Moorea, known as "the Island of Love" is considered to be the inspiration for James Michener's mythical island of Bali Hai and was the natural backdrop for the legendary paintings of French impressionist, Paul Gaugin. Marked by volcanic peaks, turquoise lagoons, multi-colored reef fish, lush valleys and white sand beaches, Moorea is one of 118 Tahitian islands and atolls that comprise the area officially known as French Polynesia. Scattered over 1.5 million square miles of the eastern South Pacific, the total land area consists of five archipelagoes, each with its own culture, ethnicity and climate. Moorea is in the Society Islands archipelago and is separated by Tahiti by a very deep stretch of water, 17 km wide.
The coral reef surrounding Moorea goes so far out that the crystal clear water is only chest deep in many areas, making it ideal for snorkelers to see a wide variety of marine life.
