©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd MaupitiPOP 1230 Includes ¨ Why Go? History ........................137 Bora Bora’s discreet little sister, Maupiti is one of the most Sights ..........................137 ravishing islands in French Polynesia. There’s a shimmering Activities .....................138 lagoon with every hue from lapis lazuli to turquoise, a perfect ring of islets girdled with sand bars, palm trees Sleeping ..................... 140 leaning over the shore and large coral gardens. Although Eating ..........................142 this little charmer is no longer a secret, it still remains a hideaway where visitors come to absorb the lazy lifestyle. There’s only one road and virtually no cars, just bikes; there are no showy resorts, just a smattering of family-run pen- Best Places sions where visitors can sample delicious local-style meals to Stay and genuinely interact with their hosts. And when you want to play, there’s just the right amount of activities to keep ¨ Maupiti Résidence you buzzing, from walking and lagoon excursions to diving (p141) and kayaking. ¨ Maupiti Paradise (p141) ¨ Kuriri Village (p142) When to Go ¨ As with most Society Islands the drier season (June to Best Outdoor October) is the most popular time to visit Maupiti. Activities ¨ In July, the island is in full swing with the Heiva cultural ¨ Diving (p138) festivities. ¨ Snorkelling (p139) ¨ Divers and snorkellers might like April to June and ¨ Kayaking (p140) September to November best, when the water is calmest. ¨ Walking (p141) ¨ The manta-ray season runs from April to September. 137 History ing this period; missionaries and local chiefs Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen is credited continued to wield the most power until with the European ‘discovery’ of Maupiti in after WWII, when the French took over. 1722, nearly 50 years before Wallis, Bougain- Maupiti has changed little over the last ville and Cook made their important landfalls century; fruit crops on the motu (islets) are on Tahiti. European missionaries were quick still major sources of income for the islanders. to follow, eventually succeeding in installing MAUPITI 1 Sights Protestantism as the major religion. Bora Bora began to assert influence over From the air, Maupiti resembles a minia- Maupiti in the early 19th century; the power ture Bora Bora: the mountainous island struggles continued throughout the century. mass is surrounded by a wide but shallow SIG lagoon fringed with five motu. There’s only French influence also reached the island dur- H T S e# 0 2 km 404441 mile4444444 Motu 444444P4aeao 4444 #– Maupiti 444444444A4irport 4 Motu 4444444444Tuan4ai Haranae #6 Petroglyphs Motu 44444444#5 44T4uanai Mt Teurafaatiu #4 Tereia Pt Maupiti VAIEA 44M4otu 44#2 444444 Mt Hotu Auira Tereia Paraoa (250m) 4444B4each 444R 444 44444444444 44444444444 Manta Point #1 SOUTH Motu 44PAC4IFIC 444444Tiap4aa 4 OCEAN Motu Pitihahei 444444444Onoiau 44 444444444Pass 44 Maupiti Highlights 1 Exploring Maupiti’s 3 Paddling a kayak 5 Reflecting on Maupiti’s gin-clear lagoon while (p140) across the azure bizarre past while spotting snorkelling with manta rays lagoon. the well-preserved Haranae at Manta Point (p37). 4 Scaling Mt Teurafaatiu petroglyphs (p138). 2 Taking it real easy, (p141) and feasting your 6 Finding your own paradise basking lizardlike on heavenly eyes on 360-degree views of in a delightful pension on Tereia Beach (p138). the translucent lagoon. Motu Tuanai (p138). .