Aerial view of the Tetiaroa atoll and surrounding waters

The Tetiaroa Atoll

Millions of years in the making, protected for the future

Tetiaroa Atoll is a unique sanctuary where natural splendor, Polynesian heritage, and refined hospitality converge. Under the vigilant stewardship of the Tetiaroa Society, in partnership with the resort and the Brando Family Trust, there is a collective commitment to maintaining this haven within the vast Pacific, ensuring its legacy for the epochs to come.

History of The Atoll

The formation of Tetiaroa

Three million years past, Tetiaroa emerged as a volcanic entity, akin to the neighboring islands of Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora. A mesmerizing constellation of islets, known as motu, adorns less than a single percent of its towering structure. Anchored by a flourishing reef and descending hundreds of feet below the ocean’s surface to a volcanic foundation, these motus are but the visible crest of an immense underwater formation.

Atolls manifest as entirely organic entities, every component either a living being or a byproduct of one. Boasting one of the richest ecosystems globally, atolls provide sanctuary to thirty percent of marine life, encapsulating the vast biological richness of our oceans.

A self-sustained ecosystem

The ecosystem of an atoll creates and maintains its own terra firma which protects it from the erosional forces of the ocean. The calcium carbonate skeletons of reef organisms make up the barrier reef, which both protects the motu from direct wave impact and is the source for all the sediment of the island. The soil on the motu is nourished by nutrients brought from the ocean by seabirds and creates a rich base for a distinct flora and fauna.

A fresh water lens forms in the motu sediments, floating on the more dense seawater below. The larger the motu, the larger and deeper the freshwater lens, and therefore the greater number and variety of plants it will support. 

Polynesians on the atoll

There is a long and deep history of this place that is mysterious, awe-inspiring, and revered. In the past, Tetiaroa was a special getaway for Tahitian royalty to retreat, entertain, and partake in beauty rituals. 

Before this it was a gathering place for Polynesian tribes who met around sacred Maraes, fusing their culture, customs, religion with nature in a way that deeply influences the people of Polynesia today.

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“You can’t bring culture here, you have to adapt to theirs.”

Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando’s vision drove the future of Tetiaroa

Marlon first spied Tetiaroa on a hike in Tahiti while filming Mutiny on the Bounty in the early 1960s.  It was here he found a place of indescribable beauty and Polynesian authenticity,, that offered  a quiet and secluded place to connect with others, with nature, and with himself. 

Marlon was fascinated by renewable resources, organic farming practices, and alternative energy sources, long before it was in the zeitgeist. He was driven by a desire to create beautiful structures while causing the least impact on the environment. 

Marlon’s intent was always to honor and respect the land, the Tahitians that came before him, and the people who come after him.

​​Pacific Beachcomber SC invests to protect Tetiaroa

Marlon formed a close friendship with Richard Bailey, a local hotelier and property developer. For many years, the two shared a dream to build a luxury resort at Tetiaroa that would be a paragon in sustainability and stewardship.

That day came in 2009 when the Brando Family Trust granted approval to  Pacific Beachcomber, Richard Bailey’s company, to build the 35-villa resort that would be known as The Brando. The resort finally opened in 2014 to rave reviews and began welcoming guests from around the world.  

Preserved out of respect for nature

With Marlon’s original vision and help from Pacific Beachcomber, the non-profit Tetiaroa Society was created to protect the atoll by developing a research and educational center, and continuing to study the environment and ecology, as well as exploring innovative forms of conservation and alternative energy.

And The Brando became reality as one of the world’s most sustainable luxury properties, where, to this day, it remains resolute in its mission for zero carbon footprint hospitality.

A stay that leaves the right kind of impact

Marlon envisioned a place that could change the world, where intellectuals, scientists, travelers, and locals would come together, be inspired, conduct research, and educate others in the place that he called home; A place where luxury lives in harmony with nature; A place that is soul-cleaning and life-changing; Where the outside world melts away; And where connection to nature, wildlife, the Polynesian people, and their culture happens in an authentic and organic way. This is the true treasure of Tetiaroa.

