (island) Tuanai and a shuttle boat service will take you to the main village from the airport in about 25 minutes. You pay 750 CFP (about 8.50€ / $9) on the boat at the time of writing! Some hotels arrange their own pick up so check, otherwise bring cash.
Travel Tips for Maupiti?
- Book accommodation well in advance. It is limited and does book out. Don’t expect Bora Bora luxury – this is much more authentic island living!
- Stay at least three nights so as not to be rushed.
- Exchange money in Tahiti and bring cash to Maupiti – not many places will take cards.
- Start the Mount Teurafaatiu hike early to avoid the heat. And plan to rent a bike on the island – its a great way to cruise around!
- Bring reef shoes and insect repellent!
Where to stay on Maupiti
Accommodation is either in family-operated pensions, camping, or there are a few easy-going self-catering options. You can stay on the main island or one of the motus (islands closely offshore from the main island on the edge of the lagoon).
Poemanahere Island Camping à Maupiti is hugely popular. It is offshore in a divine location (trust me I have been) where you can borrow a kayak or walk across the lagoon to the mainland and Tereia Beach. It is more cabinas or glamping rather than camping. Take a look.
Pension Maupiti Island is a new homestay nearby Poemanahere Island Camping, so could be worth looking into as well.
Pension Taputea is in a great location near the village which makes it easy to get to everything. Penu Maurua 1 and Penu Maurua 2 are also nicely located on the main island with sea views and not far from the village.
Hei Maurua is also nearby and popular with free bikes and a lovely garden to relax in.
Te Fare Ninamu has rave reviews for authenticity and is located on Motu Tuanui – over the bay from the main island and village. They have shuttles so you can get to and fro to the main island.
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