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: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun (flight time 55min)
- Bora Bora: Fri and Sun (flight time 20min)
- Raiatea: Tue, Fri and Sun (flight time 25min)
The airport is on Motu Tuanai. The boat transfer by private taxi-boats to the main city takes 15min.
By boat
Maupiti Express [1] runs the Maupiti Express 2 from Bora Bora to Maupiti on Tue, Thu and Sat. Maupiti Express 2 leaves Vaitape on Bora Bora at 8.30am and arrives at Maupiti at 10.15am, leaving Maupiti again at 4pm and arriving at Bora Bora at 5.45pm. One way fare is CFP 3000, return CFP 4000 (2009).
Get around
See
Maupiti has 30 archaeological sites whiche 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.
Itineraries
Do
- climb MountTeerefaatiu with exceptional views of Bora Bora and Raiatea (and Tahaa on clear days as well).
Eat
Drink
Stay safe
Go next
By plane
Air Tahiti offers flights from Maupiti to
- Tahiti: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun (flight time 55min)
- Bora Bora: Sun (flight time 20min)
- Raiatea: Tue, Fri and Sun (flight time 25min)
By boat
Maupiti Express [www.maupitiexpress.com] runs the Maupiti Express 2 from Bora Bora to Maupiti on Tue, Thu and Sat. Maupiti Express 2 leaves Maupiti at 4pm and arrives at Bora Bora at 5.45pm. One way fare is CFP 3000, return CFP 4000 (2009).