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Mataiea
ℹ️Practical info — Mataiea
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the Water Gardens of Vaipahi for a beautiful botanical walk; entrance is usually free.
- The area is closely tied to Paul Gauguin; read up on his history here to fully appreciate the local landscape.
- Stop by the roadside stalls on Sundays for fresh Pua'a Roti (roast pork), a local favorite.
- The black sand beaches here have strong currents, so be cautious when swimming.
- Use the local buses (Trucks), but always check schedules as they are less frequent on the southern coast.
🍽 Food
Roast pork - Sunday morning stalls along the main road.
Local Chinese noodles - grab a hearty portion at the evening food trucks (roulottes).
Coconut donuts - first-rate breakfast snack from local bakeries.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Traditional crafts sold by local artisans in small boutiques.
Available at the Mataiea local market or directly from roadside farmers.
Serene paths through lush tropical plants and small waterfalls.
Requires a bit of a hike or 4x4 ride, but it's an incredibly peaceful inland lake.
Water temperature…
Mataiea is a lush village on the southern coast of Tahiti, often regarded as one of the most verdant and fertile districts of the island. It holds a special place in art history as the residence of the famous French post-impressionist painter Paul Gauguin from 1891 to 1893. During his time here, Gauguin produced some of his most legendary paintings, drawing inspiration from the serene lifestyle and the vivid colors of the tropical environment. Another major attraction is the Harrison Smith Botanical Garden, established in 1919 by an American physicist turned botanist. This expansive garden is home to a world-class collection of exotic flora, including giant water lilies and rare tropical hardwoods. The area is also geographically unique due to its proximity to Lake Vaihiria, Tahiti’s only highland lake, shrouded in local myths and accessible via scenic mountain trails. Today, Mataiea remains a bustling center for the cultivation of ginger and exotic flowers, maintaining a peaceful atmosphere that continues to attract those seeking the authentic, natural beauty of southern Tahiti.
- Location: French Polynesia
- Top sights: Site public d Oututaihia · Totini · Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste
- Nearby: Papara (8 km)
- Population: ~4.609 (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 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| Rain mm | 197 | 180 | 145 | 124 | 96 | 76 | 54 | 48 | 44 | 81 | 112 | 233 |
Geography
Facts
- Population: 1,054 (2017 census)
- Land area: 12 km²
- St. Michel church built: 1850
- Distance from Papeete: 45 km
- Number of black sand beaches: 3
- Average annual temperature: 27°C
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Mataiea (3)
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