MANIHI - Pearl of Polynesia
If you’ve dreamed of being stranded on a deserted island with all of the modern conveniences, tiny Manihi could be the place for you. Manihi is an atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago, 520 km. (312 miles) northeast of Tahiti. The atoll is known for its abundance of palm trees, white sandy beaches, extraordinary scuba diving, snorkeling, and spear fishing. Its magnificent clear lagoon, which is 3 ½ miles wide by 19 miles long, has a deep navigable pass through the reef, and shelters several black pearl farms. The lagoon is a springboard for a number of excursions which perfectly capture everything that Polynesia’s underwater flora and fauna have to offer.
As the Tuamotus are sparsely populated, social life on the atolls revolves around your hotel, where you’ll enjoy the companionship of fellow adventurers from around the world. Most of the 800 population live in Turipaoa village beside the pass. Activities are naturally centered around the lagoon and your hosts will arrange boat trips to show you around the lagoon, visiting the fish parks and pearl farms, with picnics on a motu and line or spear fishing.
Because of its small size and population, Manihi has just one hotel- The Manihi Pearl Beach Resort. The Manihi Pearl Beach is lovely property offering what many describe as the best snorkeling in French Polynesia.