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French Polynesia🇵🇫 | beachesMatira BeachPublic sand, 2 km strand, knee-deep lagoon, Otemanu sunsets | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Matira Beach
🏆 Top pickbeach ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Matira Beach is a public beach, and you do not need to stay at a resort to use it. Most visitors assume the whole strip belongs to the hotels, but the sand is open to everyone along its full length. It sits at the southern tip of Bora Bora, in French Polynesia, a few kilometers from the main village of Vaitape. The upsides are obvious: powder-white sand, a shallow lagoon in shades of turquoise, calm water with almost no current, and easy snorkeling right off the shore. The downsides are cost and company. Rooms and restaurants around here run pricey, and midday brings tour boats and sunbathers. Go early, before the day trips arrive, or stay for the late light when the crowd thins and Mount Otemanu turns orange. Snack trucks and small family pensions nearby keep a backpacker budget alive. Compared with the beaches on Moorea, which are narrower and often rockier, Matira feels like one long open sandbar you can walk end to end.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 French Polynesia Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 beach in French PolynesiaWhat makes it a must-see beach

Backpackers stop at Matira because it is one of the very few places on Bora Bora where a tight budget and a postcard lagoon overlap. The island is known for overwater bungalows that cost a fortune, yet the public Matira Point strip gives you the same water color for the price of a sandwich. Small guesthouses and a handful of snack trucks sit within walking distance, so you can base yourself without paying resort rates for every meal. The second draw is the water itself. The shallows run far out and stay gentle, which makes this a good first snorkeling spot if you are nervous, and you can wade out with a mask and see fish around the coral patches near the point. The third reason is the view. From the sand you look straight across the lagoon to Mount Otemanu, the volcanic spire that defines … read more 👉
Backpackers stop at Matira because it is one of the very few places on Bora Bora where a tight budget and a postcard lagoon overlap. The island is known for overwater bungalows that cost a fortune, yet the public Matira Point strip gives you the same water color for the price of a sandwich. Small guesthouses and a handful of snack trucks sit within walking distance, so you can base yourself without paying resort rates for every meal. The second draw is the water itself. The shallows run far out and stay gentle, which makes this a good first snorkeling spot if you are nervous, and you can wade out with a mask and see fish around the coral patches near the point. The third reason is the view. From the sand you look straight across the lagoon to Mount Otemanu, the volcanic spire that defines the island, and sunset here comes with a full show. Many travelers plan two nights and end up staying four, because rental bikes make the whole southern loop easy.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Matira Point sunset: the tip of the beach faces west across the lagoon, and the sky behind Otemanu turns orange and pink. Bring a towel and arrive 45 minutes before dusk to claim a spot on the sand.
  2. Lagoon snorkeling off the shore: you can wade in from the sand and float over shallow coral heads with small reef fish, no boat needed. Visibility is best in the morning when the water is calm.
  3. Walking the full length of the beach: the sand stretches for roughly 2 kilometers along the southern edge of the island. The stroll takes you past palms, small pensions, and the public access points, with views changing every few hundred meters.
  4. Swimming in the shallow lagoon: the water stays knee to waist deep for a long way out, with almost no current. It suits kids, nervous swimmers, and anyone who just
… read more 👉
  1. Matira Point sunset: the tip of the beach faces west across the lagoon, and the sky behind Otemanu turns orange and pink. Bring a towel and arrive 45 minutes before dusk to claim a spot on the sand.
  2. Lagoon snorkeling off the shore: you can wade in from the sand and float over shallow coral heads with small reef fish, no boat needed. Visibility is best in the morning when the water is calm.
  3. Walking the full length of the beach: the sand stretches for roughly 2 kilometers along the southern edge of the island. The stroll takes you past palms, small pensions, and the public access points, with views changing every few hundred meters.
  4. Swimming in the shallow lagoon: the water stays knee to waist deep for a long way out, with almost no current. It suits kids, nervous swimmers, and anyone who just wants to float for an hour.
  5. Evening snack trucks and local meals: small roulottes and casual cafes near the beach serve poisson cru, grilled fish and fries at a fraction of resort prices. Eat here after the sun drops and the day crowd leaves.
Start with the sunset at Matira Point, because the light only lasts a short window and you will want the rest of your days free for swimming and snorkeling when the water is calm.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Matira Beach

