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Tahiti Polynesia 8 Maupiti
Tahiti Polynesia 8 Maupiti
MAUPITI 166
Maupiti
Close your eyes. And just imagine. You land on a strip of coral by the sea, you are garlanded
at the traditional welcome with tiare by a smiling-eyed islander. There’s a small, white-
sand beach lapped by luxuriously warm waters, a shimmering lagoon with every hue from
lapis lazuli to turquoise, white clouds billowing in a deep-blue sky, a perfect ring of islets
girdled with sandbars, palm trees leaning over the shore and large coral gardens packed
with rainbow-coloured species. Brochure material? No, just routine in Maupiti. Bora Bora’s
little sister, this impossibly scenic creation of basalt and coconut trees has all you need to
throw your cares away.
Unlike its glamorous neighbour, Maupiti has managed to hold on to that slow-down-it’s-
the-South-Pacific feeling, and that’s why it’s gaining in popularity. There’s only one road
and virtually no cars, just bikes; there are no showy resorts, just a smattering of family-run
pensions, which ensures your money goes straight into local pockets. In this Bounty-licious
paradise, everything is small and personable, and that’s the beauty of it.
Many visitors come here simply to relax, but if working your suntan ceases to do it for you,
there are walks, lagoon excursions and snorkelling to keep you buzzing. And divers get spoiled
too, with almost daily appearances of a corps de ballet of manta rays in the lagoon.
Try to visit both Bora Bora and Maupiti, because they perfectly complement each other.
Thus, you’ll get the full Polynesian picture – a subtle combination of glamour, sea-scented
sensuality and barefoot tranquillity.
HIGHLIGHTS
MAUPITI
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO…
Maupiti has no ATMs and credit cards are only accepted at a couple of pensions, so you’ll
need to bring enough cash to cover your entire bill, plus a little extra for surprise add-ons.
Beware of tricky currents when snorkelling or kayaking near Onoiau Pass (where a few of the
pensions are).
The most enjoyable way to get around on the main island is by bicycle.
Maupiti has no resorts; digs are in simple family guesthouses.
Restaurants are also pretty much nonexistent, so unless you’re the completely self-sufficient
type, opt for demi-pension (half board) or pension complète (full board) at your guesthouse. It
costs extra but the food is usually delicious and served family-style.
Although you might be offered beverages throughout the day, don’t expect these to be free,
even if you’re on a meal plan.
0 2 km
MAUPITI 0 1 mile
ὄὄὄὄ
ὄὄὄ
A B C D
Te Area
16 Pass
False
Pass
Farauru 1
1
Church 4
Coral Motu
Primary School Garden Tuanai
10 Motu
ὄὄὄὄ
ὄὄὄ
18 Maupiti
Paeao Airport
Vaiea
9
14
Airport
Place
Mt Hotu
Paraoa
(250m)
ὄὄὄὄ
ὄὄὄ
2 Mt Hotu 3
17 Ae
Haranae
Valley
19 Maupiti
0 200m
0 0.1 miles Mt Teurafaatiu 12
(380m)
8 15
Tereia 6
Motu Auira
ὄὄὄὄ
ὄὄὄ
Beach
Atipiti
Tereia Bay
Pt 2
INFORMATION See
Mairie (Town Hall)..............................1 A1 Enlargement
3 Post Office.......................................(see 1)
ὄὄὄὄ
ὄὄὄ
SLEEPING
Fare Paeao – Chez Jeanine..................4 C1 Underwater
Kuriri Village...................................... 5 D4 Trail
Maupiti Residence..............................6 B3 Manta
Point 13
Maupiti Village.................................. 7 D4 EATING 7
Pension Auira – Chez Edna.................8 B3 Snack Tarona....................................16 A1 11
Pension Eri.........................................9 A2 5
Pension Mareta – Chez Manu...........10 A1 SHOPPING
4 Pension Papahani – Chez Vilna........ 11 D4 Vaitia Artisanat................................ 17 C2
Motu
Tiapaa Maupiti's
Pension Poe Iti – Chez Gérald & Vertigo
Motu
Joséphine..................................... 12 D2 TRANSPORT Pitihahei
Pension Rose des Îles....................... 13 D4 Air Tahiti..........................................(see 1)
Onoiau
Pension Terama...............................14 D2 Airport Boat Quay............................18 A1 Pass
Tautiare Village................................15 C3 Main Boat Quay (Maupiti Express 2)..19 A2
north to south. Neat houses, brightened with riverbed. The biggest and most impressive is a
hibiscus, are strung along the road and they turtle image on a flat boulder to the right of a
often have uru (breadfruit) trees shading the placid spring. To reach the petroglyphs, head
family tombs fronting many of them. Inland, north out of the village and round the point
the terrain climbs steeply up to the summit of before passing the basketball court near the
Mt Teurafaatiu (380m). church. You’re now in the Haranae Valley; on
The following tour starts in the village and the mountainside and just after a green house
proceeds around the island in an anticlock- is a track heading inland. Follow it for 200m
wise direction. It’s a good idea to rent a bike as to a small pumping station, and then follow
there’s only one road and no traffic, plus the the rocky riverbed. After only 100m, on the
terrain is flat and distances are short (10km left, you’ll find the petroglyphs.
