Bora Bora’s marae are stone platforms, not temples in the way most travellers imagine them. They sit low to the ground, open to the sky, and the most significant one on the island, Marae Marotetini, runs 50 metres along the water’s edge at Faanui Bay. Of the roughly 40 ceremonial platforms that once existed on the island, only thirteen remain. These sites were the spiritual and social centres of ancient Polynesian communities — places for chief investitures, seasonal rituals, and offerings that included both food and, historically, human sacrifice.
Thirteen of the island’s original 40 or so ceremonial platforms still exist.
This guide covers the marae you can still visit, what to expect when you arrive, and the cultural protocols that still govern these spaces. If you are planning a trip that goes beyond the overwater bungalows, understanding the marae gives you a way to see Bora Bora through the lens of its original inhabitants — not just its resorts.
Visiting a marae is not a half-day activity. Most are small, unmarked, and require some effort to find. The reward is a quiet connection to Polynesian history that most visitors miss entirely — but you need to go in with realistic expectations about what you will actually see.
Understanding Bora Bora’s marae
These stone platforms were never just religious sites — they anchored the political and social life of the island.
Marae functioned as meeting grounds, places of worship, and stages for ceremonies that reinforced the authority of chiefs and priests. The structures were carefully oriented according to cosmological principles, with the main altar, or ahu, positioned to align with specific stars or island landmarks. The sacred marae of Polynesian spirituality were considered tapu — restricted — and that designation persists today. Locals still observe prohibitions around these sites, and visitors are expected to do the same.
Marae Marotetini, also called Fare-rua, is the island’s most significant platform. Hawaiian archaeologist Yosihiko Sinoto restored it in 1968. The site sits immediately on the water at the southern tip of Faanui Bay, on the west coast, and offers a direct view of Teavanui Pass — Bora Bora’s only navigable passage for large vessels. Two stone box tombs of the Polynesian royal family, including that of King Tapoa, were discovered during excavations right near the platform.
Where to find Bora Bora’s remaining marae
Most are scattered along the coast, and a few require a guide to locate.
Marae Marotetini — the island’s most significant platform
This is the one marae most visitors can reach without a tour. It is located close to Farepiti Harbour, and the 50-metre-long platform is visible from the road. The ahu is 3.5 metres broad and sits directly on the water. The site was the island’s most revered temple before restoration. A genuine limitation: the platform itself is roped off in sections, and you cannot walk on the main altar. Plan to spend no more than 20 minutes here unless you are sketching or photographing the stonework. The Marae Marotetini site on Bora Bora is best visited early in the morning, before the circle-island tour groups arrive around 10 a.m.
Marae Aehautai — views of Mount Otemanu
Located near Paoaoa Point on the southeast coast, adjacent to the now-closed Club Med resort, Marae Aehautai is a restored temple with a commanding view. From the platform, you can see Mount Otemanu rising behind the lagoon and the blue outlines of Raiatea and Tahaa beyond the motu on the reef. The site is smaller than Marotetini and less visited, which means you may have it to yourself. The tradeoff: the access path is overgrown in places, and the resort closure has reduced foot traffic, so the trail can feel isolated. Wear closed-toe shoes and carry water.
Taharuu Marae and Opu Marae — lesser-known sites
Taharuu Marae sits at Point Haamaire on the east coast, on a point that also holds World War II-era naval cannons installed by American forces in the hills above. The platform has a clear view of the lagoon, but the site is not signposted from the main road. Opu Marae, a short distance north of Faanui, is partially covered by the road itself — you can see stonework emerging from the asphalt. Neither site is restored to the degree of Marotetini, and both are best visited as part of an off-road tour or circle-island trip rather than as standalone destinations.
Practical planning for marae visits
Timing, transport, and cultural rules matter more here than at any other attraction on the island.
| Marae | Location | Access | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marotetini | Faanui Bay, west coast | Roadside, free, no guide needed | Before 10 a.m. |
| Aehautai | Paoaoa Point, southeast | Overgrown path, moderate walk | Mid-morning, good light for photos |
| Taharuu | Point Haamaire, east coast | Unmarked, best with a guide | Late afternoon for lagoon light |
| Opu | North of Faanui, west coast | Partially under road, visible from car | Any time, quick stop |
Getting there
Renting a car gives you the most flexibility for reaching Marae Marotetini and Opu Marae, both of which are roadside. For Marae Aehautai and Taharuu, an off-road tour or a guide from the tourist office is advisable — some sites are hidden in the woods and easy to miss. The sustainability practices shaping Bora Bora’s cultural landscape include efforts to keep these sites undisturbed, so do not expect marked trails or interpretive panels.
