CC BY 2.0, Kulia Petz, Wikimedia CommonsLandmark· Raiatea· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Taputapuatea Marae (UNESCO)
16° 50.2′ S · 151° 21.6′ W
The most sacred site in Polynesia: a huge basalt-paved marae complex on the Matahira-i-te-ra'i peninsula at Opoa. Voyaging canoes from Hawai'i, Aotearoa and the Cook Islands once gathered here, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2017.
Practical
The main courtyard measures 44 x 60 m, with the ceremonial ahu at its east end; the complex includes Marae Hauviri, where chiefs were invested (Wikipedia). The site has an information desk, toilets, audio guides and signs. Do not touch or move stones, walk on platforms, or leave rubbish. There is no anchorage near or in front of the site. The official brief recommends a guide, who will pick you up at the Faaroa anchorage. A walk nearby leads to a viewpoint. Information: patrimoine.pf/en/taputapuatea.
Best for
Polynesian voyaging history at its source
Nearby
- Opoa Village & Marae Hauviri0.6 NM away
- Magasin Opoa (Taputapuatea)0.9 NM away
- Opoa Beach Hotel Bar & Restaurant1.2 NM away
- Musée du Coquillage (Shell Museum, Opoa)2.4 NM away
- ZMR de Fareatai (Raiatea)2.4 NM away
- Motu Iriru Beach & Snorkel2.9 NM away
- Motu Tipaemau3.2 NM away
- ZMR de Faaroa (Raiatea)3.3 NM away