maximum for the complete loop around
the island). Tereia Beach
A more enchanting spot you’d be hard pressed
Petroglyphs to find. Fringed by a sparkling turquoise la-
Maupiti has some interesting and easily viewed goon and backed by willowy palm trees, Tereia
petroglyphs etched into boulders in a rocky Beach is undisputedly the most beautiful spot
lonelyplanet.com MAU P I T I • • A c t i v i t i e s 169
MAUPITI
and crystal clear, and the bone-white beach ECO-SNORKELLING –
is nearly all sand (no smashed coral or bro- THE ‘UNDERWATER TRAIL’
ken rock). There are no facilities or vendors The sentier sous-marin (underwater trail) set
here, just sand and sun. If you’re with your up in 2008 by Maupiti Nautique (% 67
sweetheart, come here at sunset; as the sun- 83 80; www.maupiti-nautique.com) is an eco-
set sky deepens to orange, the spot becomes friendly and informative approach to the
downright romantic. lagoon. It consists of five buoys that were in-
From Tereia Beach it’s easy to wade across stalled in an area to the south of the island.
the lagoon to Motu Auira during low tide. Each buoy is equipped with interpretative
panels focusing on the lagoon ecosystem.
Marae Vaiahu You swim from one buoy to another under
History buffs will enjoy visiting Marae Vaiahu, the guidance of the instructor, who’ll be
Maupiti’s most important marae, which fea- happy to answer your questions. It’s a great
tures a large coastal site covered with coral chance to get really well acquainted with
slabs and a fish box. Made of four coral blocks marine life. It costs 3000 CFP (snorkelling
set edgewise in the form of a rectangle, with gear included) and lasts 1½ hours. Children
a fifth serving as a lid, the box was used for over six are welcome.
ceremonial purposes to ensure successful fish-
ing. Four fish kings are represented on the
sides of the box. It’s signposted, northwest of Snorkelling, Kayaking & Lagoon
the main quay. Excursions
Maupiti’s magnificent lagoon is gin-clear,
ACTIVITIES bath-warm and filled with all manner of tropi-
For such a small island, there’s quite a lot cal marine life, from schools of butterflyfish
of options to keep you active on land and and parrotfish to manta rays and banks of
at sea. flame-coloured coral. The best snorkelling sites
are the reefs stretching north of Onoiau Pass
Hiking (but beware of the currents) and Motu Paeao.
It’s a fairly tough climb to reach Mt Hotu Paraoa Most guesthouses have masks and snorkels
(250m), the impressive rocky wall that looms you can borrow. The pensions also run lagoon
above the village. On a clear day you can see tours that include stops for snorkelling. These
all the way to Bora Bora. The trail begins near trips cost between 3000 CFP and 5500 CFP,
Pension Eri and is marked with painted ar- depending on their duration and whether a
rows (although sometimes they can be a bit picnic is offered.
hard to find). There’s one steep section where Sea kayaking is another popular activity of
you’ll need to use your hands to clamber up, the DIY variety. Paddling around the quiet
and nearly the entire route is shaded. Count lagoon offers the chance to discover hidden
on one hour. coves, search for leopard and manta rays or
The ascent of Mt Teurafaatiu (380m) is even just put down the oar, lie back and sunbathe.
more vigorous, but the 360-degree panorama Most places to stay either rent or offer free sea
at the summit worth the effort. Ribbons of kayaks for guests’ use.
deep blue water flecked with turquoise and Maupiti Nautique (see below) also offers
sapphire, islets girdled with brilliant scimitars snorkelling trips to the manta rays’ cleaning
of white sand, lagoons mottled with coral for- station.
mations, and Bora Bora in the background…
hallucinogenic. The track starts virtually op- Diving
posite Snack Tarona and the climb is shaded At last, there’s diving in Maupiti! There’s one
for most of the way. The most difficult part professional diving operator on the island,
is towards the end, with a climb up steep rock Maupiti Nautique (%67 83 80; www.maupiti-nautique
required to get to the ridge. Allow three hours .com), which opened in 2008. And what diving:
for the return trip and be sure to bring plenty there aren’t many places in the world where
of drinking water. you can dive on a manta rays’ cleaning station,
It’s best to go with a guide – contact your where cleaner wrasses feed on parasites from
pension for securing one (about 3000 CFP). the mantas’ wings, in less than 6m of water.
