Tupai, Coral atoll in Society Islands, French Polynesia
Tupai is an atoll near Bora-Bora with a land area of roughly 11 square kilometers. It features a broad coral reef system that encloses a sandy lagoon dotted with wooded islets.
In the 1920s, the atoll was considered as a potential settlement location for European colonists. However, the plan was not pursued, and other island locations were selected instead.
The atoll holds significance in local beliefs as a passage point for souls traveling to the afterlife according to Society Islands traditions.
The atoll is only reachable by helicopter from Bora-Bora due to its private airfield. Visiting requires special arrangements and is not available through standard tourism routes.
The atoll has two separate lagoon systems: an inner lagoon and an outer lagoon divided by a secondary coral reef ring. This double structure creates an unusual geographic feature rarely seen in the region.
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