Things to Do in Manihi —
Top 7 Activities &
Complete Guide 2026

Turipaoa Pass — manta rays & spawning groupers

The Turipaoa Pass is the atoll's only pass and one of the most renowned dive sites in the Tuamotu. Experienced divers can drift with the current as if surfing underwater, at a depth of 25 metres, watching manta rays patrol the pass. Grey sharks, schools of trevally, and a density of marine life rarely found elsewhere.

The most spectacular event at Manihi occurs in June at the full moon: thousands of groupers migrate into the pass to spawn. An underwater ballet that few places in the world can offer. If you're planning your trip in June, align it with the full moon — this is an absolute must.

Le Cirque — manta rays in shallow water

The second flagship site is called Le Cirque. Reserved for experienced divers able to handle sometimes agitated water, it offers a rare spectacle: the majestic ballet of manta rays, sometimes visible at just 7 to 8 metres depth inside the lagoon. The golden rule: never chase them — they come to you on their own.

Blue lagoon, coral garden, nombril & natural aquarium

Manihi's lagoon offers exceptional snorkeling — warm, translucent water with perfect visibility over multicoloured coral gardens, hundreds of species of tropical fish, and rays gliding silently across the sandy floor.

The must-see snorkeling spots in Manihi:

• The Blue Lagoon — turquoise water of absolute purity, idyllic snorkeling spot accessible by boat from the village.
• The Coral Garden — extraordinary coral formations, multicoloured patch reefs, abundant marine life.
• The Nombril de Manihi — emblematic rock in the middle of the lagoon, unmissable snorkeling and photo spot.
• The Aquarium — shallow crystal-clear zone, ideal for beginners and children, impressive concentration of tropical fish.
• Motu Piscine — natural pool on a motu, swimming in a paradisiacal setting.

Manihi — where Tahitian pearl farming began

Manihi holds a unique place in the history of Tahitian black pearls — this is where modern pearl farming in French Polynesia first took hold. A pearl farm visit is an unmissable experience: you discover the full process from collecting oyster spat, to the delicate grafting technique (inserting a nucleus into the oyster), growing on lines in the lagoon, and harvesting after years of patient work.

You come to understand why Manihi's exceptional lagoon conditions — nutrient-rich water, preserved environment — produce some of the world's finest black pearls, with unique shades ranging from silver-grey to deep black with green, blue or aubergine overtones.

Line fishing, spearfishing & deep-sea fishing

Manihi is a fisherman's atoll — and that's one of its great strengths. Several practices coexist, all accessible to visitors through the local pensions:

• Lagoon line fishing — traditional Polynesian technique in the coral zones of the lagoon. Parrotfish, groupers, emperors. The chance to taste the fish you caught just hours earlier.
• Spearfishing — in the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon, for experienced practitioners.
• Deep-sea fishing — in the open waters outside the atoll, for big game fishing enthusiasts.

Deserted motu, white sand & fresh fish

A day on a deserted motu is one of the most magical moments of a Manihi stay. The boat crossing from the village, with the lagoon shifting from luminous turquoise to deep cobalt blue, already promises something exceptional. On the motu: white sand, coconut palms, translucent water — and that particular silence of islands that welcome nobody else but you.

The Polynesian meal served there is made from whatever was caught that morning: raw fish marinated in coconut milk and lime, barbecued fish, seasonal fruit. Simple, fresh, unforgettable. The return at sunset, with colours ablaze over the lagoon — an image that stays.

Turipaoa — intact Polynesian authenticity

Turipaoa is the atoll's only inhabited place, strategically positioned at the edge of the pass. Brightly coloured houses, gardens overflowing with flowers — hibiscus, frangipani, tiare tahiti scenting the air. The village church, with its white facade, is the heart of community life: on Sunday mornings, polyphonic singing drifts across the entire atoll.

Walking through Turipaoa means understanding the Polynesian way of life — locals chatting in the shade, children playing at the edge of the pass, women weaving flower crowns. The welcome of the Paumotu people (Tuamotu islanders) is genuinely warm. Some will speak passionately about pearl farming, ancestral fishing techniques, or their efforts to protect the lagoon for future generations.

Gliding silently over translucent water

Exploring Manihi's lagoon by kayak offers an intimate perspective of the atoll — gliding silently over water so clear you feel like you're flying above a giant aquarium. The multicoloured coral formations on the floor reveal themselves from the surface in all their splendour. Weaving between coral patches by kayak, stopping to watch a school of fish beneath your hull — an experience no motorised boat tour can replicate.

At sunrise, pink and orange colours reflected on the mirror-like lagoon surface create an image of absolute beauty. Late afternoon, golden light transforms the coral garden into an impressionist painting. Two perfect moments to paddle in silence.