Worth it to go to Maupiti?

Hello!

I have 11 days to spend in Tahiti/French Polynesia. I´ll probably just stay in the Society Islands, but even there it seems like there´s a lot to do! Is it worth it to go to Maupiti? I´m travelling by myself on a tight budget, and so I´ll skip Bora Bora. Should I purchase the air pass once I arrive or in advance? Any suggestions on how long I should stay on each island? Is 2 days really enough for Moorea? Thanks so much! I´m not used to having to plan my travels in advance, but since I´ll be there in July, it seems like a good idea.

I haven't been to Maupiti, but hope to on my next trip (Aug) I heard only positive things on my last trip from other budget travellers. I don't think 2 days on Moorea is enough. It's cheaper to buy an airpass when you arrive. look in Silvanocat's blog in the FAQs section for info on airpasses, etc. I went to Bora Bora, I wasn't that impressed. It was included in my airpass. I've been to equally pretty, less crowded islands. Have fun.

Maupiti is IMO have the leftover charm of all the society islands. It reminded me before the massive developmental change the rest of the society islands went through over the last few decades. When we arrived at the docks with just a handful of other tourists from Bora, the locals approached us to offer their place to stay or offered tours. This is exactly the same charm what the polynesian would do approaching French and British tall ships with their "Vaa" and welcoming the strangers. After a few days, while walking along the main street, 2 teenage girls approach my wife and I and they placed flower leis The same ones that cost $25US$ in tahiti) on our neck without saying anything and just smiled! I was surprised and made a stupid comment by asking "how much do i owe you in french", they just smiled back at us and said "rien" and went back their business on their bicycles. We had similar experience outside the society.

Since you have to take the Maupiti Express from Bora, you might as well stay a night or two in Bora. Eventhough it is so commercialized, we befriended a lot of the local there that took us in their houses and slept right beside them that acts as a living room/dining room/garage-you name it. They had a truck and took us one of the look at points in Bora and started strumming the ukelele while i was sipping hinano with one of his buddies. The next few days, they took us on their boats with a bunch of japanese as interpreters (helping them translate in exchange for their kindness). When we dropped the japanese contingent back to their overwater bungalows, it felt like I woked up in a time zone that didnt want to remember the creature comfort. My point is, as commercial as Bora, you can still experience true polynesian hospitality. i became one of their sons godfather while being there. My wife received a big black pearl from one of them that used to work at his families pearl farm. He kept it for atleast more than 10 yrs and was just speechless.

anyway, have fun there. all of the islands are worth it! you dont get to be there all the time.