Moorea Island (Society Islands, French Polynesia)

Moorea is a high island located in French Polynesia, one of Windward Islands, part of Society Islands, 17 km (11 miles) northwest of Tahiti. The true spelling of Moorea is "Mo'ore'a", meaning "yellow lizard" in Tahitian. 'Aimeho, sometimes also spelled 'Aimeo / 'Eimeo, is an older name for the island. Early Western colonists and travelers also referred to Moorea as York Island.

Several ferries go to Vaiare wharf in Moorea daily from the Tahitian capital, Papeete. The Vaiare wharf is in Vaiare bay. There are three ferries, and one of them is 'Aremiti 5. The biggest one is 'Aremiti Ferry and the other is Moorea ferry. The ferries have to pass through Moorea's coral pass, and then toward Papeete across the ocean into the Tahiti Lagoon.

Moorea Island was formed as a volcano 1.5-2.5 mill years ago, as a result of geologic hotspot in the mantle under oceanic plate which formed the whole of Society Archipelago. It is theorized that formerly, current bays were river basins that filled during Holocene searise. Moorea is about ten miles in width from the east to the west. There are a couple of small, nearly symmetrical bays on island's north shore. 

Due to its stunning scenery and accessibility to Papeete, Moorea Island is visited by plenty of western tourists who sail to French Polynesia. Moorea is especially famous as a honeymoon destination, and can often be seen in advertisements in wedding magazines. Arthur Frommer (Frommer's travel guide) declared that he considered it the world's most beautiful island.

International flights are served by Tahiti's Faaa International Airport (approx 5 km / 3 mi) from Papeete. From there, fly tourists usually take the ferry to Moorea. Moorea Airport serve only domestic flights, operated by the local airline Air Tahiti.

Moorea Island cruise terminal