Moorea Pictures
South Pacific
Click on photos below to see Moorea Beaches
Part of Moorea's stunning skyline from the road on the island's south side.
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Moorea,
though a bit short of huge beaches is an island that is much closer
to a tropical paradise than Tahiti. It's quiet, has no town or even
village, is surrounded by clear waters and a moderately thriving coral
reef, offers white sand beaches and a totally magnificent group of
green mountainous peaks in its centre.
In fact Moorea is what Tahiti may have been 30 years ago, and Tahiti
is, pessimistically, what Moorea may become in 15 years time. i.e.
Too many people, too much interest in the XPF [local currency, the
Pacific Franc] and too many cars. But at the moment prices in Moorea
are reasonable [not cheap, we hasten to add, just not ridiculous],
the [one] circular road is fairly clear, the people are relaxed and
friendly [though mostly French speaking], facilities are comfortable
[but mosquitoes are hungry] and a massive range of quality marine
activities in a huge turquoise lagoon.
Just
half an hour by fast cat [20kms/12mls] from depressing Papeete lies
Moorea, backdrop to many a Hollywood movie with its jagged green mountains,
little developed bays and aquamarine lagoon.
The island's peaks are probably all that remains of an ancient volcano
while the all-enveloping lagoon is due to a coral ring surrounding
the island which ensures that marine activities are prolific and possible
under most weather conditions.
Moorea's
white sand beaches are generally narrow and spotted with coral droppings
so they are a little uncomfortable to walk on and coral lumps and
outcrops can make them tricky to swim from, but the water is clear,
warm, azure and coral fish are abundant. The best beaches, which are
bigger and well manicured, belong to the international - need we say,
very, very pricey - five star hotels.
Coral inside the big outer reef is not in very good shape, much of
it dead, but the fish are kaleidoscopic, and small black tip sharks
and amiable stingrays amusing.
Activities include the usual snorkelling, kayaking, diving, parasailing, windsurfing of course, but also kite surfing, swimming with sharks, lunching with sting rays and high quality dolphin encounters in one of the five star hotels. Outside the reef the extravagant few can scuba dive, possibly snorkel with spinner dolphins or see pilot whales all year round and go humpback whale watching July-October. Courageous and skilled nutters with boat support can also surf the big waves over the outer ring reef.
A dolphin at work in the Beachcomber [Intercontinental] hotel. Note the lovely but hideously expensive waterfront bungalows.
One of Moorea's least must-sees, an ancient fort - one of several piles of rocks on the island.
Inland
there are no urban centres and only occasional clusters of shops.
Best accommodation is right on the north shore with the road behind,
while the cheaper, backpacker places are often just on the other side
of the road.
Land activities are limited, with bicycling on the island's flat ring
road [pictured above, 60kms/36mls in length] probably the best way
to get some exercise [rental bikes are available] or a couple of steep
roads up to prime viewpoints at Belvedere, below Mount Rotui, from
where Cook's bay and Opunohu Bay can be clearly seen. Small scooters
are for hire at considerable cost.
Moorea has some ancient sights, forts that are now little more than
organised piles of stones.
As far as evening entertainment goes, apart from the obligatory sunset
cocktails the most obvious action is attending a Tahitian feast followed
by a traditional and an erotic - if commercialised - dance show, grass
skirts, thrusting hips and all. Ah, so that's what got syphilitic
old Gauguin the goat going!
