Tag Archives: society islands

The Marvel of Maupiti

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Maupiti is so exquisite that we treated ourselves to a long stay.  The waters are just stunning. With blues ranging from a clear, turquoise blue, to dark blue and with many various shades in between.  The people are lovely, the town is quaint and there are both land and water sports to entertain us.

Matt and I went to explore Motu Tuanai which is a rather large motu with the small airport.  It was a blustery day with rain sprinkled in to keep it interesting.  We left rather late in the afternoon so we knew it would be a short exploration.  The beach is really nice and there are super cool inlets that fill up with the rising tide.

Walk About

Matt and I decided we wanted to take a walk to stretch our legs.  Maupiti is pretty flat all around with the exception of one rather large hill.  We decided to walk the long way around which was flat toward Chez Mimi.  We saw this cute little eatery on our bike ride and wanted to come back when it was open.  It was a 3.5 mile walk on a flat, well paved road.  We stopped along the way to admire the magasins and views.

Chez Mimi is on the beach.  It is a quaint little eatery run out of the local’s home.  We were the first to arrive at 11:00, but we brought our hunger one!  Matt ordered poison cru and I had a ham sandwich.  Not bad.

A different route back

We took a different route on the way back. We wanted to walk along the ridge, up and over the mountain.  However to get there we had to cross a local’s property. We walked up the large paved hill to get to the entrance to the trail. When we got there, the local who lived by the entrance told us it was not cleared and we could not go.  Drat.  But we did have pretty views from the top of the hill.

Maupiti view from the top of the hill

Maupiti view from the top of the hill

Maupiti has several magasins but they are all counter service.  Meaning you walk up to the counter and tell them what you want.  The problem is with our inability to speak French.  But Google Translate works and we are good at pointing and sharing photos of products.  You take for granted how nice it is to be able to roam among the products while in the States.

This post was written in August 2020.  Our blog posts are usually 6 to 7 weeks behind are true adventures.  

The Stunning Island of Maupiti

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Maupiti is a luscious, remote island located 27nm west of Bora Bora.  We had always hoped to visit this lovely piece of paradise but were unable to make it happen until now.

Maupiti Island

Maupiti Island

We visited the Society Archipelago (where Maupiti is located) last year but did not have time to navigate to this distant island.  An opportunity arose after we dropped off my family at the Bora Bora airport.  This island has a challenging pass to enter and depart the lagoon.  It is known to be difficult as you cannot enter when the winds are close to 20kts, or when there is a 2+ meter swell or if winds are coming from the south.  The prevailing winds come from the south a lot.

Where the pink and red lines meet is the entrance of the pass.  The green ships are other boats on AIS and the blue area is the channel from the pass to the village. 

Mauipiti

Mauipiti

This is a good photo of the island with all the motus around it.  You can see the one pass at the bottom of the island/photo.

Mauipiti

Mauipiti

Traveling to Maupiti

However, we picked a travel day with virtually no wind (2-5kts) coming from the east with less than a meter swell.  We arrived promptly at 1130 and on the approach swallowed hard as we noticed the huge swell breaking on the reef.  The photo below shows the reef and the small pass entrance and then the reef again.

From the photo below, you can clearly see the reef on either side of the small pass.  It is a tricky one.

Pass from high view point

Pass from high view point

A few locals were fishing off the reef of the pass indicating just how calm it was when we entered.

Pass to enter the lagoon

Pass to enter the lagoon

Once we lined up the two markers and put the boat in the center of the pass we only encountered 1kt of outgoing current.  It was smooth as silk!  We hung a left and picked up a mooring just outside the pass and close to the manta ray cleaning station (more on this later).

Our friends on Hoodoo showed up an hour later and decided it would be a drinking day!  It was great fun catching up with Yanell and Missy!

Hiking to the Top Mount Teurafaatiu

There are several towering mountain peaks that scream for our attention.  We started out around 0930 and easily found what we thought was the start of the trail.  We were using maps.me and gps coordinates from a previous cruiser.  Locals had marked the trail with 3 lines: white, red, white.  However, somewhere at the beginning of the hike we got on another trail marked with red, black, yellow.  Hmmm…well it is still a trail so we continued on.

It was almost straight up the mountain, over rocks, under trees, and with the use of a few climbing ropes on the slippery parts.  The boys forged ahead while Missy got stuck with me lagging behind (poor thing).  But, we caught up to the boys maybe 7-8 minutes behind them.

Missy (Hoodoo) and I

Missy (Hoodoo) and I

The top offered spectacular views of the lagoon, pass, and outer motus.  We also found several other trails that needed to be conquered.

The views are just amazing from the top.

