Moorea Outrigger Expedition
Circumnavigation and Exploration of the Most Beautiful Tropical Island in the World – Moorea

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme.

Description:

The Polynesian are well known as the greatest sea voyagers in history. They carried out these voyages on outrigger canoes perfectly designed to carry people efficiently over long distances. Today the Tahitians are the world champions of outrigger paddling. With this unique expedition we invite you to experience a part of Polynesian culture that has crossed from ancient times to the present.

 

Moorea lies just across the Sea of the Moon from Tahiti and experienced tropical island travelers will tell you that it is the most beautiful island in the region, and possibly the world.   It is a high oceanic island with an encircling barrier reef that is home to an amazing array of tropical fish and coral formations.   It's deeply eroded valleys are rimmed by magnificent peaks and cliffs, and the coral reef creates a wonderful calm lagoon, perfect for paddling and exploring.  The people here have yet to be overwhelmed by the tourist hoards as on some of the other islands and there are still places on Moorea that are relatively unexplored. This trip is set up to take advantage of these facts and get to know an island that in some ways is still as stunning and welcoming as when Captain Cook first visited it in 1777. 

 

We will time our days so that we can take in the amazing coastal scenery at a comfortable pace, paddling through crystalline lagoon waters, into magnificent bays, and taking time to get out of our boats with mask and snorkel, and explore the coral reef up close. Along the way we will see why the legends of Moorea liken it to an octopus, as the brilliant greens of the mountain slopes shift colors with the angle of the sun and cover of clouds.  We will also lead some hikes through the tropical forest of the island’s interior, and over ridges connecting dramatic valleys.  On these trails we will see the traces of ancient Polynesian villages – their houses, agricultural fields, and worship sites – and will hear the amazing story of the formation of the island and its coral reef, from underwater volcano to the island you see today, teeming with marine and terrestrial life.  Along the way we will explore the human story of the Polynesian people who first settled these islands and thrived in this earthly paradise.

 

Our outriggers (in Tahitian called va’a) are state of the art racing canoes that we have outfitted for expeditions. Each one carries a maximum of 5 guests and 1 guide who sits in the stern seat and steers the canoe. They are very comfortable, stable, and easy to paddle. We can also attach two canoes together to make a double hull canoe (catamaran) which is great for a large family or group.

 

Our accommodations will be in a variety of hotels and pensions, in order to meet local people on their own terms and get a sense of what modern Polynesia is all about. Upgrades or a customized accommodation plan is available upon request.

Meals included in these tours are specified at the end of each itinerary day as "B," "L," or "D" (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day One
Travel day with arrival in evening. We will meet you upon arrival in Tahiti and get you to your connection to Moorea and then to your hotel for the night.

Day Two
This morning we will start out from the hotel and head west through the lagoon. We will turn into Cooks Bay and do a tour of the Bay, ending up at the UC Berkeley Research Station. We will have a short tour here and a visit to the Atitia cultural center.  After this we will head west through the lagoon to a nice beach for a picnic lunch. After lunch it will be just a short paddle to our pension for the night. That afternoon we can visit the village of Papetoai which has some nice historical and natural sites.  BLD

Day Three
This morning we will explore Opunohu Bay, one of the most spectacular bays in the world and then head west again through the lagoon. Soon we will get to the NW corner of Moorea where there are three reef islands, or motu. We will stop in an area where stingrays congregate and see these beautiful animals swim below our boats. Then we will head to a motu for lunch and snorkeling.  In mid-afternoon we will paddle farther on a short distance to our hotel for the evening.  BL

Day Four
This day we will be paddling down the west coast of Moorea. Along the way we will see some spectacular views of the peaks in the interior. The lagoon in this stretch is very wide and often the surf pounding on the reef can be huge. We will stop along the way to have lunch and snorkel and to look for dolphins, and then finally end up at a wonderful little beach pension, run by a local family.  BLD

Day Five
This day we will leave our canoes at our pension, pack a lunch, and go by van back around and into Opunohu Valley. The main focus of this day will be to explore this valley, talk plants and volcanic landscape, see some of the fantastic archaeological sites, and finally hike from Opunohu Valley over the Trois Cocotiers saddle, and down into the Vaianea Valley. This will lead us straight back to our pension on the beach. This will be a good long day of land exploration.  BL

Day Six
This day we will paddle around the south end of the island and up to beautiful Motu Ahi adjacent to the village of Afareaitu. We will stop along the way to see a wonderful coastal marae (temple site), and take out for lunch. In Afareaitu we will have the privilege of staying on our own motu for the night, sleeping next to the surf on the reef, and watching the sun rise the next day over the soaring peaks of Tahiti to the east.  BLD

Day Seven
This day will be full of options. Local friends will be preparing a traditional Tahitian ahi ma’a (ground oven) and anyone who wants to help out can see how this is done. There will also be an easy hike to a nice waterfall for swimming and exploring. We can also take the canoes for a short paddle, do some snorkeling, or even try our skill at surfing if the waves are up in the pass. In late-afternoon we will open the ahi ma’a and feast, and then carry on with a local bringue (party). That night we will camp again at this special place.  BLD

Day Eight
On this our last day on the water, we will finish our circumnavigation by paddling out of the pass at Vaiare and into the open ocean. Here we will feel the power of the swells and use our acquired skills to pilot our canoes until we reach the tranquil lagoon back on the north side of the island. From here it is just a short paddle to our hotel for the night.  BL

Day Nine
This will be a free day for relaxation, shopping, or exploring other parts of the island.  Your guides will help with all arrangements. Evening departure.  B