For our anniversary, my husband and I decided to celebrate 10 years together in Tahiti. Or more specifically, Moorea.
Moorea is an island in French Polynesia, part of the Society Islands. It’s known as “the magical island,” although the word Mo’orea means “yellow lizard” in Tahitian.
Lush greenery, dramatic mountains and beautiful beaches with turquoise water make up the landscape of this charming little island.
The atmosphere is more laid back and things move along at a much slower pace than the main island of Tahiti. It’s romantic and the island’s tourist industry is geared toward couples.
It’s not quite as popular as FP’s Tahiti and Bora Bora, it still has a lot to offer.
While Tahiti’s main city of Papeete is known for it’s nightlife, Moorea gets quiet and closes down earlier in the evening. Although there are a few good spots around Moorea, snorkeling is better in Bora Bora, but Moorea’s sandy beaches are less crowded.
A few highlights from our trip include: Sunrise and sunset from our overwater bungalow; snorkeling the diverse reef around the island; swimming with and feeding the sharks and rays; a traditional Polynesian motu picnic; visiting a recreated historical Tahitian village; watching a traditional Tahitian dance performance, which included an exciting fire dance; an off-road ATV tour that included a visit to a pineapple plantation, breathtaking scenic views and a lot of interesting information about the history of the island; and our day in Tahiti that included waterfalls, black sand beaches and perusing the market in Papeete.
Moorea also offers an interesting insight into the way of life for many Tahitians, which is drastically different compared to Newport Beach. It’s a unique blend of traditional Tahitian and western influences. There are also numerous dogs roaming freely around, both strays and owned.
Overall, a visit to the beautiful tropical island of Moorea will be interesting and enjoyable.
— Photos and story by Sara Hall ©
