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TAHITI

About Moorea:
Moorea, sister island to Tahiti, is located about 17 kilometers northwest of the island of Tahiti. Readily visible from Tahiti, one sees the island as a 15 kilometer line of jagged peaks planted admirably on the horizon, offering one of the loveliest views imaginable. The scene presents all its grandeur at the end of the day when the setting sun puts these crags in sharp and somber silhouette against the red-gold of its dying light. Much of Tahiti's paradisiacal myth is owed to this splendid tableau. Of course, Moorea's history is intimately bound up with that of Tahiti. Shaken by the incessant tribal wars among the high chiefs of Tahiti, Moorea's ruling clique changed constantly. In 1790, thanks to the muskets left him by Captain Bligh, Pomare I managed to vanquish his enemies and to regain and maintain his authority over the island. Also, it was on Moorea the 9th of September, 1842, that Pomare IV accepted the principle of the French protectorate that was ratified by King Louis-Philippe the 25th of March, 1843. The island of Moorea, a part of the Pomare fiefdom, became French at the same time as Tahiti.

With a land area of 13,237 hectares, Moorea has a population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants. This number is steadily increasing, particularly since the advent of the high speed catamarans that offer several rotations a day, with each trip between the islands taking less than 30 minutes. This makes it possible to enjoy suburban living on Moorea while employed on Tahiti.

The economic activity of the island is dominated by tourism, but agriculture, fishing and stock farming are also of considerable importance. The island is not disfigured by a cross-hatching of power poles and electric lines, thanks to a far seeing mayor and island council who insisted that all electrical and telephone installation be made under ground. This contributes significantly to the island's overall beauty, it's holiday air of insouciance. It is truly the origin of the term"Tahiti syndrome".

Our group will land in Papette on the island of Tahiti. After clearing customs, we'll get immediately on the 15 minute flight to Moorea. On Moorea we'll be staying at a quiet hotel owned by two Americans who have lived on Moorea for the past 25 years, the Club Bali Hai. Our air conditioned rooms will be located about 200 feet from the tiki bar where local Tahitian woman will prepare us breakfast in the morning and fresh tropical drinks in the evening. This overlooks the small beach, pool, and one of the best snorkeling sites on Opunohu Bay.

We did a reef fish count last year and counted over 50 species within 200 feet of the beach. The sound of the pool waterfall makes a great backdrop to the views of lush mountainsides dropping down to clear blue ocean. During our stay at Moorea, we dove with Juan Duran Lopez of Bathy's Dive Club. Juan is a Frenchman whose exuberance for diving is contagious. His connection with the sharks in the area lends a sense of personal interaction to each dive. Even after years working in close contact with sharks, we were mesmerized when Juan pulled a 75 pound tuna's head out of a sack and held it as a gang of white tip sharks tore it to pieces.Juan will introduce us to
his lemon shark friends as well as Moorea's beautiful coral formations like the Rose garden where giant 10' diameter cabbage coral formations crowd the sea floor. Moorea's limited wildlife on land is balanced by over 500 species of marine life and incredible viability. We'll dive, hike, and experience the dream of "Tahiti syndrome" for ourselves!

When: TBA

Cost: $2,690.00

Accommodations: On Moorea, the Club Bali Hai. On Tahiti, Tahiti
Intercontinental. All air conditioned rooms.

Transportation: Flights from Los Angles to Papette and then to Moorea. Rapid
ferry from Moorea to Papette and return flight from Papette to Los Angles.

Meals: Only breakfast each day and a banquet on the last night.

Diving: 2 to 3 dives each day and one night dive.

General

Chartered dive boat and project oceanographer on board to lead
expedition.
All Tanks, weights, oceanographic equipment and project specific gearÂ
provided.
Oceanographic Diver Team shirt.
Expedition Banquet on last night.
Research Diver Course and Oceanographic Diver certification.

Experience: To ensure a safe, productive expedition, certified divers must
have logged 25 logged dives and a minimum of 3 night dives.

Limited Space: Team size limited to 10 divers.

Deposits: A $500.00 deposit will be required to secure your position on the
team. Balance is due 75 days before departure. Team members will receive a
detailed Expedition Plan before departure.