Moʻorea is a high island in French Polynesia, part of the Society Islands, 17 km (roughly 9 mi) northwest of Tahiti. Its position is. Moʻorea means "yellow lizard" in Tahitian. An older name for the island is ʻAimeho, sometimes spelled 'Aimeo or ʻEimeo (among other spellings misunderstood by early visitors with no knowledge of the language). Early Western colonists and voyagers also referred to Moʻorea as York Island.
Because of its stunning scenery and accessibility to Papeetē, Moʻorea is visited by many western tourists who travel to French Polynesia. Especially popular as ahoneymoon destination, Moʻorea can often be seen in advertisements in American wedding magazines. Arthur Frommer declared in Frommer's travel guide that he considered it the most beautiful island in the world.