Always wanting to mix it up, we traversed down the opposite side of the mountain and found the original white, red, white trail!  This trail going down was very well marked.  It is more exposed to the sun so it was also drier and easier going down.  Interesting.  Oh well, new sights and adventures.

  • Miles Hiked: 5.1
  • Steps:  13,221
  • Flights Climbed: 90 floors
  • Elevation: 1250

Bike Ride Around the Island

Missy and Yanell have fold up bikes so Matt and I rented bikes for 1,000xpf ($10) per day.  The island is not very big, a total of 7 miles all the way around, but we did manage to go down every road, dead end, and dirt path.  There Is one huge hill with a 21% incline and a 20% decline.  I walked down part of the hill as the brakes on my biked slipped.  However, the brave ones rode down the hill.

On the west side of the island we found a beautiful beach and park with the prettiest turquoise waters.

Palace by the Sea

On The way back, we stumbled across the Le Palais de la Mer (Palace of the Sea) which was incredibly beautiful.  One man has been working on the Palace by the Sea for over 20 years.  He offers tours for $20/pp which seems expensive but our friends said it was worth it.  He provides entertainment, free hand weaved palm front hats, shell jewelry, and coconut champaign.

Photo taken and posted by Les Deux Peids Dehors.

Petroglyphes

We found a sign that read “Petroglyphes.”  Superb!  We turned down the road (in Haranae Valley) and followed the trail.  

Fun Photos

Me enjoying being princess for a moment as Missy and Yanell pull Sweetie across some shallow waters.

Town markers around the island.  

Sunset and sunrise photos in Maupiti are simply stunning.

One morning I captured the sunrise and the moon (see top photo)

History of Maupti

  • Population: 1200
  • Living on 4.2 square miles
  • Technically an atoll with an island in the center (meaning it is an older island)
  • Highest peak is 1250’
  • Primary economy is noni production
  • There are ancient Polynesian archaeological artifacts dating from at least AD 850.
  • The island has had many names including Vaitu and Maurua.
  • Maupiti created the stone called “penu” a utensil used to mash food.

Maupiti’s lagoon is well-known for being one of the most beautiful! The different shades of blue will astonish you.  The coral reefs and sandbanks really bring out the shallow crystal-clear water in some places.

This post was written in August 2020.  Our blog posts are usually 6 to 7 weeks behind are true adventures.  

The Society Islands Welcome the Konis’s: Part II

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Be sure to read The Society Islands Welcome the Konis’s Part I to catch up on their adventures in Tahiti, Mo’orea, Huahine Nui, and Huahine Iti.

Day 8: Raiatea

We arrived in the sleepy little town of Uturoa on Raiatea.  Unfortunately for us, everything was closed being that it was Sunday.  We grabbed a mooring ball next to a small motu giving the boys a destination to SUP to.

Matt and I wanted to take the Konis’s on a hike, but even that was closed.  It was a hike to the top of the mountain where there is a radio tower and a beautiful view of the bay.  We hiked this trail several times and were sorely disappointed that it was marked as private property now.

Our friends on Maple were anchored nearby so they came over to hang out with us.  We blew up our new float which we could not decide if it was a dragon or a Pegasus. 

Maple had a small surf board and tried to teach Cole and Cameron to surf but the board was too small.  Matt decides to show off and popped up on the 2nd try.  Of course, he has spent years and years on wake and surf boards.

The boys having fun off the bow of the boat.

Cole and Cameron

Cole and Cameron

Day 9:  Taha’a

It is a short 9nm motor from Raiatea to Taha’a which both share the same lagoon.  We dropped the hook in one of our favorite spots off of Ilot Tautau also known as the “coral gardens.”  Anchored in turquoise, sandy bottom water looking over toward Bora Bora.  Ignore the “day 7” on the photo as it is wrong.

Taha’a is our favorite island in the Society Island Archipelago.

The famous drift snorkel of the coral gardens has to be experienced to truly appreciate the natural beauty of this aquarium.  You slowly drift over coral and witness first hand the stunning life under the sea.  The top photo is looking down the coral garden path and the bottom photo is underwater photo.

Coral Gardens

Coral Gardens

We found lots of fish wanting to play and discover what crazy things we were up to in their habitat.

Coral Gardens Fish

Coral Gardens Fish

Everyone enjoyed the spectacular experience.  (again ignore the date on the photo is wrong).

Snorkeling the Coral Gardens

Snorkeling the Coral Gardens

Kimberly did me a huge favor by trimming my hair which had not been cut in over a year.  It was so ratty!

We had beautiful views of the Bora Bora caldera from our perch at Taha’a.

