"Tahiti's Beautiful Neighbor" a Moorea Travel Page by minstrel74

Any visit to Tahiti must include a trip to this gorgeous island. Only 16km northwest of Papeete (on Tahiti), Moorea offers visitors the laid-back atmosphere and white-sand beaches that many may find lacking in the capital city and surrounding area. Although heavily developed as a tourist destination, and yes, very upscale, there are many places on Moorea where travelers can find some peace and quiet away from the hordes of sunbathers and dissolute merrymakers. Most of the luxury accomodation is on the north side of the island, leaving the south side to those who want to explore a bit off the beaten track, hobnob with the locals, and generally get away from the holiday vibe that can be felt from the ferry dock all the way to Hauru Point.

For those who may have spent several weeks in less-touristed parts of the South Pacific, this is a great place to splurge and take a break from the Ramen noodles and your quest to find the lost tribes of Polynesia. Like it or not, Moorea is made for tourists. You know what they say--if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

For those who have come to use up their energy on Moorea, rather than regain it, the island offers plenty of opportunities for biking, hiking, and all manner of strenuous activities. It is not a flat island--if you attempt to go up to the Belvédère lookout by bicycle, you will become aware of this very quickly! Incidentally, bicycle is a great way to see the whole island; I managed to explore the entire perimeter of Moorea this way without sacrificing my freedom or my ability to zip around quickly from place to place. Highly recommended if you can tolerate the heat and humidity.

There is no shortage of archaeological sites on Moorea. Specifically, the Opunohu Valley has a number of marae easily accessible from the main road up to Belvédère. Since most visitors seem to be more interested in the beaches and resorts, you may find you have a few of these sites all to yourself. Don't miss this opportunity to see some of the remnants of Polynesia's interesting past.