Plizio Visual Lab

Anau

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

village

—°7

ℹ️

Practical info — Anau

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

Anau is much quieter than Vaitape; rent a bicycle to enjoy the scenic coastal road at your own relaxed pace.
This area is known for manta ray cleaning stations; book a snorkeling tour with a local operator for early morning sightings.
The lagoon side of Anau faces east, making it the excellent spot to wake up early and watch a spectacular tropical sunrise.
Keep an eye out for local artisan workshops along the road, where you can buy crafts directly from the makers without markup.

🍽 Food

🍽

Mahi-Mahi with Vanilla Sauce

A Polynesian classic combining fresh catch with Taha'a vanilla, try it at a local lagoon-side restaurant.

🍽

Pain Coco (Coconut Bread)

A sweet, dense bread first-rate for breakfast, available early at small grocery stores in the village.

🍽

Poe

A sweet, sticky fruit pudding mixed with coconut milk, often found at small snack stands around lunch time.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Pareos and Shell Jewelry

Locally crafted sarongs and beautiful shell necklaces sold at small stalls or directly from residents' homes.

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Black Pearls

If you are looking for authentic pearls, ask locals to point you toward certified boutiques rather than unverified sellers.

🧘

Anau Coastal Walk

Stroll along the quiet eastern road away from the main tourist hubs, with imposing views of Mount Otemanu.

🧘

Village Church Area

The grounds around the local church are serene and offer a glimpse into the tranquil daily life of Bora Bora.

Anau is a pleasant and traditional village situated on the quieter eastern coast of Bora Bora, French Polynesia. While much of the island is famous for its high-end international resorts, Anau maintains an authentic Polynesian atmosphere, offering a glimpse into the local way of life. Located at the base of the majestic Mount Otemanu, the village provides striking views of the island’s highest peak and the lush tropical vegetation that surrounds it. Anau is particularly famous among diving enthusiasts, as the waters just off its coast are a prime spot for encountering majestic manta rays, which frequent the lagoon year-round. The villagers are well-known for their traditional handicrafts, specifically the weaving of intricate mats and baskets from pandanus leaves. A visit to Anau allows travelers to escape the tourist crowds of Vaitape and enjoy the serene beauty of the lagoon’s sunrise side, where the pace of life is slower and the connection to the natural environment remains deeply rooted in island tradition.

Location: French Polynesia
Top sights: Marae Aehau Tai · Marae Nonohaura · Main Beach
Nearby: Vaitape (5 km)
Population: ~1.412 (2024)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	28	28	28	28	27	27	26	26	26	26	27	27
Rain mm	198	174	142	118	93	60	42	42	34	72	111	216

Geography

Population

1,412 (2024)

Coordinates

-16.49000, -151.71000

Facts

Anau provides one of the best viewpoints for observing Mount Otemanu.
The waters off Anau are a renowned sanctuary for manta rays.
The village is significantly less developed for tourism than Vaitape.
It is connected to the rest of Bora Bora by a single coastal road.
Several high-end luxury resorts are located on the nearby motus (islets).
The community is known for its strong ties to traditional Polynesian music.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Bora Bora Turtle Center<1 km · WExplore →

Marae in Bora Bora Valley2 km · SExplore →

Bora Bora Leopard Ray Trench2 km · NEExplore →

Marae Fare Opu4 km · SWExplore →

Marae Vaiotaha4 km · SExplore →

Marine Museum Bora Bora4 km · SWExplore →

Alain Despert Gallery5 km · SEExplore →

Marae Arituitui6 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Anau (7)

Marae Aehau Tai 🏺 historical

Marae Aehau Tai, an ancient marae (sacred platform) on the seafront in Anau on Bora Bora.

Marae Nonohaura🏺 historical

Marae Nonohaura, a stone marae hidden in the coconut groves of Anau, Bora Bora.

Main Beach 🎡 recreation

The Main Beach in Anau acts as a central hub for coastal relaxation within French Polynesia. Its welcoming shores draw people in for cheerful swims and comfortable lounging sessions upon the sand. Walking along this beach provides sweeping vistas of the majestic surrounding ocean environment. Don't forget your sunglasses and a good hat to shield against the intense island sun.