The islet of Motu Tape is part of an elbow-shaped atoll protecting the eastern side of Bora Bora. Stay on this section of the island for your vacation or simply take a boat tour here to view the luxury resorts and do some snorkeling.
Motu means island or islet in Samoan. The tiny islet of Motu Tape rises to only about 20 feet (6 meters) above sea level and is 1,000 feet (300 meters) in width at its widest. Don’t be fooled by this small size some of the most desirable places to stay in Bora Bora are on Motu Tape.
As you travel here by boat, notice the layouts of the resorts. Many premier rooms are built as individual bungalows on overwater stilts. Guests access their rooms via long curving docks jutting into the lagoon, giving the appearance of tree branches having rooms attached like leaves. Stay here for a luxury experience. From your terrace, look down to watch colorful fish swimming over the sandy ocean bottom. Gaze westward to see Mount Otemanu rising from the mainland’s green vegetation.
Motu Tape has lovely white sand beaches on the western side. Most are private, connected to adjacent resorts. Because of the protective function provided by the barrier island, waters here are generally free of large waves and always warm. Swim or paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard over the pristine blue-green water. Go to the eastern side of the islet to appreciate the rougher ocean setting of coral access.
Travel from your resort or from Viatape to the protected, enclosed Bora Bora Lagoonarium just south of the bend of the atoll. Snorkel next to rays, turtles and black-tipped or lemon sharks as you watch schools of colorful fish darting about.
Note that the location may be identified as Motu Tape, Motu Tupe or just Tupe, which may cause you some confusion, but locals will understand where you want to go. Get here via boat shuttle service from the airport at the atoll’s northern end or from the boat dock at Vaitape on the western side of Bora Bora.
