Maraa Grotto
Maraa Grotto
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This grotto features a lake of black water that creates an optical illusion - the cave appears much smaller than it actually is.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
142 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
71
Average
36
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Trypp Adams
Minneapolis, MN9,506 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
There are 3 grottos, the first one Maraa is the best. There were people swimming and wadding in the clear waters of the cave. The water drips from above. Some of the flowers along the trails are amazing. It was free and plan to spend 30 minutes or so here.
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Polynésienne N
Hilton Head, SC111 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We stopped off the side of the road for a fresh coconut here. We visited the grotto to watch the locals diving in. It was so very beautiful. Make sure you don't litter and bring cash for the gift shop. The chickens own the place so they're happy with any crumbs you feed them. I highly recommend this little rest stop. So completely peaceful.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ozziechick45
Sydney, Australia762 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
This beautiful Grotto was part of our bus tour around the island and its so peaceful and quite. The water is crystal clear and very inviting and we were told because it was so clear that the actual depth is deceptive but inviting all the same. We were advised that Paul Gaugain used to go and swim there and that whilst he was there none of the locals would swim in it as it was well known that he had syphilis. The grotto appears to be quite deep in its depth to the rear of the cave and would have loved to have had a torch to see just how far it did go back. The mouth of the grotto is very high and is covered in a type of long stemed fish-fern which makes it look all the more beautiful and whilst we were there it was continually dripping water from the ferns above. The area is very lush in the tropical vegetation as you would expect to find in Tahiti and is really a place that should not be missed if you happen to get the opportunity to go there.
Written November 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward B
Kennesaw, GA94 contributions
Sep 2012 • Family
We took a half day tour of Tahiti with Dave's VIP Tours. Dave, an American, who has lived on the island for 23 years was excellent. He was very knowledge of the history of French Polynesia and specifically Tahiti as well as the sights we visited. We visited the Maraa Grotto Cave, the Paul Gauguin Museum, the Faaruumai Waterfall (very Impressive fall), the Blowhole and Point Venus (lighthouse and monuments). Would highly recommend a tour with Dave.
Written September 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
el
Kaunakakai, HI113 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
The Maraa Grotto can easily be seen off the side of the main highway on your drive to Papara. Here you will be delighted by every tropical flower and plant you see- ginger, heliconia, ti, hibiscus, tropical vines ... A real jungle of ferns and flowers. As you take the short walk on the trail, you will come across the largest underwater cave in Tahiti. I am told there are spirits here so I really wanted to step into the water to feel how cold the water was. My companion took my picture as I entered the water..the developed picture showed me in an almost spirit image... It really spooked me. This place had to be a sacred place as us could feel the presence of invisible energy. I will never forget this place.
Written April 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nail56
Everett, WA681 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
If you're wandering the island, preferably with Dave's VIP tours, you'll certainly stop in here (unless the government has closed it like they did the Paul Gaugin museum). The neat thing about it is the water seeping through the mountainside above and dripping into the grotto. This is THE place for the island kids during summer heat. You could see a hundred of them there. Winter - no one! Drop in.
Written July 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg M
Warragul, Australia431 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
Start looking for this attraction at about PK28 from Papeete as it’s not well signposted and you’ll be on it before you know. Parking is available on both sides of the road although not plentiful.
If you need to use the pedestrian crossing, be careful as not many local drivers slow down, let alone stop, for pedestrians. Flashing hazard lights are an indication that a driver is going to stop and an indication you must use if you are driving and intend to stop at a pedestrian crossing.
Back to the cave; entry is free, there are toilets (but don’t expect the Hilton), a pleasantly cooling garden atmosphere and informative exhibit boards. Despite signage to the contrary, swimming is the cave is the norm.
(PK = Points Kilométriques or kilometric reference points located on the inland side of the road to indicate how far you are from Papeete when travelling toward Taravao)
If you need to use the pedestrian crossing, be careful as not many local drivers slow down, let alone stop, for pedestrians. Flashing hazard lights are an indication that a driver is going to stop and an indication you must use if you are driving and intend to stop at a pedestrian crossing.
Back to the cave; entry is free, there are toilets (but don’t expect the Hilton), a pleasantly cooling garden atmosphere and informative exhibit boards. Despite signage to the contrary, swimming is the cave is the norm.
(PK = Points Kilométriques or kilometric reference points located on the inland side of the road to indicate how far you are from Papeete when travelling toward Taravao)
Written December 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn P
Gold Coast, Australia85 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
beautiful spot just a short walk from main road. are able to swim in the water, did see free water eels
Written November 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan G
Washington DC, DC117 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
When I landed in Tahiti I was lucky enough to get this amazing cab driver named Popo. She gave me the skinny on a lot of things and so I hired her to take me around the island. She is a wealth of information and I saw so many incredible things. However my favorite is the Grotto. Be sure to wear a bathing suit so you can swim in the cool waters. (Also if you go with Popo she will take you to several other places you may want to swim). This place is a hidden secret well worth it if you have the time. OH and Popo's number on the island is8771 17 77.
Written March 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barheat
Hamilton, Canada1,739 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
We stopped at the Fern Grotto as part of an island tour. Just a short walk from the parking lot. The cave is a good size and was filled with water when we visited. Interesting to see the vegetation and take a few photos.
Written December 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola!! en dónde alquilaste el coche en TahitÃ? querrÃamos tenerlo para ir a estar grutas y unas cascadas! Y por otro lado, te llevaste GPS? está bien señalizado o es medio complicado orientarse? gracias desde ya!!
Written April 3, 2017
Hallo, neben den großen Autovermietstationen am Flughafen haben wir ein Auto vom Hotel aus gebucht.
Die Grotte erreicht man wenn man die Insel auf der Hauptstraße umfährt. Es ist gut ausgeschildert
Written April 4, 2017
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