The “little sister” of nearby Tahiti, Moorea (properly spelled Mo’orea) is a wonderland of lush tropical landscapes, dramatic mountain peaks, palm-fringed bays, turquoise lagoons, and fragrant pineapple plantations.
Moorea’s close proximity to Tahiti—the international hub of French Polynesia—means that it is rapidly growing in popularity among travelers. But for now, the island has managed to maintain its laid-back island vibes and slow pace of life.
Moorea Travel Guide: Table of Contents
- Why Visit Moorea?
- How to Get to Moorea
- Where to Stay on Moorea
- Best Things to See & Do on Moorea
- Where to Eat on Moorea
- How to Get Around Moorea
Why Visit Moorea?
Moorea’s nickname is the “Magical Island,” and it’s all too easy to see why. This dreamy island is the poster-child of a South Pacific paradise—all bright blue lagoons, swaying palm trees, dramatic peaks and lush valleys.
While Huahine remains the most pristine and undeveloped island we visited in French Polynesia, Moorea is hands-down the most visually striking. The views simply need to be seen to be believed!
Moorea has a population of roughly 16,000 people, including the many French expats who call the island home. In fact, Europeans have a long-running love affair with the “Magical Island;” the first European explorers arrived to the island in the early 1600s, and the famed Captain James Cook anchored in Opunohu Bay during the late 1700s.
Fortunately for modern travelers like us, Moorea is one of the most accessible islands in all of French Polynesia, second only to the main island of Tahiti. A quick, convenient 10-minute flight or 30-minute ferry ride is all it takes to reach Moorea from Pape’ete.
If you’re looking for a second island to tack on to your French Polynesian getaway, why not make it Moorea?
How to Get to Moorea
Travelers will arrive to French Polynesia at the Faa’a International Airport on the island of Tahiti. From there, you can either fly or take a ferry over to Moorea.
Ferry to/from Tahiti
There are two ferry lines with service between Tahiti and Moorea that you can choose from: the Aremiti (which actually has two boats with distinct schedules, the Aremiti 5 and the Ferry 2) and the Terevau. The travel time between the two islands is approximately 30-35 minutes.
Any of the ferry options will cost you roughly $15 per person for a one-way ticket. There’s no need to book your ticket in advance (unless perhaps it’s a national holiday), although you should arrive to the docks 30 minutes before your departure time.
Flight
Alternatively, you can hop on a plane in Pape’ete and arrive to the island of Moorea just 10 minutes later. Yes, the flight is really just 10 minutes! Keep in mind you will still need to arrive to the airport one hour beforehand, and you will pay more compared to the ferry.
If you’re traveling to Moorea from an island other than Tahiti, then a flight will be your best bet. Book on Air Tahiti as soon as you’re ready to lock your travel plans into place, as flights between the islands are limited and can fill up quickly.
Where to Stay on Moorea?
Looking at a map of the island, it can feel overwhelming trying to determine the best area to stay on Moorea. Personally, I strongly recommend staying on the northern shore, between the cities of Hauru and Tema’e.
For one thing, Moorea’s big three overwater resorts (the InterContinental, the Hilton, and the Sofitel) are all situated along this stretch of coastline. If it’s good enough for the people spending the big bucks to stay in a luxury overwater bungalow, it’s certainly good enough for me!
Secondly, the northern part of Moorea is home to the island’s most dramatic landscapes; most notably Mount Rotui, Opunohu Bay and Cook’s Bay. The entire island is beautiful, but this particular region is especially breathtaking.
We ended up staying right on Cook’s Bay, near the town of Paopao. We booked our accommodation at Aimeo Lodge (formerly known as Club Bali Hai) via Airbnb; this was the exact unit we stayed in, “Honeymoon” Bungalow #40.
(Pssst – get $40 off your first Airbnb booking!)
Cook’s Bay ended up being a fabulous, very centrally-located place to stay on Moorea. We were less than one mile from a great supermarket (Super U Are) and walking distance to a handful of restaurants. Our bungalow was also a short drive to many of the island’s best sights, like the Belvedere Lookout Point and the Pineapple Route.
If you want to be in the center of the action, with plenty of restaurants, grocery stores and souvenir shops in close proximity, then the town of Maharepa would be an excellent place to stay. Tema’e is another very popular choice, although personally I think it has a bit too much going on, being so close to the airport and ferry terminals.
The northwestern corner of Moorea (between Papetō’ai and Hauru) is a gorgeous part of the island, home to some of the most beautiful beaches we saw during our stay. Despite being a relatively quiet and laid back part of Moorea, there’s a solid selection of hotel and restaurant options here.
