Located at the Opunohu bay, Moorea, the Fare Natura showcases Polynesian culture and biodiversity based on scientific work concerning biology, geology, anthropology and ecology. Born in 2012 from the CRIOBE researchers and supported by French Polynesia’s government, the Fare Natura has as a goal to popularise and transmit to the public scientific and cultural knowledge on the Polynesian natural environment.
The aim of the eco-museum is to educate visitors about the environment, derived from science and culture, in order to “understand, preserve and transmit”. The museum hosts a number of permanent and temporary exhibitions for visitors to enjoy.
Permanent exhibitions
Permanent exhibitions include; ecotypic aquariums representing the reef, lagoon and coastline; the Naturascope, an immersive room for observing Polynesian ecosystems and virtual reality headsets. Through an immersive and interactive cinema with 360 virtual reality, holograms and educational games, the eco-museum puts nature at everybody’s reach. Through this VR visitors are able to reach mountain peaks and enjoy great marine mammals safely. Additionally, guests can enjoy guided tours of the eco-museum garden and observe the diversity of local plants.
Temporary Exhibitions
In addition to permanent exhibitions, visitors also have the opportunity to discover the temporary exhibitions of Fare Natura partners throughout the museum. There is a temporary exhibition by the Te Mana O Te Moana Association on sea turtles, the association Les bumbleons de Moorea to raise visitors’ awareness of waste problems and an exhibition on Solar Prod, which broadcasts a film on endemic birds and the impacts of rats on biodiversity.
Courses
In accordance with the mission of learning by doing at the Practical School of Higher Studies, the eco-museum Fare Natura is a place of integration for the young people of Moorea. Visitors are introduced to the natural environment with the museum offering group entertainment and education on the maintenance of taro crops.
Strongly focused on the scientific approach, the eco-museum Fare Natura is a toolbox for a better understanding on how the south pacific ecosystem works, serving both local and international visitors.
Open: Wednesday – Sunday – 08:30 – 16:00
Price: £15 per person
Access from the UK is usually via Paris or Los Angeles with connections from Air Tahiti Nui.
For more information on The Islands of Tahiti, visit www.tahititourisme.uk
