Moorea is a marvelously beautiful island just twelve miles from Tahiti. Many visitors to French Polynesia take a trip to Moorea because it has so much to offer the wide-eyed tourist. For years Hollywood has used photographs from Moorea's gleaming lagoons and majestic mountains as "stock shots" for their movies. Moorea is clean and tidy, with a calm air and mood. This is the island you should go to if you really want to relax.
Geologists have deduced that Moorea's stunning landscape came from an erupting volcano thousands of years ago. One thing is for certain; you are sure to fall in love with this heart-shaped island. The majority of the 12,000 residents of Moorea live on the coast, and the fact that there are no towns or cities in Moorea adds to the overall charm. The main crop of the island early in the 20th century was vanilla, and the vanilla producing houses that were set up then still stand today. Modern Moorea is a country that survives economically primarily because of tourism. However, vegetables and pineapples are harvested and shipped daily to Papeete for sale in the marketplace.
Moorea is surrounded by an offshore coral reef, and the island encloses a serene, sparkling blue lagoon. This makes Moorea ideal for scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and boating. Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay are two glorious bodies of water that are finger-shaped and cut through the center of the island. They constantly remain two of the most photographed water masses in the entire world. Mountains surround these enchanting bays, and great hiking trails are everywhere. The citizens of Moorea are polite but fairly withdrawn, quietly going about their peaceful island lives. But do not fall prey to the assumption that Moorea is slow or boring, because this is definitely not the case. Old Polynesia, with its traditional ways, has mixed with exciting tourist attractions to coexist in harmony. There are several fabulous dining facilities, art galleries, and hot shopping spots. Despite the worldwide acknowledgement that Moorea has received for being an island paradise, the beaches and inlands remain uncrowded and unhurried. After the breathtaking scenery, this is perhaps the next best feature of Moorea. Everything is so tranquil, and so far away from the bustling city life that encompasses the majority of the world.