MOOREA (moh-oh-ray-ah) - 17°30'S 149°50'W
Many people have described Moorea as the most beautiful place on earth. One of the features that is so striking about this island is the jagged peaks and spires that give the island its unique profile. Like the other islands in French Polynesia, Moorea's presence is the result of volcanic activity hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Geologists speculate that the northern rim of the volcano either fell into the sea or was blown away by a volcanic explosion, leaving the heart-shaped island of today. The south rim of the ancient volcano makes up the mountain range on Moorea, with Mt. Rotui in the center of what once was the crater of the volcano. This unique geology forms two bays, Opunohu Bay on the west side of Mt. Rotui and Cook's Bay on the east side.
The mountain range that makes up the south rim contains several mountain peaks. The following is a listing of the mountain peaks and their heights, beginning on the northeast side of the island near the village of Temae and continuing clockwise around to the northwest side. The final mountain peak is Mt. Rotui, which is in the center of the island.
Mt. Fairurani - 741 meters - 2,430 feet
Mt. Tearai - 770 meters - 2,525 feet
Mt. Mouaputa - 830 meters - 2,722 feet
Mt. Tohiea - 1,207 meters - 3,959 feet
Mt. Mouaroa - 880 meters - 2,886 feet
Mt. Mouapu - 762 meters - 2,499 feet
Mt. Tautuapae - 769 meters - 2,522 feet
Mt. Matotea - 714 meters - 2,342 feet
Mt. Parata - 517 meters - 1,696 feet
Mt. Rotui - 899 meters - 2,949 feet
Mt. Mouaroa is the mountain that is commonly referred to as the "shark's tooth." It is frequently depicted on post cards and is the image on one side of the 100 CFP coin. Mt. Tohiea has a small hole through the very top of the mountain. The hole is visible from Cook's Bay. Tahitian legend says that when the god of thieves attempted to steal Mt. Rotui, the legendary hero Pai threw his spear from Tahiti and pierced the top of Mt. Tohiea. The noise woke up the roosters on the island and alerted the villagers on Moorea, who stopped the theft.
Whatever the cause of today's landscape on the island, it provides an unforgetable feast for the eyes. The island is clearly visible from Tahiti, which is only 16 km away across the Sea of the Moon. A coral reef surrounds the island, as is the case with most of the Society Islands. There are several entrances into the reef, one being Vaiare Pass, which is on the side of the island facing Tahiti. Inside the reef, on Vaiare Bay, is the location of the ferry dock. Ferries and catamarans make regular trips between Moorea and Tahiti. It is not as quick as flying, but it is still a good way to travel to and from the island.
The airport is located in the village of Temae on the northeast side of the island. Air
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