Society IslandsMaupitiBora Bora's wild, uncrowded twinA small island with a breathtaking lagoon and very little development, Maupiti offers the beauty of Bora Bora without the crowds. Climb Mount Teurafaatiu for panoramic views, cycle around the island, relax on secluded beaches, and experience genuine local hospitality.
Maupiti or Bora Bora: authenticity or luxury3 minWhile you plan
Worth reading
Travelling to the islands of Polynesia: how do I book a ticket?3 min
Tahiti airport: all the practical information3 min
Polynesia: 8-day itinerary in the footsteps of legends7 min
Travel to French Polynesia: a complete guide to preparing your ideal stay in Tahiti5 minIn depth
Travel to Maupiti : What You Need to Know Before You Go
Maupiti is often described as Bora Bora’s little sister. But the comparison quickly ends there.
Here, there are no large hotels, no crowds… The island has never tried to impress, let alone look like a postcard. It is simply there. And that is precisely why we love it.
You arrive in Maupiti without really knowing what you are looking for. And above all, without a checklist.
An Island That Has Remained Authentic
With fewer than 1,300 inhabitants, Maupiti has preserved a simple way of life that is deeply community-oriented. Almost everyone knows each other. There are no clearly marked “must-see” spots with signposts, nor any standardized tourist routes.
Far from large hotel resorts, the island has made a clear choice: to remain small, intimate, and true to its own rhythm.
The Lagoon
It is part of everyday life. You swim in it straight from the beach, fish in it, and cross it to reach a motu or a sandbank.
Not to be missed:
Mount Teurafaatiu
For those who enjoy hiking, Mount Teurafaatiu is an essential part of the experience.
The ascent can be steep in places, sometimes with ropes to help negotiate rocky sections. But the panorama from the summit is well worth the effort.
The view opens onto all of Maupiti: the lagoon, the motu, the ocean stretching as far as the eye can see… and Bora Bora in the distance on clear days.
⏱ Around 3 hours round trip
Start early, stay well hydrated, and wear suitable footwear
Where to Stay in Maupiti?
In Maupiti, there are no resorts and no overwater bungalows. You stay with locals, in family-run guesthouses - simple, yet warm and welcoming.
Hospitality is an integral part of the experience. Meals are often shared. Evening conversations flow naturally. The advice you receive is invaluable, because it comes from people who truly live here.
The experience is human before it is touristic.
How to Get to Maupiti?
Getting to Maupiti requires a bit of planning.
- By plane from Tahiti: around 50 to 55 minutes of flight to the airstrip located on a motu, followed by a boat shuttle to the main village.
- By boat from Bora Bora or Raiatea: possible depending on weather conditions and available connections.
Tip: plane seats are limited, so it is recommended to book in advance, especially during high season.
Maupiti Is Not an Island for Everyone
It is an island for those who are looking for:
- silence rather than luxury
- authenticity rather than spectacle
- human connection rather than performance
Practical Tips
- Ideal length of stay: Most visitors stay between 2 and 4 nights, sometimes longer if they accept not planning anything.
- Getting around: on foot, by bicycle, sometimes by boat. A car is not necessary.
- What to bring: cash (very few ATMs), lagoon-friendly sunscreen, simple clothing.
Written by Kulani Brown
That is Maupiti.
1 things to know
Essentials · 3 min
Maupiti or Bora Bora: authenticity or luxury
You dream of French Polynesia, and one question keeps coming back while you plan: Maupiti or Bora Bora? The two islands are neighbours in the Leeward Islands, both with spectacular settings - and very different experiences.
Anoe helps you choose the island that fits the way you travel - your pace, your wishes, your budget.
Maupiti: the soul of Polynesia, intact
Discreet, preserved, deeply authentic, Maupiti is often described as the Polynesia of another time.
No big resorts here, no mass tourism. You sleep in a family guesthouse, share meals with your hosts, and follow the rhythm of local days. You get around on foot or by bike, you fish, you hike, you watch the light change.
The lagoon is superb, wild, and open to you without any staging. Some motu (the small islets on the reef) are completely empty.
Maupiti is your island if you're looking for:
- a genuine, human experience
- a calm island, far from the crowds
- a simple trip, close to nature
- Polynesia as it really is, no filter
Bora Bora: the world-famous face of the Polynesian dream
You can't talk about French Polynesia without thinking of Bora Bora. Its lagoon, its dramatic mountain silhouette and its overwater bungalows have made it one of the most famous destinations on earth.
On Bora Bora, everything is built around comfort and wonder: luxury hotels, spas facing the lagoon, private excursions, fine dining.
It's the island people choose to mark a moment that matters: a honeymoon, an anniversary, a trip that has to be special.
Bora Bora is the right choice if you want:
- a high-end stay with zero friction
- the landscapes you've seen in pictures all your life
- a romantic, polished experience
- personal, premium service
Two lagoons, two ways to travel
Both islands have exceptional lagoons. The difference is in how you live them.
On Maupiti you explore freely, often alone, in nature left as it is. On Bora Bora you experience the lagoon through organised, comfortable outings designed to make every moment easy.
Neither is better than the other: it comes down to what you're looking for.
Maupiti or Bora Bora: making the call
Before you decide, ask yourself a few simple questions:
- Adventure, or comfort?
- Total calm, or the famous postcard?
- Sharing local daily life, or being looked after?
- Are you travelling for a long stretch, or just a few days?
A tip from Anoe: plenty of travellers combine the two - a few days on Maupiti to slow down and reconnect, then Bora Bora for the luxury and the romance.
What Anoe would tell you
Maupiti and Bora Bora aren't really rivals: they're two complementary faces of Polynesia.
One is raw, simple and deeply human. The other is spectacular and polished.
The right island is the one that fits the way you travel.
If you have to pick one, here is our advice. First trip to Polynesia, about a week, a moment to celebrate: take Bora Bora. It delivers exactly what it promises. You want the fenua as it really is, quiet and unstaged: take Maupiti.
Written by Kulani Brown
3 min