Mo'orea

Mo'orea is known as one of the most beautiful of the Polynesian Islands.  The hospitality of the local residents, combined with the warm turquoise water of the lagoon and the broad range of sights and activities, help make this a wonderful destination.

Mo'orea was formed as a volcano about 2 million years ago, the result of the Society hotspot in the mantle under the oceanic plate that formed the whole of the Society Archipelago.  Archaeological evidence indicates that the Society Islands, including Tahiti and Mo'orea, were probably settled from Samoa and Tonga around the year 200.  The first Europeans arrived in 1606, followed by European settlers in the 18th century. 

Our ship drops anchor in Cook's Bay, containing the largest community on Mo'orea at the bottom of the bay.  We go ashore and take a snorkel trip around the island.

Looking back at Cook's Bay

Heading out of the bay

And along the coast

We pass by the Intercontinental Mo'orea, much of it still closed and showing tropical cyclone damage.

Intercontinental

We enter Opunohu Bay, around the corner from Cook's Bay and find a pod of dolphins playing in the water.

Opunohu Bay

Park along the bay

Dolphins playing

We head out of the bay and over to Motu Tiahura, but find it is crowded and depart southeast for a more private snorkeling spot.

Motu Tiahura

Dining on the water

After a while, we find our private snorkeling spot near a small reef and jump in the water.  The water is great and the colorful fish are plentiful

Snorkel spot

In the water we go

After our fill of views of beautiful, colorful fish (and the occasional turtle and baby shark swimming underneath and by us) we turn around and head back to the ship, stopping occasionally for turtles and other sights in the water.

Heading back

Turtles cruising  by

Typical for the region and our trip, the clouds roll in, a little rain falls, then it clears and we dry off, all in a brief time frame.

Storm clouds

We enter Cook's Bay and return to our ship for the final night on board, returning to Tahiti the next morning.

Returning to the ship

This may be the final night of the cruise, but when we reach Tahiti tomorrow, we'll hop on a ferry and return to Mo'orea for more exploration and relaxation.