170 MAU P I T I • • M a u p i t i F o r C h i l d re n Book your stay at lonelyplanet.com/hotels
‘In principle, they’re here every morning, but the village you won’t pay very much and you
MAUPITI
sightings can’t be guaranteed,’ advised the won’t get very much – a sort of win-win. The
dive instructor. There are also outstanding three rooms are threadbare and share a cold-
dive sites outside the lagoon, but they aren’t water bathroom. Guests may use the cooking
always accessible due to the strong currents facilities for an extra 300 CFP or order a meal
and swell in the pass. See p69 for more infor- (about 2000 CFP). It might be noisy at week-
mation on diving on Maupiti. ends if a bringue (local party) is organised on
Single dive trips or introductory dives the premises.
cost 6000 CFP including gear and two-tank Pension Eri (%67 81 29; r per person incl breakfast/
trips are 11,500 CFP. An open-water course half board 3000/5000 CFP) Just a place to lay your
costs 40,000 CFP. The dive-and-whale-watch head, with four smallish, no-frills rooms. A
combination is great value at 11,000 CFP. fan and a bed (alas, saggy mattress), and that’s
Cash only. about it.
Tautiare Village (%67 83 58; www.maupitiisland
Whale & Dolphin Watching .com/tautiare/index.html; r per person incl breakfast/half
Apparently, humpback whales find Maupiti board 6000/8500 CFP) An unfussy pension with an
attractive too. Every year during the austral unpretentious appeal. Its dual attractions are
winter, from mid-July to October, they frolic its affordable rates and the spotlessness of
off Maupiti’s barrier reef. Whale-watching the five adjoining rooms, equipped with big,
trips are available through the local dive op- hot-water bathrooms. They are set on grassy
erator, Maupiti Nautique (%67 83 80; www.maupiti garden areas and face the lagoon, but don’t get
-nautique.com). You may have the privilege of too excited: swimming is not that tempting
swimming right alongside these graceful gi- here due to shallow (and sometimes murky)
ants, but don’t stress them and follow the waters, but Tereia beach is just a 10-minute
guide’s instructions. Dolphins can be spotted walk away.
all year round along the reef. A three-hour Maupiti Residence (%67 82 61; maupiti.residence@
excursion costs 7000 CFP. mail.pf; bungalows 12,000-16,000 CFP; ai) To all
wannabe artists reading this: set your crea-
MAUPITI FOR CHILDREN tive retreat here, because the location, right
Bring the kids! Just focus on the outdoors: on Tereia Beach, is to die for. While hardly
snorkelling and swimming (there are some glitzy, the two villas (one more should have
really shallow waters, especially near Tereia been built by the time you read this) contain
Beach and Motu Tiapaa). The sentier sous- enough room to accommodate a small troupe
marin (p169) is accessible to children over six. and exemplify functional simplicity with a
Better yet, whale-watching trips are thrilling living room, two bedrooms, a terrace that
for all ages. delivers full frontal lagoon views and a fully
equipped kitchen. Perks include free bicycles
SLEEPING and kayaks, hot water, DVD player, daily
Your biggest decision: staying on a motu or on cleaning service, air-con (add 500 CFP), TV
the main island? For the full Robinson Crusoe and washing machine, making this one of the
experience, places on the motu are hard to best-value stays you’ll have. You can order
beat. Be prepared to feel a bit captive, though, breakfast (1100 CFP) and have your lunch or
except if you’re ready to paddle to the village dinner delivered to your bungalow. There’s a
or pay anything from 500 CFP to 1500 CFP 15% drop in price if you stay more than three
for a transfer by boat. If island life is your top nights. The secret’s out, so book early. Credit
priority, stay on the main island. Better yet: cards are accepted.
combine the two options!
The Motu
The Main Island Places listed here offer plenty of remote and
Guesthouses are all either right on the lagoon tropical tranquillity, but you’ll need to ar-
or very close to it, but only Maupiti Residence range a trip to the mainland to visit a shop
has a beach. of any kind.
