Moorea - tips by travel authority Howard Hillman

Moorea

travel wonder in French Polynesia

Why Moorea in

Polynesia is special

Moorea is one of the world's most picturesque tropical islands - and the sheer beauty of its Cook's Bay (see photo) moves one's spirit.

Tips & insights

on Moorea in Polynesia

Moorea is mesmerizingly scenic. You view jagged mountain peaks, lush tropical foliage, and white-sand beaches bordering turquoise lagoons surrounded by coral reefs. Two majestic bays reach far inland, including Cook's Bay.

Moorea highlights include:

Belvedere Lookout - Enjoy a stunning view of the peaks, bays and lagoons from a vantage high up a mountain.

Circle tour - Drive around Moorea along its photogenic shore-hugging road. Do it with an organized tour or on your own with a rented car or scooter. This 65-kilometer (40 mile) drive takes an average of 4 hours.

Luxury resorts - Unwind in your over-the-water bungalow at one of Moorea's lagoon-fronting resorts,

Water sports - You have a wide choice including snorkeling, diving, fishing and sailing.

Moorea is just 19 kilometers (12 miles) from Tahiti. Each is clearly visible from the other.

Most tourists reach Moorea by ferry or airplane from Papeete, Tahiti's capital city. The first takes just 30 minutes, the latter, 10 minutes.

Other travelers arrive on cruise ships and private yachts. Most set anchor in Cook's Bay.

Foreigners are not the only visitors. Droves of Tahiti residents come over for weekend getaways.

Geologically, Moorea is the southern half of a gigantic volcanic caldera dating back 2 million years. The northern half of the caldera lies submerged under the sea.

French Polynesia Map

A large percentage of my Polynesia medalists in French Polynesia. My map locates the 5 island groups - and the islands that earned a medal or made the honorable mention list.