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Many creative people have made Moorea their home, choosing its peaceful environment over bustling Pape'ete. They include painters, sculptors, wood carvers, and tattoo artists, many of whom have studios and galleries. Boutiques sell the famous black pearls and others sell pareos (Tahitian sarongs) and original-design clothing and jewelry.
You'll see artworks and Marquesan artisans at work in this workshop and gallery. The best-known carved item is the "tiki" (a representation of a god); delicate pieces made from mother-of-pearl and bone may be on display at various times.
Apart from black Tahitian pearl jewelry, there are many local crafts including wood carvings, basketware, and hand-painted pareos.
Goldsmith and jeweler Eva Frachon has been working with Tahitian cultured pearls for 18 years. The gallery-store has single pearls and jewelry pieces. Free transfers are available.
Don't be fooled by its name. If you want a new swimsuit or some beach and resort wear, this is a good place to look. It's in the Commercial Center at Maharepa.
Galerie Van der Heyde. This gallery displays the work of resident Dutch painter Aad Van der Heyde, who has lived in Moorea for more than 30 years. Other displays include Marquesan wood carvings, shell jewelry, tapa cloth, and other South Seas souvenirs.
The gallery displays paintings of local artists—island and islander scenes—sculpture, and photographs. Gallery pieces are also exhibited at the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa.
Traditional tattoo artist James Samuela, who has been practicing for more than 10 years, is one of only seven artists in French Polynesia who still practices the ancient techniques first used by the warriors of the Marquesas Islands. The ban on traditional tattooing (using sterilized wooden and bone implements) was lifted in 2001.
Albert Dunday, who placed second in French Polynesia's popular tattoo festival a few years ago, is now the resident tattooist at the Moorea Pearl Resort. Using state-of-the-art machinery, he creates traditional-style black ink tattoos.
This black pearl and clothing boutique has been run by American Ron Hall and his Tahitian son for the past 20 years.
Former beauty queen Tahia Collins (she was Miss Moorea in 1994) has boutiques near Le Petit Village and at the Moorea Pearl Resort and aboard the Paul Gaugin cruise ship. Free pickup from hotels and cruise ships.
If you've always yearned to own a Polynesian ukulele then this is where you'll get one. The boutique also has jewelry.
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