Mangareva
French Polynesia · Gambier Islands · 15 m
Description
Mangareva is the main island of the Gambier group, the most remote inhabited corner of French Polynesia, sixteen hundred kilometres southeast of Tahiti inside a lagoon shared with a scatter of smaller islands. Its village of Rikitea is dominated by the neo-Gothic cathedral of Saint Michael, built of fired coral limestone with an altar inlaid with mother of pearl, one of a chain of churches a missionary raised across the group. The lagoon grows the darkest and most prized of Tahitian pearls. Mount Duff rises directly behind the village and the airstrip sits on a distant motu.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 3 to 7 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – November
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Saint Michael cathedral in Rikitea
- Black pearl farms of the lagoon
- Mount Duff summit walk
- Rikitea village and its waterfront
- Aukena island and its watchtower church
- Akamaru island and its mission church
- Boat crossing to the Totegegie airstrip
- Lagoon snorkeling and coral gardens
- Taravai island and its abandoned village
- Convent and mission ruins around Rikitea
- Motu beaches on the outer reef
- Coastal road around Mangareva
Getting there
- Airports:
- GMR
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry