Located at the extreme northwest end of the Tuamotus, Mataiva is a small reticulated atoll covered with coconut trees and surrounded by islets such as motu Teaku, better known as the « bird motu » which shelters many different sea bird species.Natural tropical aquarium, Mataiva’s round-shapped lagoon is made up of 70 bassins about 25 feet deep and nine channels that gave her her original name: “the nine eyes island with 9 eyes”.

The main village of Pahua is separated by a bridge over a shallow pass bordered by few houses. The
people, who live from fishing and coprah cultures, often take travellers to the centre of the island (Mataiva Papa), rocky islet in the middle of the lagoon. Its legend, similar to the one of Papiro marae, where an enourmous coral throne is said to embody King Tu’s, a giant who watched after his pass and could cross the island in three steps to kill his enemies.

The « Turtle rock », brought up coral reef is a must for visitors willing to learn the secrets of ancient meteorology, when passing clouds would announce the coming of turtles, and therefore the begenning of the hunting season.