Wildlife· Mataiva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs

Mataiva Bird Motu

14° 52.7′ S · 148° 39.2′ W

A lagoon islet where crested terns, red-footed boobies and frigatebirds nest and wheel overhead, the refuge for birds driven from Mataiva's old north-eastern forest.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Coordinate from the Tahiti Heritage map pin (its text also describes a bird motu 'south of the lagoon', so confirm locally which islet guides visit). Tahiti Heritage: clearing and fire pushed the birds from the forest between Vairearea and Oeva onto lagoon motu and to neighbouring Tikehau; nesting parents dive at visitors' heads. Visit with a local boat guide, keep your distance from nests and keep visits short. Wikipedia also notes several lagoon islets serve as a sanctuary for rare seabirds.

Best for

Seabird colonies by small boat

Season

Nesting varies by species; avoid disturbance

Nearby