Said to be the inspiration for the mythical Bali Hai, the tiny island of Moorea has managed to hold onto its laid-back charm. About an eighth of the size of nearby Tahiti, Moorea has everything you're hoping for in a South Seas getaway: thick jungles, beautiful beaches, and an azure sea. Two fantastic bays—Opunohu Bay and Cook's Bay—cut into the triangular island's northern side. At 2,929 feet, Mount Rotul stands majestically between the two bays. Several steep, jagged mountain ridges run across the island. Your eyes will be drawn to the thumb-shaped Mount Tohiea, which reaches 3,960 feet into the clouds. Moorea is ringed by a coral reef enclosing a beautiful lagoon, making the island a favorite destination of snorkelers and divers.