If you decide to base yourself elsewhere on the island—for instance, in Ha’apiti or Ma’atea to the south—you can expect a very quiet, locals-only type of vibe. There’s a lot less going on in the southern half of the island in terms of sights, activities and restaurants, but if you’re the type who likes to settle into a nice little rental property and just chill, this could be a good option.
Where We Stayed: Aimeo Lodge on Cook’s Bay
Going into this trip, Derek and I knew that we weren’t going to be staying at one of the fancy resorts. Most of the overwater bungalows start around $700-800 per night (and quickly skyrocket to $2,000+ per night) and that’s just not the budget we roll on for a casual getaway.
We ended up booking a cozy little overwater bungalow right on Cook’s Bay. Our private deck had some of the most stunning and dramatic views we saw on all of Moorea…and it only cost $158 per night!
I don’t want to paint a misleading picture—our bungalow was the furthest thing from “luxury.” It did have A/C and hot water (which was more than we could say of our Huahine bungalow) but in terms of aesthetics, it looked like it hadn’t been updated since the 80’s.
That said, we’re not fancy people! Our top priorities are 1) amazing views, 2) convenient location, and 3) basic comforts, which made Aimeo Lodge a perfect choice for us. If you want the overwater bungalow experience at a fraction of the costs, I highly recommend the unit we stayed in!
Other Accommodations on Moorea
As I mentioned before, there are a surprising number of affordable accommodation options available in Moorea…far too many to list here!
There are more than 300 listings on Airbnb and more than 100 on Booking.com, which are the two main websites I used when planning this trip. Both sites include a mix of private rentals, family-owned guesthouses and traditional hotels.
I found many beautiful, comfortable options at less than $100 per night, and an even more plentiful selection by bumping the budget up to $200 or less per night.
Luxury Accommodations on Moorea
If you’re seeking the classic, luxurious overwater bungalow experience on Moorea, these are the four resorts you’ll want to consider:
- Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
- InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa
- Sofitel Moorea la Ora Beach Resort
- Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea
Best Things to See & Do on Moorea
1. Belvedere Lookout
You can soak in Moorea’s most iconic, breathtaking views from the Belvedere Lookout, located near the town of Paopao.
It’s a steep, narrow and winding road up to the Belvedere, through dense forests and past ancient Polynesian temples (more on those in a bit). I highly recommend renting a car in order to reach the Belvedere and many of Moorea’s other sights, although I know ATV tours also frequently make their way up here.
Personally, I would be a bit wary of riding a scooter up to the Belvedere (although I’m sure it’s done very frequently). Cycling or walking sounds a bit miserable, but if you’re in shape and up for a challenge I’m sure it can be done as well.
We visited the Belvedere first thing in the morning, around 7:30am, and had those beautiful views all to ourselves for around 10 minutes or so, before another couple arrived and we headed back down the road.
2. Ancient Marae
Located along the road leading to the Belvedere are two marae (ancient temples) known as Marae Titiroa and Marae Ahu-o-Mahine.
Admittedly there isn’t a whole lot to see at these historic ruins, which have been largely reclaimed by the forest. But considering that they are nearly 1,000 years old and served as religious and community gathering spots for ancient Polynesians, there is definitely something very mysterious and awe-inspiring about these sites.
I love wandering through ancient ruins and letting my imagination run wild with images of the people who once lived and thrived in the very same location where I now stand. The thought alone gives me chills!
3. Pineapple Route
Continuing back down the same road from the Belvedere, you will reach a crossroads: to the left you can continue down the paved road back towards Paopao, and to the right you can venture onto a bumpy dirt road known as the Pineapple Route.
Lush, overgrown valleys and fragrant fields brimming with ripe pineapples await those who choose to explore the Pineapple Route.
If you’re driving a rental car, it’s technically a violation of your rental agreement to take the car along this dirt road. If you’re a strict rule-follower, you can park in a paved lot just before the Route begins. However, we took our car (very slowly and cautiously!) onto the road and didn’t run into any issues.
A little ways down the road, you’ll stumble across a parking area for Tiki Parc. This is a good spot to leave the car while you wander around the pineapple fields on foot. It’s a very rugged and beautiful area, and the pineapples make the air smell AMAZING.
4. Opunohu Bay & Cook’s Bay
Moorea’s twin bays are as renowned for their incredible beauty as they are for their storied histories. Captain James Cook famously anchored in Opunohu Bay in 1777, though it was Cook’s Bay that was later named in his honor.
Although these two bays do not have the crystal clear, bright blue water that is so often associated with French Polynesia, I consider them to be among the most visually striking and memorable parts of Moorea. The palm-fringed shorelines and dramatic, craggy mountain peaks are like something straight out Moana!
You can see Opunohu Bay and Cook’s Bay from the Belvedere, but they are best experienced up-close. If you’re driving, scootering or cycling around Moorea, there are countless places to pull over along the side of the road and soak in the views. There are also several tour companies on Moorea that conduct boat tours.
