Permit· Mopelia (Maupiha'a)· French Polynesia — Society Islands

Mopelia Access & Protected-Status Check

16° 48.0′ S · 153° 57.0′ W · approximate

Unlike its neighbours Scilly and Bellingshausen, which are strict nature reserves, Mopelia has no protected-area designation in any source this research found, and no visitor permit is documented. Visiting the bird motus depends on the residents' goodwill and the general Polynesian wildlife law, not a DIREN permit.

Society IslandsTahiti & Moorea

Practical

Coordinate is approximate: centre of the atoll. Tahiti Heritage: Scilly's lagoon was classified in July 1971, Scilly and Bellingshausen became a territorial reserve in November 1992, and both were reclassified on August 14, 2000 as a réserve naturelle intégrale (strict nature reserve); Protected Planet lists the Scilly/Bellingshausen area at 637 km², with no mention of Mopelia. French Wikipedia and DIREN's island pages give Mopelia no protected status; it is administratively part of the commune of Maupiti. Noonsite (2024) and Multihulls World mention no permit, only that the residents leave the bird motus to the birds. So: no DIREN permit is documented for landing on Aveu or Tavae, but that is an absence of evidence, not a confirmed exemption. Ask the residents before landing on the bird motus, and if you need certainty (for research, drones or sampling), contact DIREN (secretariat.diren@administration.gov.pf). Polynesian law separately protects marine mammals and listed species. Mopelia is not a port of entry: clear in at Bora Bora or Raiatea first. Do not attempt to land on Scilly or Bellingshausen: they have no passes and are strict reserves.

Best for

Knowing what is and isn't regulated before landing

Nearby