Moorea

Out of the 7 islands we visited, we spent the most time in Moorea.  A bigger sister to nearby Tahiti, Moorea is the best balance of large and small hotels, quiet Bays, water sports, white sand beaches, hiking, and agriculture.  You take the 30 minute ride on a comfortable high-speed car ferry from La Gare Maritime de Papeete into Vaiare in Moorea, and pray that your ride shows up.  The taxis are incredibly expensive and the ferry terminal is a long distance away from all the hotels on the island.  It’s best to confirm your hotel transfer before you leave Tahiti.  We stayed at Hotel Kaveka in Maharepa, in one of several comfortable bungalows just a few yards from the water.  In Moorea, there are literally dozens of tours offered to all guests, most at reasonable prices. From jetskiing, sailing, diving, hiking, land and mountain tours, BBQs on a remote island, to swimming with sharks and manta rays, this island pretty much has it all.  Albert Tours is probably the biggest and best tour operator on the island, and through our hotel, they were able to set us up with a full week of adventure.