Moʼorea

Moorea is a volcanic island in the Society Islands (French Polynesia), known for its steep interior ridges, lush valleys and sheltered coral lagoons. The island is a popular short-hop destination from Tahiti and a centre for snorkeling, diving and island sightseeing.

Tourist highlights include the twin deep bays on the north coast, dramatic lookouts over the lagoon, pineapple and tropical gardens, and a ring road that provides access to beaches and small villages. Water activities in the lagoon and reef are major draws, and short hikes reach viewpoints over the bays.

The island formed from volcanic activity and has long been inhabited by Polynesians; European contact in the 18th and 19th centuries brought new settlements and trade. In the 20th and 21st centuries Moorea developed an economy focused on tourism, agriculture and inter-island transport links.

Moorea lies in the Windward group of the Society Islands just northwest of Tahiti, separated by a narrow channel. The island’s steep inner ridges fall quickly to a coastal plain and fringing reef, with the main settled areas clustered around the northern bays.

• Connections to Tahiti: Separation from neighbouring Tahiti by a narrow channel makes regular ferry and air connections available from Papeete on Tahiti for quick island transfers.
• Landscape: The interior is rugged volcanic terrain with sharp ridges and central peaks while the coast features coral-fringed lagoons and shallow motu islets.

What to See #

• Cook's Bay: A deep horseshoe-shaped bay on the island's north coast that shelters the main harbour and several resort settlements.
• Opunohu Bay: A wider bay with agricultural land and village settlements; the surrounding ridges give popular hiking routes and viewpoints.
• Belvedere (Lookout): A well-known roadside viewpoint offering panoramic views across Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay towards the central volcanic peaks and the island's lagoon.