description Manihi Lagoon Overview
Manihi is a coral atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia, consisting of small islets surrounding a large, deep lagoon. The lagoon is known for black pearl farming, which represents a significant economic activity for the atoll's approximately 700 inhabitants. Manihi holds historical importance as the location where French Polynesia's first commercial black pearl farm was established in the 1960s, using the indigenous black-lipped oyster (Pinctada margaritifera). The lagoon's protected waters provide ideal conditions for oyster cultivation, with numerous pearl farms operating there today.
help Manihi Lagoon FAQ
Why is Manihi Lagoon important to the black-pearl industry?
Manihi became the site of French Polynesia's first commercial black-pearl farm in the 1960s. Pearl cultivation subsequently became one of the defining industries of the Tuamotu Archipelago.
Where is Manihi Lagoon?
The lagoon lies inside Manihi Atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia. Manihi is northwest of Tahiti and is reached primarily by air or sea.
Can visitors dive in Manihi Lagoon?
Yes, the lagoon is known for clear-water diving, coral formations, reef fish, and encounters near the atoll pass. Conditions at a pass can involve strong currents, so dives normally require local knowledge.
Are Tahitian black pearls actually black?
Pearls cultivated around Manihi come from the black-lipped oyster, Pinctada margaritifera. Their colors can range from charcoal and silver to green, blue, or peacock rather than being uniformly jet black.
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