Mo’orea

The must-haves

The 3rd edition of the ANOE guide is now available

P2_12_TAHITI_TAHITI - Marae Arahurahu © Stéphane Mailion Photography-2405x1592

Cultural places to visit in Tahiti and Moorea

Taking Instagrammable photos in Polynesia

Dangers you may encounter in Tahiti

TAHITI TOURISME © Grégoire Le Bacon-2567x1712

Tama’a maita’i! Polynesian cuisine

Articles, lists and more

3 playlists to feel the authenticity of Polynesia

Cultural places to visit in Tahiti and Moorea

7 maritime activities not to be missed

Mo’orea Island

Let me introduce you to Tahiti’s sister island, Mo’orea, which also owes its name to the legend of the yellow lizard (mo’o = lizard and rea = yellow). Mo’orea is there, so close and even visible to Tahiti (just 30 minutes by ferry) and yet so far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Read more
This small, heart-shaped piece of land, 65 kilometers in circumference, has all the makings of a charmer.
My advice? Drive around the island at local speed (40 to 50 km/h) in order to
rhythm. Then climb up to the Belvedere for a breathtaking view of its two huge, deep bays, Opunohu and Cook.
Where do you think Captain Cook anchored his ship in 1777 on his 3rd Pacific voyage? (Careful, there’s a catch!)
Opunohu Bay, not Cook’s Bay! From there, from the Belvedere,
hike to the Col des Trois Cocotiers, descend into the pineapple fields and step back in time to discover the marae, ancient Maohi places of worship. Finally, swim, explore the lagoon and stroke the stingrays! Beware: you’ll never leave Mo’orea unscathed!

Tips

10-track playlist: Songs to listen to before or during your stay

Listening time: 43 min

Tanning and swimming: how to keep an eye on your stuff at the beach!

Can you leave your stuff on the beach?
Before you leave
Leave your most precious items at your accommodation, including your passport and cash.
Check your rental car key: electronic? It doesn’t like water!
Once on the beach
- The eagle eye: before diving into the ocean, take a look around you. Find a strategic spot where you can keep an eye on your belongings while letting the waves wash over you.
- Friendly neighbors: get to know the beachgoers around you. Friendly neighbors can become your trusted allies in keeping an eye on your gear when you take a water break.
- Waterproof magic: invest in a waterproof pouch to protect your phone, keys and other sensitive items. That way, you can take them with you even in the waves, without worrying about the water.
- Clever staging: arrange your belongings in such a way that they don’t scream “Steal me!” A simple, well-arranged pareo can do wonders to deter wandering hands.
- Keep your head up when swimming: a little common sense always pays off. Don’t stray too far from shore, and occasionally look out of the water for your belongings.
So, ready to conquer the beach and lagoon without stress? Keep a sharp eye, make friends and enjoy the sun without worrying about your belongings. Happy sunbathing and swimming! 🌞✨

Gift ideas: vanilla-based

Vanilla as a gift

What does Moorea mean?

Knowledge is better
The meaning of the name Mo’orea
Once known as Eimeo, the island of beauty is now called Moorea (Mo’orea), which means yellow lizard.
We translate lizard as “mo’o” and yellow as “re’a”.
Located 17 kilometers west-northwest of the island of Tahiti, its name derives from the legend of the jaune lizard, from the neighboring island of Moʻorea called Maiʻao.
Here’s his caption:
In the distant past on the island of Maiʻao, a couple, Temaiātea vahine and Temaiātea tāne, had an unusual child from an egg.
The mother had a vision of a yellow child. When the egg hatched, it revealed a baby yellow lizard named Moʻoreʻa by the father.
The couple feed it until it becomes enormous, provoking their fear.
Fearing the giant lizard, they fled the island by pirogue towards the rising sun. Feeling abandoned, Mo’ore’a threw herself into the sea to find her parents.
Exhausted, he drowned, his body drifting to the shore of Vai ana’e in ʻAimeho.
Fishermen discovered his body, and a high priest renamed the island of ʻAimeho to Moʻoreʻa in honor of the yellow lizard.

Polynesian metal? Listen to URAVENAD

Yes, under the coconut trees, here we also listen to thrash metal

Listen to ETO, a Tahitian artist

A sound, a melody and this artist's commitment to preserving nature

The sound of percussion, Tahiti

The toe're, listen to the sound

Cooking shrimps from the peninsula

An easy-to-prepare local dish - get cooking!
Ingredients
500 g shrimp, 1 red onion, 3 cloves garlic, fresh ginger, 1 tomato Curry powder, Garam masala, coconut milk, olive oil, fleur de sel, black pepper
Preparation
Finely chop the onion and garlic and grate a piece of fresh ginger. Dice the tomato and set aside in a bowl.
In a hot pan with a little olive oil, add a generous pinch of curry powder and a pinch of garam masala. Stir gently to bring out the aromas.
Add the onions, garlic, ginger and diced tomato to the pan, then simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Remove the pan from the heat and reserve the mixture in another container. In the same hot pan, brown the shrimps until they reach the desired color.
Return the first preparation (onion, garlic, ginger, tomato and spices) to the pan with your shrimp, and simmer until all the ingredients are well blended.
Now it’s time to gently pour in your coconut milk to create a creamy sauce. Season with a pinch of fleur de sel and black pepper to taste, and simmer briefly for the sauce to thicken.
Serve hot and enjoy your coconut milk curry shrimp with your favorite accompaniment. Of course, we recommend a small bowl of hot rice and a handful of beans.
Tama’a maita’i
To see other recipes, visit the Chefs de Tahiti website:
https://chefsdetahiti.pf/crevettecurrycoco/