Marae Arahurahu
A restored stone temple platform on Tahiti's west coast, used for cultural performances during Heiva.
Updated 2 September 2026
Marae Arahurahu at Paea is the most completely restored marae on Tahiti, a walled rectangular court with a stepped ahu at one end, backed by a cliff and set among trees, reconstructed in the 1950s from what remained. Marae were the ritual and political centres of pre-Christian Polynesian society, and this one is now used during the Heiva festival in July for staged reconstructions of ceremony and for performance.
What to look for
- The restored court - the walled enclosure and the stepped ahu at its head.
- The upright stones - the backrests marking the positions of chiefs and priests.
- The cliff setting - the rock face rising directly behind the marae.
- The Heiva performances - the July ceremonies staged at the site.
When to go
May to October is the dry season. The Heiva performances fall in July. Mornings are quietest outside festival time.
Before you go
The restoration is substantial and much of what stands was rebuilt in the 1950s. There is limited interpretation on site. It is small and the visit is short.
Nearby
Paea is on the coast, and Papeete is north.
What to pack for Marae Arahurahu
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links - if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
All packing kitsPlan your trip
Where to start if Marae Arahurahu is going on the list.
Booking links on this page are affiliate links - if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write about a place.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
