Taihi BeachFrench Polynesia Beach Guide
Wild basalt shore with a secret freshwater spring
About
Plage de Taihi stretches roughly 923 metres along the south-west coast of Motu Piti 'u'uuta, the main island of Bora-Bora, in French Polynesia's Society Islands. This is no manicured resort beach — black basalt boulders line the shoreline, the sand is a mixed salt-and-pepper blend, and the water runs emerald in the shallows where a freshwater spring seeps up at low tide, creating a visible temperature gradient you can feel underfoot. There is zero tourist infrastructure here: no sunbed rental, no snack bar, no signage — just raw volcanic geology and the sound of the lagoon. The vibe is genuinely wild, the beach is almost always empty, and that's precisely the point.
How to get there
From Vaitape, follow the south-west circuit road for about 15 minutes by car — the beach sits along this coastal route and informal free roadside parking is available on the circuit road itself. Access is rated moderate: the terrain is rocky and uneven from the road to the waterline, so sturdy footwear is essential before you even reach the shore. There is no entry fee.
Who it's for
For couples
Plage de Taihi is one of the few places on Bora-Bora where you can genuinely be alone — the beach is almost always empty, and the strange, quiet beauty of the basalt shore and emerald water rewards those willing to explore beyond the resort belt.
For families
Families with older children who are curious and sure-footed will enjoy the geological storytelling here, but the rocky uneven terrain and slippery boulders make it unsuitable for toddlers or anyone who needs stable ground — and there are no facilities of any kind on site.
Our take
Plage de Taihi is not a beach you stumble onto — you have to want it. The rocky entry and slippery basalt boulders demand reef shoes and a degree of care; swimming is moderate at best, and the terrain rules out anyone who needs easy access. But if you're willing to make the 15-minute drive from Vaitape and pick your way across the boulders, you get something genuinely rare on Bora-Bora: nearly 923 metres of wild, empty shoreline with mixed volcanic sand, emerald water, and a freshwater spring seeping up through the rocks at low tide. No resort, no sunbeds, no other visitors. Come between May and October for the dry season and the clearest conditions, and stay away in January, February, and March when wet-season weather makes the already-rugged shore actively unpleasant. This is a beach for the geologically curious and the deliberately off-grid — worth every step.
What to do
The beach itself is the main event — exploring the black basalt boulder shoreline and watching the temperature gradient shimmer in the emerald shallows at low tide is a geological curiosity unlike anything on the island's resort strip. Just 2.5 km away, Matira Beach is the only fully public beach on the main island of Bora-Bora and makes a natural contrast visit. For a dramatic viewpoint, Mount Otemanu — the extinct volcanic peak that defines Bora-Bora's skyline at 727 m — is about 3 km away, and Povai Bay, a sheltered west-coast bay with a direct frontal view of that same peak, is only 2 km from the beach.
The black basalt boulders meeting the emerald water at low tide are the signature shot — get low and use the rocks as a foreground lead-in toward the open lagoon.
The mixed sand and boulder shoreline with no infrastructure in frame gives you a rare Bora-Bora image that has nothing to do with overwater bungalows. If you catch the visible temperature gradient shimmering in the shallows, that close-up detail shot is the geological curiosity that sets this beach apart.
Where to eat
There are no food or drink facilities at Plage de Taihi — pack everything before you leave town. The nearest dining options are Arii Motu Grill, about 4.2 km away, and the Bora Bora Yacht Club at 6.2 km, both worth planning around for a meal before or after your visit.
Where to stay
The closest hotels are Hôtel Matira at just 0.1 km and Hôtel InterContinental Le Moana at 0.2 km, making either a very convenient base for an early-morning visit before the day warms up. Further along the coast you'll find Le Hotel Maitai Polynesia at 0.6 km, Royal Bora Bora at 0.9 km, and the Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island at 1.1 km — a range of options within easy reach of the beach.
Photography
Shoot at low tide when the spring seep is most active and the contrast between the dark basalt boulders and the emerald water is sharpest. The mixed sand and boulder foreground with the open lagoon behind makes for a compelling wide-angle composition that looks nothing like the island's postcard overwater-bungalow shots.
Good to know
Wear reef shoes — the rocky entry is rough and the basalt boulders become genuinely slippery when wet, so bare feet are a bad idea. Please do not disturb the spring area: it's a fragile geological feature and local rules ask visitors to leave it undisturbed. Avoid January, February, and March when wet-season conditions make the beach rough and less rewarding. The terrain is uneven throughout and is not wheelchair accessible.
Map
Nearby places
Arii Motu Grill
Bora Bora Yacht Club
Hôtel Matira
Hôtel InterContinental Le Moana
Le Hotel Maitai Polynesia
Royal Bora Bora
Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island
Things to see around Bora-Bora
Matira Beach
The only fully public beach on the main island of Bora-Bora
Mount Otemanu
Extinct volcanic peak at 727m, the defining landmark of Bora-Bora
Povai Bay
Sheltered west-coast bay with direct frontal view of Mount Otemanu
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
Other beaches in the region
More beaches in Society Islands
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