Bora Bora 4WD Tour & Eco Shark & Ray Snorkel Cruise

Bora Bora 4WD Tour & Eco Shark & Ray Snorkel Cruise

4.5(96) 7h
From €215
per personViator
Island jet tour

Island jet tour

4.9(56) 2h
From €227
per personViator
Explore Bora Bora with a Private Mini Van

Explore Bora Bora with a Private Mini Van

4.9(26) 2h 30m
From €99
per personViator
Romantic Photo-Shoot at Matira Beach

Romantic Photo-Shoot at Matira Beach

5.0(2) 1h 15m
From €531
per personViator
4WD Paradise Explorer Shared Tour in Bora Bora

4WD Paradise Explorer Shared Tour in Bora Bora

5.0(1) 3h
From €122
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

May to October is the best window for Matira Beach, with dry, breezy days and little rain.
  • Dry Season (May to October): Days run 27 to 29°C (81 to 84°F) at lower humidity, nights cool to about 22°C (72°F). Daylight lasts roughly 11 to 13 hours, with sunset near 5:30 to 6 pm in July. July and August bring the most visitors, and prices for rooms and flights climb.
  • Wet Season (November to April): Expect 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F), thick humidity and sudden downpours that usually pass within an hour or two. Days are longer, sunset near 7 pm in December. The lagoon is warmest, but cyclones are possible in the early months of the year. Rooms get cheaper and the sand is quieter.
  • Shoulder Months (April, May, October, November): Rain is patchy, the water is warm, and the beach is far less crowded than in
… read more 👉
May to October is the best window for Matira Beach, with dry, breezy days and little rain.
  • Dry Season (May to October): Days run 27 to 29°C (81 to 84°F) at lower humidity, nights cool to about 22°C (72°F). Daylight lasts roughly 11 to 13 hours, with sunset near 5:30 to 6 pm in July. July and August bring the most visitors, and prices for rooms and flights climb.
  • Wet Season (November to April): Expect 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F), thick humidity and sudden downpours that usually pass within an hour or two. Days are longer, sunset near 7 pm in December. The lagoon is warmest, but cyclones are possible in the early months of the year. Rooms get cheaper and the sand is quieter.
  • Shoulder Months (April, May, October, November): Rain is patchy, the water is warm, and the beach is far less crowded than in midsummer. Rates often dip noticeably.
  • Whale Season (July to October): Humpbacks pass the island, and boat trips from Bora Bora run from the lagoon.
Book flights and the ferry-side rooms early for July and August, or come in May or October for lower rates.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

The Matira Point area at the southern tip of Bora Bora is the best place to stay, because the public beach is a short walk from every guesthouse there.
This stretch has the island’s only long public white-sand beach, so you can wade into the shallow turquoise lagoon without paying a resort fee. Small family-run pensions and a few budget-friendly rooms sit along the road behind the sand, and many have kitchens. Cooking your own meals is how most budget travelers keep costs down here, since restaurants are pricey. Expect roughly 8,000 to 15,000 XPF (US$75 to 140) a night for a basic room or bungalow, … read more 👉
The Matira Point area at the southern tip of Bora Bora is the best place to stay, because the public beach is a short walk from every guesthouse there.
This stretch has the island’s only long public white-sand beach, so you can wade into the shallow turquoise lagoon without paying a resort fee. Small family-run pensions and a few budget-friendly rooms sit along the road behind the sand, and many have kitchens. Cooking your own meals is how most budget travelers keep costs down here, since restaurants are pricey. Expect roughly 8,000 to 15,000 XPF (US$75 to 140) a night for a basic room or bungalow, with dorm-style beds scarce.
The main town, Vaitape, on the western side of the island, has the supermarkets, the boat dock and the bus-style trucks, but little beach. Staying there means a few kilometers of travel to reach Matira, which you can cover by bike or by hitching a ride. It is cheaper and a better base for ferry trips, though quieter in the evenings.
For a social feel, choose a guesthouse near Matira with a shared terrace, where travelers swap snorkeling and lagoon-tour plans. Rent a bicycle to loop the 32 km coastal road. Book ahead from June to September, when beds near the beach fill up quickly.
Best hostels in French Polynesia


