Moorea Island

Moorea is a volcanic island about 17 kilometres from Tahiti. Its jagged peaks rise above two deep bays, Cook's Bay and Oponohu Bay, both ringed by turquoise lagoon water. Ships anchor offshore and passengers tender to a small marina. Pineapple plantations, vanilla vines, and coconut palms fill the valleys between the ridges. The Belvedere Lookout has wide views of both bays and Mount Rotui, best visited before 10 a.m. when the light is softest. A 4x4 safari runs through pineapple fields and rainforest, and the lagoons have good snorkelling with blacktip reef sharks and coral gardens. Le Petit Village is the hub for shopping, with Tahitian vanilla, black pearls, and woven pareos. Renting a car gives the most freedom to find quieter beaches and coastal roads. Shops close early and stay closed on Sundays, so plan around that. A Polynesian lunch on a motu, served with fresh fish and coconut, is the meal to have here.