Atoll Life

Wildlife

From the sky above the atoll to the depths of the ocean around it  lives an array of wildlife nearly unrivaled in its diversity for such a small area. Fish share space with crabs, sea urchins, spiny lobsters, sea cucumbers, sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Even whales pass by the outer edge of the atoll during mating season. 

On land, the world’s largest terrestrial arthropod, the Coconut Crab, and a variety of other crabs are the dominant organisms. For centuries, however, the wildlife population on the atoll was at threat from two species of invasive rats. Now, thanks to an eradication effort in 2020, rats were eliminated from Tetiaroa, allowing the native wildlife to thrive. 

In the air, nine species of seabirds call Tetiaroa home, each carving out their own air space and feeding grounds in concentric circles at sea. Tetiaroa also hosts a large breeding population of Pacific Reef Egret, a native terrestrial species. The atoll serves as a wintering site for migratory species such as the Pacific Golden Plover and the Wandering Tattler, which breed in North America, and the Long-tailed Cuckoo from New Zealand.

Flora

Native plants colonized Tetiaroa with their floating fruits or seeds via very light spores dispersed by wind. Birds transported other species, including sticky fruits and edible fruits.  The percentage of native species is very high on atolls like Tetiaroa as opposed to high islands with many more introduced species. 

Along with the native species, there are plants introduced to the atoll by Polynesians. These plants reflect and reveal the activities carried out here. While some are primarily for food, like coconut, Polynesian arrowroot and taro, others are for more specific uses such as medicine, soap, and dyes. Efforts are being made to control and eradicate  invasive introduced species of plants to restore the native ecosystems.

Archeology

Archeology sites dot the landscape across the 12 motus of Tetiaroa. Many are historically significant and rare, such as an archery platform, identified by its crescent-shaped end which was frequented by ari’i nui who came here to prove their strength and mana by shooting arrows in distance. The presence of such archery platforms on Tetiaroa is a strong marker of high-ranked chiefs on the atoll. Also of interest is the basalt anchor in the court of a marae, or sacred place, located in front of the altar. Ancient Polynesians used to consider the ocean as the primordial marae, a concept that might reveal the symbolic meaning of this artifact disposed in such a sacred place.

And on Rimatuu, close to the lagoon shore, a large elevated platform of 23 by 4.5 meters might have served as a a place for dancing. In the vicinity, a freshwater source has been arranged by disposing coral slabs on edge.

“Tetiaroa is beautiful beyond my capacity to describe”


Marlon brando

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Spa & Wellness

Varua Te Ora Polynesian Spa is a sanctuary nestled in the embrace of the atoll. The entry is a portal to elevated pathways that wind through tropical undergrowth, diverging here and there like the branches of a tree, and leading to secret abodes for relaxation, meditation, contemplation, and healing.

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Dining

New culinary experiences unfold as the innovative French chef Jean Imbert brings a signature culinary style to the resort’s dining, a fusion of Polynesian flavors and classical French techniques.

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Accommodations

Spread across the Onetahi motu and set back just off the beach are 33 private villas, each a retreat within this sanctuary called Tetiaroa…

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Experiences

Tetiaroa atoll is brimming with life, a natural wonderland calling to be explored. From kayak excursions to the outer limits of the atoll, to diving expeditions below the surface, or lessons in traditional palm weaving, there’s much to discover and share.

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Tetiaroa Society

Inspired by the late Marlon Brando’s vision to preserve sanctuaries for future generations and raise awareness of the fragility of our environment…

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Location

Flights converge from across the globe at Faa’a International Airport, introducing travelers to Papeete, Tahiti, where Air Tetiaroa awaits to whisk them away on a 20-minute scenic flight to Tetiaroa.

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Gallery

One of the most visually breathtaking places on the planet, the Southern Pacific seems to abound in endless and effortless beauty…

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Stewardship

The Brando is singularly focused on one mission: zero carbon. Sustainability on the atoll is a partnership—if the Tetiaroa Society is the guardian of the atoll, then The Brando is the vehicle to showcase the work of the Society with the world…

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