Pension Mareta – Chez Manu (%67 82 32; chez Pension Auira – Chez Edna (%/fax 67 80 26; Motu
manu@mail.pf; r per person without bathroom 3000 CFP) Auira; campsites per person 2000 CFP, bungalows with half
In this family-run venture in the centre of board per person 7500-9000 CFP) This place has a split
Book your stay at lonelyplanet.com/hotels MAU P I T I • • S l e e p i n g 171
personality. Ramshackle and dusty are the ticks all the right boxes, with a spiffing lagoon
MAUPITI
words for the beach and garden bungalows; frontage, a small strip of beach, lofty views and
fabulous is the adjective that springs to mind four well-proportioned bungalows (with hot
when you see the location, right by a sandy water) scattered in a well-tended property –
beach lapped by topaz waters. Our verdict: not to mention green credentials (power is
a good bargain for those who have a tent, supplied by two windmills). Sunbathing is
not so much so for those who bunk down in top-notch but swimming is not that enthral-
a bungalow. ling, with very shallow waters; paddling to
Pension Rose des Îles (%67 82 00, 70 50 70; Motu more idyllic swimming grounds expands
Tiapaa; campsites per person 2000 CFP, bungalows with half your possibilities. When it comes to prepar-
board per person 10,000-12,000 CFP) Run by a friendly ing Polynesian dishes for dinner, Joséphine,
French Polynesian couple, this pension of- your gracious host, knows her stuff. Airport
fers two rustic bungalows made from woven transfers, kayaks and snorkels are free.
palm fronds in a lovely location on the la- Pension Papahani – Chez Vilna (%60 15 35; pension
goon. They’re not especially good value, given papahani@hotmail.fr; Motu Tiapaa; bungalows with half
that mattresses are lumpy and bathrooms board per person 9500-12,500 CFP) An atmosphere of
are shared, but the camping option is a good dreamlike tranquillity characterises this well-
deal. The outdoor setting features small ta- run pension with a fab lagoon frontage. Your
bles, hammocks and a profusion of plants biggest quandary here: a bout of snorkelling
and trees, as well as a few dogs that stick like (or kayaking) or a snooze on the white-sand
leeches. Kayaks are available (it’s an extra 500 beach under the swaying palms? The five
CFP for campers). bungalows blend perfectly into the tropical
Maupiti Village (%67 80 08; Motu Tiapaa; dm/r/ gardens. Try for one of the newer, slightly
bungalows with full board per person 6000/7000/12,000 CFP) more expensive bungalows as the two units
According to most travellers, the best part of at the rear are a bit long in the tooth.
staying here is the food, which is copious, var- Kuriri Village (%67 82 23, 74 54 54; www.maupiti
ied and flavoursome, as well as the tip-top lo- -kuriri.com; Motu Tiapaa; bungalows with half board per person
cation on the ocean side of Motu Tiapaa. The 12,500 CFP) Watch dolphins frolicking in the
charm ends there. Accommodation is clean waves from a little wooden deck (with Bora
but stark, with three particle-board rooms Bora looming on the horizon), take a dip in
with a shared outside bathroom, a bare-bones the lagoon, read a book from the well-stocked
six-bed dorm and two teensy cabins, all with library – it’s a tough life at Kuriri Village, isn’t
flimsy mattresses. But if you can live with that, it? A series of simply designed yet tastefully
it’s not a bad deal at theses prices, especially arranged bungalows is scattered amid lovely
given that kayaks are free and you won’t be gardens and coconut palms. It’s intimate and
inside much anyway. laid-back, and appeals to couples looking for
Pension Terama (%67 81 96, 71 03 33; http://maupiti a bit of style without an exorbitant price tag.
.terama.over-blog.com; Motu Tuanai; r with half board per The property opens onto the lagoon and the
person 7000 CFP) An acceptable option if you want ocean – two different settings, two different
to base yourself on a motu without paying atmospheres. As befits a French-run outfit,
the hefty price tag. Run by an affable French- you can expect to eat divinely. Free kayaks
Tahitian couple, it exudes low-key vibes and and fishing rods.
features three basic rooms in the family home, Fare Paeao – Chez Jeanine (%67 81 01; fare.pae
with two communal bathrooms (one with .ao@mail.pf; Motu Paeao; s/d bungalows with half board
bucket). There’s also a very simple bunga- 17,500/22,500 CFP) The inner real-estate agent in
low right on a little stretch of sand; lying on you will be crying out ‘position, position, posi-
your bed you can see the glinting waters of tion’ upon seeing the fabulous coral gardens
the lagoon and the majestic silhouette of the and jade waters onto which this property
main island. One drawback: the water’s not edges – not to mention the soul-stirring sun-
deep enough for swimming, although free sets. The six luminous and functional bun-
kayaks offer adequate compensation. Airport galows are sprinkled through gardens replete
transfers are free. with fragrant shrubs of tiare. Guests can make
Pension Poe Iti – Chez Gérald & Joséphine (%74 use of the kayaks to explore the lagoon. Shame
58 76; maupitiexpress@mail.pf; Motu Tuanai; bungalows s/d that it’s significantly overpriced, especially
7500/8500 CFP; a) This desirable guesthouse considering what’s available on the island.
© Lonely Planet Publications
172 MAU P I T I • • E a t i n g lonelyplanet.com
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