Guide in english

The best cultural experience in French Polynesia is at Tiki Theatre Village, ( www.tikivillage.pf). Founded by Olivier Briac, a Frenchman whom the local Tahitians call Le Sauvage Blanc (White Savage), it's built in the fashion of ancient Tahitian villages. This cultural center has old-style fares (houses) in which the staff demonstrates traditional tattooing, tapa-cloth making and painting, wood and stone carving, weaving, cooking, and making costumes, musical instruments, and flower crowns. There's even a "royal" house floating out on the lagoon.

Locals love to partake of huge ma'a Tahiti feasts on Sunday afternoon, and I join them at Ron Sage's Painapo (Pineapple) Beach ( www.painapo.com), on the southwestern coast. It's a lovely setting with tables under a natural thatched-roof restaurant (with sand floor) as well as outside under the shade of a sprawling beachside tree. Ron's all-you-can-eat Sunday buffet of traditional Tahitian foods costs 3,500CFP (US$44/£22). He also serves an à la carte menu of fresh grilled fish for 1,900CFP to 2,500CFP (US$24-US$31/£12-£16)

You can see the sights and learn a lot about the island on a four-wheel-drive excursion through Moorea's mountainous interior. Albert Tours and Moorea Explorer . Alex and Gheslaine Haamatearii's Inner Island Safari Tours (intersaf@mail.pf), which will take you through the valleys, up to Belvédère Lookout, and then down to a vanilla plantation in Opunohu Valley. They explain the island's flora and fauna along the way. The best trips end with a drive around Moorea's south coast and a hike up to Atiraa Waterfall for a refreshing swim.

The full-day version of these excursions invariably includes a "motu picnic" -- a lunch of grilled fresh fish, poisson cru, and salads served on a motu (little islet) out on the reef. Quite often, the fresh fish is caught on the way. You'll have an opportunity to snorkel in the lagoon and learn how to husk a coconut. Some tours also include shark- and ray-feeding, one of the most interesting and exciting things to do in the water here. Wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet. The cost is about 7,000CFP (US$88/£44) per person. Lagoon Explorer, Moorea Miti tours,Moorea ocean adventure…

Watching and swimming with dolphins is as much a part of the Moorea experience. You also stand a good chance of seeing humpback whales offshore from July until October, when they migrate from Antarctica to calve. The best way to observe the animals in their natural habitat is on a dolphin- and whale-watching excursion led by American marine biologist Dr. Michael Poole (www.drmichaelpoole.com).

Located in the heart of Moorea in the Opunohu Valley, surrounded by all the peaks of the island, its peaceful atmosphere will take you from tree to tree. FUN for families !

In Moorea, 1 km from the Belvedere, the marae (sacred place that was used for social, religious and political activities in Polynesian cultures before colonization.) Of Titiroa stands in the heart of a magnificent mape wood. From Opunohu Bay, take the road towards the agricultural high school. Go past the high school and park on the median laid out at the entrance to the site. Provide mosquito repellent, insects are legion under the trees. The path to the marae is well signposted.

Step into the slippers of a local resident while we munch on Moorea with your local guide, Heimata, who was born and raised in Moorea. Tama'a means eating in Tahitian and that is what we will do when you and your taste buds discover Moorea. During your gastronomic tour, you will taste and discover authentic local finds offering unique flavors where the locals love to eat.