Hollywood often uses stock shots of Moorea’s jagged mountains, deep bays and emerald lagoons

Moorea is the first Tahitian island seen by most visitors. It does not disappoint. Since you arrive in French Polynesia at night, the magnificent sight of Tahiti’s sister island is what greets most guests on awakening in their Papeete hotel. This is the quintessential Polynesian dreamscape. Hollywood often uses stock shots of Moorea’s jagged mountains, deep bays and emerald lagoons and even Moorea’s resorts to create a particular South Seas setting for movies. Its magnificent and inspiring geographic profile shows up on innumerable postcards and on the 100CFP coin. The island’s mountain-shadowed bays are certainly among the world’s most photographed bodies of water. The physical attributes of this island are really what Tahiti travel is all about.

Most of what you will want to see and do when you travel on Moorea lies on its north coast, between the ferry wharf at Vaiare and the area known as Haapiti on the island’s north-western corner. A large Club Med dominated the Haapiti district until it closed in 2002, and locals still say “Club Med” when referring to this area.

Most Moorea resorts have active water sports programs for their guests, such as glass-bottomed-boat cruises and snorkelling in, or sailing on, Moorea’s beautiful lagoon. Fishing, hiking and horseback riding can also be arranged. Moorea’s 18 hole Golf Course opened in mid 2007 and it is has an on-site resort and spa. When you travel to Moorea you will agree that the setting, from its mountains to its turquoise lagoon, is spectacular.

When to travel to Moorea

As with all the islands, Moorea has a tropical climate with two seasons. The dry season, May to October is the Polynesian winter, with temperatures usually between 23-32C and little rain and July is the busiest month. Despite December-February being the hottest, rainiest time, Moorea travel is recommended year round.