Tag 50: Moorea - The little sister of Tahiti

Just like its big sister Tahiti, Moorea is one of the "Islands above the Wind". With an area of ​​around 133 square kilometers, Moorea is home to 17,000 inhabitants. Around 3,300 live in the main town of Afareaitu on the east coast. Among the islands of Polynesia, Moorea is considered the most beautiful by many visitors. It is known for its variety of landscapes and its shape. With its two impressive bays - Cook Bay and Opunohu Bay - on the north coast, Moorea appears like a heart or a butterfly. The famous V-shaped mountain range Mou'a Puta (pierced mountain), which separates the two bays, also shapes the impressive silhouette of the island.

When we arrive at the pier with the tender, we find ourselves on the edge of a souvenir market that offers the same things as we already know from Papeete. On the edge, we meet Remi, who recommends a boat tour with snorkeling and swimming with stingrays and black reef sharks for $50 with his family business. After a short consideration, we take the opportunity.

With about ten guests, we drive to a shallow spot in a small boat. There, the stingrays are fed and we can play with these animals in chest-deep water, touch them, and dive under them. Two sharks of about 1.5 meters in length also circle around us, as well as various small and larger colorful fish. The stingrays feel prickly on the spine, but otherwise soft and slippery. Fantastic!

After half an hour, we continue. To a beautiful sandy beach with a small pub. Here, you can also get pizza and grilled dishes. The stay is cozy and we stay for about 3 hours. Then we take the same route back. We all agree that it was a beautiful vacation day.