Manihi... cradle of the black pearl
Personnality: between the sky and the deep blue sea

 Identity

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Nickname: Poerava Atoll
Budget level: Standard
Encounter: Manihi, small atoll  in the North of the Tuamotu with its many pearl farms and unforgettable diving spots. Life there is in harmony with light and the sparkling lagoon.

At a glance: Manihi is the cradle of the Polynesian black pearl (called  Poerava). This oval shaped atoll is 27 km (18 miles) at its longest length and about 8 km (5 miles) wide. Most of its 750 inhabitants live in the village of Paeua, located near the main pass of Tairapa and 3 km (2 miles) from the airport. This atoll has the parcicularity of having trees, which gives it a special charm within the myriad of atolls in the Tuamotu.

How to get there: Located 520 km (320 miles) from Tahiti, Manihi can be reached by plane directly from Tahiti (about an hour and fifteen minutes flight) or with a stop in Rangiroa. It is also possible to board the inter-island freighter.