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Snorkeling and Dolphins at Scenic Island Resorts in French Polynesia

“Moorea is the most beautiful island in the world,” says travel writer Bill Goodwin in Frommer's South Pacific. “Nothing compares with its sawtooth ridges and the dark-green hulk of Mount Rotui separating Cook's and Opunohu bays.” Just 9 miles northwest of Tahiti in the South Pacific, the tiny French Polynesian island of Moorea is less congested than its better-known neighbor. But it’s a hidden gem for its gorgeous mountain vistas, and while you’re here, you can swim with dolphins. Meanwhile, Tahiti is just as picturesque; it’s known as the gateway to French Polynesia, dating back to the late 18th century when Captain Cook first sailed ashore.

You’ll get a taste of both Tahiti and Moorea on this six-day, five-night French Polynesian vacation, which begins with an Air Tahiti Nui flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Faa’a International Airport (PPT) in Tahiti. The trip includes hotel accommodations, several excursions, daily breakfast, and all transfers.

Tahiti

You’ll spend two nights in a garden room at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort, a tropical retreat on the west coast of Tahiti. At the resort, you’re free to try a wide range of activities, from snorkeling to Tahitian quilt making.

On a half-day tour of the island (included with this getaway), you’ll circle an 80-mile road in an air-conditioned minivan with an English-speaking guide. Highlights of the trip include the geyserlike blowholes along oceanfront bluffs and One Tree Hill, a headland named by Captain James Cook that offers stunning coastal views.

Moorea

After a ferry ride across the bay to Moorea, you’ll stay three nights in a lanai room at the Intercontinental Moorea Resort & Spa, located next to the mountains on the island’s northwestern wing. A gourmet restaurant here serves Polynesian specialties, with three theme nights each week incorporating beach buffets, barbecue, fresh fish, and Tahitian dance.

At one point, you’ll head out on a lagoon cruise for snorkeling and a picnic lunch beneath coconut trees (included in this Getaway). You’re free to explore the island or do a meet-and-greet with a dolphin at the Moorea Dolphin Center, located at the resort.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.