Cultural protocols
The concept of tapu is not abstract here. Do not climb on the stone platforms, move rocks, or take anything from the site. Do not eat or drink on the marae. Remove your hat before approaching the ahu. Speak quietly. These are not suggestions — locals still observe these prohibitions, and disregarding them is considered deeply disrespectful. If you are unsure, ask at the tourist office before you go.
Marae Aehautai’s access path passes through dense vegetation. After rain, the trail becomes slippery and mosquitoes are heavy. Carry insect repellent and wear long trousers. The site is isolated — there is no phone reception at Paoaoa Point.
On the ground — what to know before you go
These are not museum exhibits. They are active cultural sites with living significance.
What to bring
Water, closed-toe shoes, insect repellent, and a camera with a zoom lens — you will want to photograph the stonework without stepping onto restricted areas. A reef-safe mineral sunscreen is worth packing because the walk to Marae Aehautai is exposed in sections, and the lagoon water near Marotetini is directly adjacent to the platform. Do not bring food, drinks, or tripods onto the marae itself.
Local etiquette
When approaching a marae, walk slowly and avoid standing directly on the ahu. If a local is present, wait to be acknowledged before entering the site. The turtle is a revered animal in Polynesian culture — some marae have turtle petroglyphs carved into the stone. Do not touch them. The traditional foods served at Bora Bora’s cultural gatherings often include dishes that were once offered at these marae, and understanding that connection adds depth to both experiences.
- Visit Marae Marotetini before 10 a.m. to avoid tour groups and get the best light across Teavanui Pass.
- Marae Aehautai offers solitude and views of Mount Otemanu, but the access path is overgrown — go prepared.
- No marae on Bora Bora has interpretive signage. Read up beforehand or hire a guide from the tourist office.
Visiting Bora Bora’s marae — your questions answered
Can you walk on the marae platforms?
Not on the main altar, or ahu. At Marae Marotetini, the central platform is roped off. You can walk around the perimeter and view the stone box tombs nearby, but stepping onto the ahu itself violates tapu and is considered disrespectful.
Are the marae free to visit?
Yes. None of Bora Bora’s marae charge entry fees. Marae Marotetini is roadside and accessible at any time. The tradeoff is that there are no facilities — no toilets, no water, no shade — so plan accordingly.
Which marae has the best view?
Marae Aehautai, on the southeast coast, has a clear sightline to Mount Otemanu and the distant outlines of Raiatea and Tahaa. The platform is elevated enough that the lagoon and reef stretch out below you. It is also the most isolated, which adds to the atmosphere.
Is it worth visiting more than one marae?
If you have a half-day and a guide, yes. Marae Marotetini gives you the scale and history. Marae Aehautai gives you the setting. Taharuu and Opu are quick stops that fill in the picture of how many platforms once existed. Without a guide, stick to Marotetini and Aehautai.
What should I avoid doing at a marae?
Do not eat, drink, smoke, or take anything from the site. Do not climb on the stones. Do not touch petroglyphs. Remove your hat before approaching the ahu. Speak quietly. These rules are not suggestions — they reflect living cultural practice that predates the resorts by centuries.
One last thing about the marae
The marae of Bora Bora do not compete with the lagoon for your attention. They do not offer snorkelling, soft sand, or a swim-up bar. What they offer is a version of the island that existed before anyone built a bungalow over the water — and that version is still here, in the stone, the view of the pass, and the quiet that settles over Faanui Bay in the early morning. The art of banana leaf weaving in Bora Bora follows a similar logic: the most meaningful cultural practices on this island are the ones that do not advertise themselves.
Sources and further reading
Sacred marae, sanctuaries of Polynesian spirituality. Via Lala, 2024.
Marae Marotetini on Bora Bora. Bora Bora Island Guide, 2024.
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