Frommers.com Frommers.com
Most Recent Destination Forum Posts
Most Recommended Articles
Most Commented Articles
  Print This Article Print Get Frommer's RSS Feed RSS

Introduction to Manihi

Manihi, known for its black-pearl farms, lies 520km (312 miles) northeast of Tahiti. French Polynesia's pearl-farming industry began here in the late 1960s, and although many farms are now closed, the remaining ones seem to sit atop nearly every coral head dotting the lagoon.

Most of the atoll's 800 or so residents live in the only village here, Paeua, which sits beside Tairapa Pass on Manihi's southern side, the only navigable entry into the lagoon. (Both the village and the pass are also referred to as Turipaoa.) The three pensions here are either very remote or cater primarily to workers at the pearl farms, and as a result, in my opinion, Manihi is a one-horse atoll, that horse being the luxurious Manihi Pearl Beach Resort . If you can afford its rates, Manihi offers very good diving and excursions out on its lagoon; otherwise, I would look to another island for my atoll adventure.

From the resort, you can visit Paeua village every day; the hotel launch lands at the jetty inside Tairapa Pass. From there, head inland for 1 block, turn right, and walk to the pass, where there's a grocery store fronted by a huge shade tree. After sipping a soft drink on a bench beside the tree, stroll along the seawall for a sensational view of the outer reef. You'll pass a small, picturesque Catholic church facing the sea.

The airport is on the same motu as the Manihi Pearl Beach Resort, which sends golf carts to fetch its guests from the terminal (which does not have restrooms). The resort has bicycles for its guests' use, but there are no rental vehicles available here, nor is there public transportation. There is no bank on Manihi, so bring local currency if you plan to visit the village. The post office (which has pay phones) and the nurse-staffed government infirmary (tel. 96.43.67) are both in Paeua. Do not drink the tap water; bottled water is available at the resort and from the grocery stores in Paeua.


Back to Top



Maps

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.


  Print This Article Print Get Frommer's RSS Feed RSS
Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Frommer's Tahiti & French Polynesia, 2nd Edition Destination Guide Frommer's Tahiti & French Polynesia, 2nd Edition

Author: Bill Goodwin
Pub Date: November 17, 2008
Price: $19.99

Add to Cart
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide Related Titles:
Cancun & the Yucatan For Dummies, 3rd Edition
Destination Guide
Frommer's Cancun & the Yucatan Day by Day, 1st Edition
Destination Guide
Frommer's Cancun, Cozumel & the Yucatan 2010
Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Destinations
Destinations