Best quality hotels in French Polynesia

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Matira Beach is calm, shallow and well suited to swimming, and the main thing to plan around is the sun.
The lagoon is sheltered by the reef, so there are no real surf, rips or strong tides on the beach itself. The water stays knee to waist deep for a long way out, and locals and families swim here at all hours. Currents grow stronger near the channel at the point, so stay in the sandy shallows. Black-tip reef sharks and stingrays are common in the lagoon and not aggressive. Let them be and avoid feeding them. Sea urchins and sharp coral sit around rocky patches, so reef shoes are useful when you snorkel.
UV is intense all year, and midday sun between 11 am and 2 pm burns quickly even under cloud. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat. Afternoon showers in the wet season clear fast.
Petty theft … read more 👉
Matira Beach is calm, shallow and well suited to swimming, and the main thing to plan around is the sun.
The lagoon is sheltered by the reef, so there are no real surf, rips or strong tides on the beach itself. The water stays knee to waist deep for a long way out, and locals and families swim here at all hours. Currents grow stronger near the channel at the point, so stay in the sandy shallows. Black-tip reef sharks and stingrays are common in the lagoon and not aggressive. Let them be and avoid feeding them. Sea urchins and sharp coral sit around rocky patches, so reef shoes are useful when you snorkel.
UV is intense all year, and midday sun between 11 am and 2 pm burns quickly even under cloud. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat. Afternoon showers in the wet season clear fast.
Petty theft is rare, but keep phones and cash in a bag you can see rather than leaving them on the sand while you swim.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Matira Beach lies at the southern end of Bora Bora, and you reach it by flying to Bora Bora airport on Motu Mute, followed by a boat to Vaitape. Flights from Papeete on Tahiti take about 50 minutes, and the shuttle boat to Vaitape takes around 15 minutes. From Vaitape, Matira is about 6 to 8 km by taxi, rental bicycle or hitched ride, and renting a bike costs around 1,500 to 2,000 XPF (US$14 to 19) a day.
Matira is excellent for swimming and good for easy snorkeling, but it is not a surf beach. The lagoon is shallow, calm and clear, and fish gather around coral patches near the point. Surf breaks only on the outer reef, which is not accessible from the beach. For better snorkeling with rays and sharks, join a lagoon boat tour, which costs roughly 8,000 to 12,000 XPF (US$75 to 110) per person.
Yes, Matira Beach is a public beach and costs nothing to enter. Restrictions apply only to the private resort beaches nearby, though public access paths between them let you walk through. You pay only for extras such as snorkel gear rental at about 1,000 to 2,000 XPF (US$9 to 19) a day, or a drink at a snack stand. Bringing your own food and water keeps the day cheap.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other French Polynesian beaches near Matira Beach

Explore more nearby:

  • Paeahi—surf break, black sand, local surf culture| 12 km away
  • Opoa Beach—Taputapuatea Marae, sacred reef pass, dark sand, Faaroa Bay| 54 km away
  • Motu Tiahura—Ray shallows, blacktip sharks, coral gardens, paddle-ready lagoon| 221 km away

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Come in the early morning, around 7 a.m., when the lagoon is flat as glass and the tour boats have not yet arrived. I would bring your own mask and swim before breakfast, then return for the last hour of daylight. The dry months from May to October give the clearest skies, but even in the wetter season the mornings are often the calmest.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in French Polynesia. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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