Marvelous Mo'orea
Move over Bora Bora, Mo'orea's in town. With its jagged mountain massifs and chassis of teal-colored lagoons, this island paradise is more than a match for the South Pacific's other honeymoon hotspots. Throw in an enticing range of Mo'orea vacation rentals, ranging from coveted over-water bungalows with fish viewing decks to chic Polynesian villas built from palm wood, and you can begin to see why romantic types have been flocking here for decades. And that's not even mentioning the scope for adventure _ think 4X4 safaris, snorkeling with reef sharks, backcountry riding, and more.
Experiencing Tiki in Mo'orea
Deep in the mist-topped, jungle-dressed volcano valleys of the island, the adrenaline-pumping ziplines and giant swings of the Mo'orea Tiki Parc give something to excite the whole family. That's just down the road from the famous Belvedere Lookout, where the ruins of mysterious Polynesian temples give way to panoramic views of Rotui Mountain and the South Pacific bays _ don't forget the camera for that. For an intro into the local Tiki culture of French Polynesia, the Tiki Village has dance shows, as well as craft workshops and cook ups.
Mo'orea _ more than just a honeymoon
It's all very well if you do just come to Mo'orea for the wedding and the honeymoon. The glimmering, star-filled nights and the picture-perfect tropical beaches are hard to beat for an iconic romantic jaunt. But Mo'orea vacation rentals also offer a ticket to much more. They offer SCUBA sessions in crystal-clear lagoons. They offer bone-rumbling 4X4 safaris through the misty jungles. They offer encounters with Tiki chefs and lessons in Polynesian cooking skills. This island's not just a pretty face, you know.
Curious seasons in Mo'orea
Mo'orea is one of those curious southern hemisphere hotspots where the highest visitor numbers rarely coincide with the best weather. In fact, most people come from May to October, cranking up hotel rates and booking out the wedding venues. Just be ready for sporadic rainfall then, because it's officially the rainy time of year. The driest period, the calmest seas and the top SCUBA diving conditions come between November and March, when you're likely to find plenty of Mo'orea vacation rentals to choose from, too.
Rugged mounts to resplendent seas in Mo'orea
Mo'orea is a lesson in the wild beauties of French Polynesia. Jungle-clad peaks soar overhead as the collapsed remains of an ancient volcano scar the land. The fertile soil has been sprouted by misty woods, where waxy groups of palms and curious fruit-bearing trees crowd the muddy trails. Of course, it's the beaches and the coast that really draw the crowds here, though. Like something out of Robinson Crusoe, they come with powdery sand and lanky coconut groves, all ringed by coral reefs where sharks and turtles make their home.
Traveling to and around Moorea
The nearest airport is in Moorea (MOZ-Temae), located 6.3 mi (10.2 km) from the city center.