Day 10: Taha’a

One of our favorite tours in French Polynesia is the Taha’a Vanilla and Botanical Garden Tour by Noah.  We booked a tour for the Konis family and Noah let me tag along for free.  Noah was born and raised in Taha’a and is an accomplished aeronautical engineer but has decided to live his life in Taha’a.  He picks you up in a open air jeep filled with fresh, flavored water and reviews his route before beginning.

Taha'a Vanilla Tour

Taha’a Vanilla Tour

He pointed out the Kapok tree which is used for stuffing (mattresses, pillows), female papaya trees and the elephant ears or Tahitian umbrellas.

We swang by a pretty church and point out an old baguette box (not a mail box, but a baguette box).

We venture to an organic vanilla farm where he teaches you how the vanilla is grown

He then shows you how to manually pollinate each of the flowers (see our previous blog on this process).  They cover the flowers to prevent the birds from eating them  The bottom 3 photos on the right show beans at a few weeks, then a few months and finally at 5 months.

We pass by some beautiful views around the island.

He brings us a large fern so we can give ourselves tatoos.

We learn about copra and sugar cane farming (used for rhum).

And we end up at the Pari Pari Taha’a Rhum distillery where we learn how they make rhum, essential oils, and spices.

Day 11: Taha’a

A new day and a great excuse to swim the coral gardens again!  This time there was barely any current at all.  You could actually hover in once place admiring the beautiful corals and fish.  We had a great photo op at a small motu just off Le Taha’a Motu.

The Konis family spoiled Matt and I by taking us to lunch at the exclusive Le Taha’a resort.  It was beautiful and super tasty, but rather pricey.  This is what I picture when I think of resorts in the Society Islands.

Le Taha'a Lunch

Le Taha’a Lunch

Super fancy day making us all feel like royalty.

Day 12: Taha’a to Bora Bora

I know Kimberly was especially looking forward to going to Bora Bora, but I was not. Mostly because it meant the end of their visit with us.  Bora Bora is the most famous island in the Society Island Archipelago next to Tahiti.

It is a short 20nm passage from Taha’a to Bora Bora but it offers many breathtaking views of the islands.  We had fun on the bow with the Bora Bora caldera in the background.

We picked up a mooring near Motu To’opua in beautiful light blue waters.  It was a hot day so we jumped in the water in search of sting ray city only to be thwarted by its location.  After drying off we decided to head into town for some lunch and shopping.

Bora Bora

Bora Bora

After a bit of shopping and discovering we headed back to the boat for some more water time.

DAY 13: Bora Bora

We watched several tour boats stop at a location just at the reef which we assumed was sting ray city.  So, we hopped in Sweetie and joined the crowd.  It sure did not disappoint. There were dozens of black tip sharks and sting rays wanting to be admired.

Afterwards, we walked from Bloody Mary’s to Matira Beach which was about 1.5 miles.  It is a pretty beach, albeit with some coral.  We hung out, played some bacchi and cooled off in the sparkling waters.

We cleaned up and took the Konis family to Bloody Mary’s for dinner.  You can’t come to Bora without visiting Bloody Mary’s.

Bloody Mary's in Bora Bora

Bloody Mary’s in Bora Bora

We selected our meals from the fresh bar, enjoyed many cocktails and a fun filled evening!

Day 14: Bora Bora

Today was a sad day because my sister and her beautiful family were heading home.  We spent the day wrapping coral and packing as we made the 5-mile trip to Motu Tehotu where the airport is located.  The boys enjoying the bean bags for one final trip.  Kimberly touching the water from her escape hatch (me taking the photo from the starboard escape hatch) and a beautiful rainbow as a parting gift.

The new anchoring rules prohibit anchoring anywhere near the airport so Matt circled the big boat as I took the Konis family in two trips.

It is heartbreaking to say goodbye to my family.  I text with my sister daily, but it still is hard to be so far away from her and the family.

The Konis clan flew to Tahiti from Bora Bora and had 9 hours to kill so they hung out at the Tahiti Intercontinental hotel for their last moments of Polynesian Sun.  Mo’orea is in the background.

Some more random fun photos of my amazing family, Troy, Kimberly, Cole and Cameron Konis.

Cameron and Cole underwater fun

Cameron and Cole underwater fun

Just some of the beauty in the Society Islands.

I know the Konis family enjoyed the Society Islands as much as we did. It was so much fun to showcase these amazing islands.

P.S.  For those of you wondering, this was still during the covid pandemic.  The Konis’s had to get tested 72 hours before their flight and present the negative results.  Then they had to do two self-tests on day 4 and submit them to the local medical authorities which was negative.

Lucky for us the Society Islands had procedures in place to handle the covid pandemic and tourists.

This post on the Konis family in the Society Islands was written in July/August 2020.  Our blog posts are usually 6 to 7 weeks behind are true adventures.