Maupiti

Maupiti is an island in the Leeward Islands in French Polynesia.

Understand

Maupiti is situated at the extreme west of the Society Islands, about 300 km from Tahiti and 40 km from Bora Bora. It is a small island with a surface of about 9 square km and about 1,200 inhabitants. It was discovered in 1722 by the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen. The island was hit by a heavy cyclone in 1997.

Maupiti's main attractions are the 5 motu (small islets): Motu Paeao, Motu Auira, Motu Tiapaa, Motu Pitihahai and Motu Tuanai.

Get in

By plane

Air Tahiti offers flights to Maupiti from

• Tahiti: M Tu W F Su (flight time 55 min)
• Bora Bora: F and Su (flight time 20 min)
• Raiatea: Tu F and Su (flight time 25 min)

The airport is on Motu Tuanai. The boat transfer by private taxi-boats to the main city takes 15 min.

By boat

Maupiti Express runs the Maupiti Express 2 from Bora Bora to Maupiti on Tu Th and Sa. Maupiti Express 2 leaves Vaitape on Bora Bora at 08:30 and arrives at Maupiti at 10:15, leaving Maupiti again at 16:00 and arriving at Bora Bora at 17:45. One-way fare is 3000 F (francs), return 4000 F (2009).

See

Maupiti has 30 archaeological sites which are clearly signposted. The temples (marae) of the gods covered the four corners of the island.

• Petroglyphs (in Haranane Valley). About 1 km north of the main village, then turn left. 
• Marae Vaiahu. 

Do

• Climb MountTeerefaatiu with exceptional views of Bora Bora and Raiatea (and Tahaa on clear days as well).

Go next

By plane

Air Tahiti offers flights from Maupiti to

• Tahiti: M Tu W F Su (flight time 55 min)
• Bora Bora: Su (flight time 20 min)
• Raiatea: Tu F and Su (flight time 25 min)

By boat

Maupiti Express runs the Maupiti Express 2 from Bora Bora to Maupiti on Tu Th and Sa. Maupiti Express 2 leaves Maupiti at 16:00 and arrives at Bora Bora at 17:45. One way fare is 3000 F, return 4000 F (2009).