Dream Island

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Location When you arrive in Tahiti, the plane inevitably flies over Moorea Island which is just 17 kilometres away.

Moorea, "Sister Island", is famous for its magnificent lagoons where white sand beaches and turquoise waters contrast with the lush vegetation covering its mountains.

You have two options to reach Moorea Island on departure of Papeete.

By air, from Tahiti Faaa Airport which is just 10 minutes away from Papeete central city. AIR MOOREA provides out shuttles every hour to join Moorea Temae Airport.

By sea, from "Quai des Ferries" in Papeete it's just a 30 minute ride. Private companies carry out regular shuttles every hour to join Moorea Vaiare Harbour.

In Moorea, it takes about 20 minutes by car to join Dream Island, located on one of the two principal "motus" in Moorea's lagoons. All along the road, you will be delighted by fabulous sceneries like the famous Cook's Bay, Opunohu's Bay and the impresive green covered crests which attest to the volcanic past of the Island.

You will also discover the numerous and picturesque churches dedicated to the different religious assemblies represented in French Polynesia. Moorea's inhabitants are as all the other Polynesians, very strong believers.

This coast road joins the village of Haapiti, a principal area for major hotels, commercial shopping and services of the Island.

The lagoon's crossing from Haapiti to Dream Island " motu " is about 3 minutes - a fabulous occasion to sail on the incredible turquoise waters, of rare purity, which have nothing to envy about those usually seen on traditional post cards.

Accommodations

After a few minutes of crossing, Dream Island's boat comes along side to a magnificent private beach made of white sand, shellfishes and corals, where several metres higher, overhanging the lagoon's peaceful waters, two traditionally built 'fare' open themselves on large shady desks. The third 'fare', distanced from the beach, takes shelter under local species, surrounded by a soft green lawn, among plants and flowers with rare and delicate fragrances.

The island's building materials are traditional, giving the property a typically Polynesian character - all part of the charm.

The roofs, made with pandanus (local braided plant), guarantee a constant ventilation and natural cooling of the different rooms, all conceived to remain in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature.

Each fare benefits from technical layouts of quality and the furniture is delicately arranged to keep its natural atmosphere of quiet exoticism. Everything has been calculated for the well-being of Dream Island's guests, including the choice of refined crockery.

This is a unique place, so distant from traditional hostelry, where you will have the possibility to lose your habits, taste to the bewitching charm of tropical latitudes and finally accomplish your more far-off dreams.

Nature

The motus are small islands of sand strewing the lagoons which generally surround Polynesian islands, of volcanic origin. In Moorea, the lagoons are more remarkable for their colour, deep turquoise blue, than by the gorgeous transparency of their waters

The coral which develops in these waters serves as habitat to a large number of fishes species like ume, the tore and also the paihere.

On Dream Island's motu, a large diversity of trees, plants and tropical blooms constitute a real nature reserve which shelters important wildlife.

A lot of birds like the vini, the sterne and the otahaa (big mythical bird) nest on the motu, guaranteeing these species freedom and protection.

Among the more common species of trees, we find the coconut, the most important tree for the Polynesians who use its fruits as a base for food. Its oil also elaborates natural cosmetics products. The trunk and the palms are used in manufacturing a lot of items for construction like the niau (braided mat made for covering houses). We also distinguish the toa or iron wood which generally constitutes the frameworks of the fare. The aïto or local pinel which serves to manufacture numerous ordinary items as the umete (a large oval dish for fruits or foods dressing) and many other items useful for cooking.

Traditional local plants like the pandanus are usually used for the manufacture of roofs for houses and also as the peue (large braided mat which generally covers the fare's floor), and a lot of different items to embellish house decorations.

Then come the fruits trees like the mango, the lemon tree, the papaya, the banana or also the famous uru or tree of bread, which takes its reputation from the extraordinary adventure of the Bountys mutineers. Among the flowers, celebrities include the hibiscus,frangipanis, jasmin, gardenia, and the tiare Tahiti which breathes out a subtle and rare fragrance. It is also used to make necklaces of flowers which are renowned to be the base of Polynesian welcome.

Leisure

In addition to the usual activities generally offered by traditional hostelry in the islands, such as yachting, scuba diving, water skiing, sportfishing or other beach activities, Dream island also offers leaving the beaten track by discovering the manufacturing technique of the famous "pareo" worn, with so much grace, by the vahine of French Polynesia.

With its refined and glittering colours, its harmonious and artistic graphics, the "pareo" is a complete part of the Polynesians lifestyle.

Both men and women wear this well known piece as often as they can because the tropical climate in the islands can oscillate all year long between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius.

And then, to become more immersed with local atmosphere, it takes about 5 minutes by boat to join the Tiki Village Theater in Moorea, a high place of Polynesian culture to live and experience the most important periods of Polynesian History.

The visitor discovers a reenactment of Polynesian living from its origins, the secrets and magic of tattoo and sacred rituals performed by a troupe of 60 dancers and actors.

At last, why not simply take time to admire the most beautiful sunsets of South Pacific directly from the terrace of your house and relish the famous " maitai", a local rum based cocktail with pineapple juice and coconut liquor, served on the rocks.

Surfing

Surfing is a source of rare pleasure, a way of invigorating - an exceptional physical adventure - even a fountain of youth.

This passion for waves and sport make the waveboard a totem. Surfing becomes a warrior culture and the surfers become members of the tribe putting up their "maestria" of the mythical arm.

The surfers do not resemble anyone. Colossus or teenagers, they are sculpted by the same activity: their arms and shoulders become tools to row, their backs are built by dint to throw back.

Even the most imposing of them acquires this lightness of swimmer, an agility developed by dancing on the waves. The surfers love to watch water, the waves and the sky.

And finally when a surfer leaves with a wave, you observe him sculpted in this little water wall in an huge expanse - the World seems, during a period of time, big enough for all of us.