Page 21 - DreamScapes Magazine | Winter 2024/2025

PHOTOS: © JEREMY AUSTIIN | GRÉGOIRE LE BACON | WORLD MAPPERS
Tahiti: Love Island
The largest island in a long, winding chain of 118
islands in the Pacific Ocean is postcard-perfect Tahiti.
Shaped like a figure eight, it’s affectionately called the
“island of love.” It’s impossible not to be instantly
seduced by its crystalline waters, cerulean lagoons and
majestic mountains. Fresh from showcasing its natural
wonders for the 2024 Summer Olympics where Tahiti
hosted the surfing events, it continues to welcome visi-
tors with its gracious hospitality, natural beauty and its
sandy shorelines. But if you’re seeking the black-sand
beaches, head straight to Lafayette Beach on the north
shore, just 20 minutes from the capital city of Papeete.
Then, continue east to enjoy the easy-to-access, stun-
ning triple waterfalls at Fa’aruma’i Waterfalls. If you’re
chasing one of the tallest waterfalls in the world, then
head inland and a 20-minute zigzag directly south of
the capital to Cascade de Fautaua. Here, a more chal-
lenging hike reveals an impressive drop into a pool of
azure below.
Bora Bora: Twice as Nice
Presiding over the island’s centre is the iconic screen-
saver-worthy Mount Otemanu, jetting up to 727 metres
and visible from every coast. The sand-ringed island
with swatches of pristine white beaches and a vibrant
blue lagoon is an idyllic tropical paradise. Famed for its
overwater bungalow-style hotels, you’d be forgiven for
hanging in your hammock with waters in shades of
blue ombre. When the adventure bug strikes, get ready
to explore via jet ski, lagoon cruise or catamaran. To get
a view from near the top, you can climb the two dor-
mant volcanoes at Mt. Otemanu, the highest peak, and
its neighbouring peak, Mt. Pahia.
Moorea: More to Discover
Hop on a quick ferry ride from Tahiti and head north-
west across the channel to Moorea Island. Approaching
the atoll (a ring-shaped island, including a coral rim
that encircles a lagoon), you’ll marvel at the
astounding beauty of this natural wonder. Find your
bearings and take an ATV ride through fragrant vanilla
and pineapple fields. Head to the island’s centre to hike
Belvedere Lookout for some of the highest views of the
interior and bays. This trailhead is also a great
launching pad for other hiking and cycling trails. Go by
car, foot or ATV to Magic Mountain, accessible from the
northwest of Moorea, and climb to a lookout with two
breathtaking bays.
With coral reefs wrapping its perimeter, it’s a gold-
mine of species awaiting snorkellers and scuba divers.
Additionally, depending on your comfort, you can
swim within or outside
the protected lagoon
and spot dolphins,
stingrays and sharks.
For a more personal
experience, book a
whale-watching excur-
sion with a
knowledgeable guide
who will have you
safely swimming with
these gentle giants.
Stingray World offers
swimming or
snorkelling with blacktip reef sharks and stingrays.
Want to catch some waves? Take a surf lesson at
Moorea Iriatai Surfschool.
DID YOU KNOW?
Herman Melville wrote his first
book, Typee, a travel and
adventure narrative based on
his experiences living on the
island of Nuku Hiva. Melville
later went on to write the
classic, Moby–Dick.
WINTER 2024/2025 DREAMSCAPES 21