• 1. The high islands with a lagoon. The water extending from the island to the coral reef  is called the lagoon: it is generally a very calm body of water connected to the   ocean by one or several passes (for example: the older islands in the Society Archipelago and in the Australs)
• 2. The Atolls which are like the previous islands but with no island in the middle: all that remains is the coral reef encircling an immense lagoon where, a long time ago, stood an island that has since disappeared. (for example: the very old islands of the Tuamotus)
• 3. The  high islands without lagoon and with no coral reef to protect them (for example: the young islands in the Marquesas)

In fact all these volcanic islands are slowly sinking on the earth plate of the ocean bottom. It is therefore very easy to reconstitute the order of their birth in function of their shape and altitude. Thus for example, Tahiti is the youngest of the Society Islands (since it is the highest with over 2,000 meter), while to the West, Maupiti and Bora Bora are older. The same way, the atoll of Tetiaroa is probably one of the  oldest island in this  archipelago.

The Motus: are small islets that were  formed on the coral reef encircling the lagoon. Thus, this coral reef is made up of a succession of land  portions with vegetation (the Motus) and sea areas  submerged at high tide (the hoa), as well as deeper passes connecting the lagoon to  the ocean and accessible to boats. There are motus practically  around each island and atoll.

Motus are real little jewels that generally feature the best beaches. The  lagoon has indeed  accumulated very fine sand there while surronding it with an undersea sand layer one or two meters deep, on top of which  water becomes  transparent. Even if some beaches are also very beautiful on the main islands (Moorea for example), it is true that it  is often difficult  to compete with beaches on the Motus.

 Hotels are built on the island, or on a neighboring motu, that in addition to total tranquility, offers  the unique advantage  of benefitting from a magnificent view on  the nearby island. While the  ocean side is exposed to winds and mist,  the lagoon side is sought after for its sheltered location and its white sand beaches and its lagoon with  quiet water, spread like a huge shallow swimming pool, with shades of  blue to green colors: prepare yourself to be impressed!