Event· Maupiti· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Heiva i Maupiti (July Festival)
16° 26.8′ S · 152° 14.9′ W · approximate
Like every island in French Polynesia, Maupiti holds its own Heiva in July, alongside the big Heiva i Tahiti in Papeete. It is a small, community-scale festival of dance and song, va'a (outrigger canoe) racing and traditional sports, and a rare chance to see the island's own troupe at home.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: Vaiea village by the mairie, the island's centre of community life. Exact venue and dates are set locally each year; one travel listing places the 2026 Heiva i Maupiti at Vaitia in July but gives no dates, so confirm with the mairie or your pension before planning around it. Travel guides describe July as the most reliable month for the main celebrations, with ote'a and aparima dancing, drumming and va'a racing; rehearsals in the days before are worth catching. The national Heiva i Tahiti in Papeete ran July 2-18, 2026 (Tahiti Tourisme), and Maupiti's troupe has also performed at the Heiva i Raromatai, the Leeward Islands festival. July is trade-wind season, when a south swell can close Onoiau Pass for days, so arrive early with spare days and anchor in the lagoon rather than counting on getting in on the day. Guesthouses fill early in July.
Best for
Island dance, drumming and canoe racing at community scale
Season
July (dates set locally each year)