Motu Tapu
A small coconut islet on the atoll west of the main island. It was once a royal 'forbidden island', and its white sand and coconut palms are the most familiar image of Bora Bora on postcards.
In Polynesian, 'tapu' means 'taboo' or 'forbidden', and this little island was once reserved for royalty. It lies west of the main island, near the only navigable passage out of the lagoon. The 1931 Murnau film Tabu was filmed here. The islet is privately owned. Some lagoon tour companies arrange landing for picnics or stop in the shallows nearby for snorkelling, and it is often used as a landmark seen from a seaplane or helicopter. Whether you can go ashore depends on the arrangements made by your tour operator.
Opening hours
Included with lagoon boat tours (follow the operator's schedule)
Nearby sights
- Vaitape
- WWII American Cannons
- Bora Bora Lagoon
- Mount Pahia Hike
- Marae Fare Opu
- Bloody Mary's
- Mount Otemanu
- Matira Beach