Moorea - An Exotic Island in French Polynesia
Author: Wolfgang Jaegel
Moorea is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in French Polynesia, after Tahiti - the main island. Occupying an area of about 50 square miles, Moorea is located roughly 20 kilometers west of Tahiti, in the Society Archipelago's Windward Group. By air, Moorea is only ten minutes away from Tahiti, and by water it is less than an hour's ride from the main island.
With shady as well as crystalline lagoons, tranquil meadows, towering mountains, beautiful pineapple plantations, astounding waterfalls, and lush green areas, Moorea is truly a tropical paradise. No matter you are couples, single, or one vacationing with your family or friend, Moorea is a great vacation spot for all types of holidaymakers, boasting of plentiful natural splendor as well as water adventure options.
Visitors touring to Moorea can engage in an array of activities, from diving amongst the vivid marine life and strolling along the white sandy beaches to indulging in traditional massages as well as Polynesian spa treatments and savoring exotic cuisines. In short, a visit to French Polynesia would not be complete without taking a tour to the magnificent island of Moorea.
With trident shape, Moorea is much famed for its two magnificent bays: Cook and Opunohu. Probably, the most popular among the attractions in the island is Moorea Dolphin Center, which is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Dedicated to the conservation of the marine life, the Dolphin Center is home to a large number of welcoming bottlenose dolphins can be seen here.
Taking a tour to the dolphin center would be a great way to swim along these beautiful, friendly creatures as well as to learn about their interesting environment. Another prime landmark of the Moorea Island is Tiki Village Theater, where craftsmen live and work and where one could spectacle great Tahitian shows including Tahitian party nights as well as performances of more than 50 dancers including fire dancers, musicians, and other artists.
Set in a pristine environment near a spectacular lagoon, Tiki Village Theater is also a great spot for getting married as well as renewing your marriage vows. Tiki Village allows honeymooners and couples to choose from three types of wedding packages such as Princess Wedding, Royal Wedding, and Royal Deluxe Wedding. Princess Wedding includes authentic Tahitian village, the service of the chief of the village and the High Priest, band of local musicians, marriage certificate made of Tapa, crowns of flowers for couples, bottle of champagne, photographs of the ceremony, and transportation back to the hotel.
In the case of Royal Wedding Package, almost everything covered in the princess wedding is also included in this package plus arrival of couples by canoe from the hotel, carrying of couples in the Royal Chair by four Polynesian warriors, a romantic cruise on the Royal Outrigger canoe accompanied by a band of musicians, and honeymoon night on the Royal Floating House. When comes to the Royal Deluxe Wedding, it consists of singing of Tahitian mamas during the wedding ceremony and spectacular Tahitian dance shows, apart from that are included in both the Princess Wedding and the Royal Wedding packages.
Top attractions in Moorea also include Maison de la Nature, Mou'a Roa, where you can reach by foot via the Vaianae Valley. It is much noted for its lush green setting, and is a great place to savor delicious natural home made jams made of pure honey and dried fruits.
Apart from these, Moorea allows visitors to engage in a number of adventure as well as fun filled water activities such as boat cruising, jet skiing, deep sea fishing, and surfing. Tourists have also option to engage in such activities as parasailing, land tours, and helicopter sightseeing tours.
In order to cater to needs and preferences of the growing number of tourists in the region, a good number of upscale hotels and resorts operate here, such as, Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort, whose exterior structure is based on the ancient mythology of the region, ie, the pyramid-like central buildings representing the male energy and the brilliant fringed hutu blossoms and verdant plant life, the female energy of the island.
Almost all top-end resorts in the area come attached with an array of facilities such as restaurants, bars, swimming pools, fitness centers, spa facilities, tennis courts, and Jacuzzi.Aside from typical hotel guest rooms and suites, many of the resorts in the area also provide opportunities for the guests to stay in incredible overwater bungalows, all of which are luxuriously appointed and surrounded by landscaped setting.
There are also some hotels that render superb packages in the form of wedding packages, honeymoon packages, and packages to enjoy a number of activities in the area. Even some hotels arrange facilities for island tours in order to explore the attractions of the island.
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