Of the two bays, Opunohu Bay is much less developed. By comparison, Cook’s Bay has significantly more options in terms of restaurants, accommodations and shops. Yachts and sailboats frequently anchor in both bays, and overall I found them to be equally, indistinguishably gorgeous.
5. Rotui Juice Factory
Remember all those fragrant pineapples from the Pineapple Route? You’ll know they’re being put to excellent use after your first sip of Rotui Juice! You can find this brand lining the shelves of even the teeniest mini-marts across French Polynesia, and with good reason: their juice is DIVINE.
Jus de Fruits de Moorea (Fruit Juices of Moorea) was founded in 1981 under the Rotui brand…in response to a pineapple surplus on the island, believe it or not!
Today, you can visit the Rotui Juice Factory & Distillery near Cook’s Bay, and participate in a tasting of some of their top-selling juices and other flavorful beverages.
In addition to their standard juices, you’ll be able to sample Tahiti Drink (a pre-mixed, packaged cocktail), coconut cream liquor (AMAZING! Like a tropical Bailey’s!), ginger liquor (questionable), and pineapple rum (not your average 10am refreshment but hey, it’s vacation).
My only qualm with the Juice Factory was that the tasting experience was very quick; I wish it had lasted more than just a few minutes! In the end, my favorite juice was the watermelon passionfruit, while Derek loved the vanilla banana.
6. Best Beaches on Moorea
Pull your car to the side of the road just about anywhere on Moorea, and you have a good chance of being a stone’s throw from a ridiculously beautiful beach. Below are two of the best beaches we visited on the island.
Les Tipaniers Hotel Beach: We ended up here on a bit of a whim, after stopping at the Les Tipaniers restaurant for lunch and a cocktail…and I’m SO happy we did! Not only was this one of the most gorgeous beaches we found on Moorea, it’s one of the best I’ve seen anywhere, period.
The water was incredibly calm and clear—more like a giant, waist-deep swimming pool than the ocean. And don’t get me started on that bright turquoise coloring!
The hotel’s beach merges with Tiahura Beach (which is public), making for a nice long stretch of sand for strolling or shallow water for floating. My version of paradise!
Mareto Beach: Known locally as Ta’ahiamanu Beach, this popular public beach truly has it all: jewel-toned blue-green water, palm-fringed shores and dramatic views of Opunohu Bay. We spent a while just floating in a shallow spot by the end of the beach and soaking in views of the bay.
The beach was very quiet on the afternoon that we visited, but there were several times during our stay on the island that we drove past and noticed large crowds of locals having picnics and swimming in the sea.
One thing that makes Mareto Beach very unique and picturesque is the huge grassy lawn framed by dozens and dozens of swaying palm trees. It’s an absolutely beautiful sight!
7. Circle Island Tour
One of the best ways to spend a half-day on Moorea is by renting a car and embarking on a self-guided circle island tour. There’s a single road that follows the whole perimeter of the island, so it’s nearly impossible to get lost.
The 37 mile (60km) drive will only take you around 1.5 hours if you complete it without stopping, but I recommend budgeting around 3-4 hours to allow for stops. Trust me when I say that you’re going to want to pull over again and again for countless photo ops and scenic vistas.
You’ll also pass many markets, souvenir shops, restaurants and roadside fruit stands during your drive around Moorea. The stands are a great place to stock up on fresh tropical fruits for a low price.
There aren’t a whole lot of true “must see” sights on Moorea; in general, the scenery is the main attraction. But among my favorite sights to keep an eye out for during our circle island tour were the quaint Catholic churches.
St. Joseph’s Church near Cook’s Bay was particularly adorable, though I also loved the Eglise de la Sainte Famille in Ha’apiti (pictured below).
8. Resort Day Pass
Anyone who has been reading my blog for a while should know by now that I do not by any means fall under the category of “luxury traveler.” Sure, I’ve upgraded since my days as a shoestring backpacker (no more $5 mixed dorm rooms for me, thank you) but I still travel with a very moderate budget.
…That said, ya girl still likes to experience a little bit of pampering every now and then! 😉
On our last day in Moorea, Derek and I splurged on Day Passes at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa. I emailed the hotel directly to reserve our passes, though in retrospect I’m not sure it was necessary to book in advance (payment is not due until day-of).
The Hilton Moorea Day Pass costs roughly $90 per person, and includes pool and beach access, lunch, dessert, one soft drink or beer, beach towels, and access to the hotel’s snorkeling gear, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.
We also ended up purchasing a lot of fruity, colorful cocktails, which are priced at around $15-20 each. So yes, it was a very expensive day overall!
But considering that the Hilton’s overwater bungalows start at around $800 per night, it was still a cost-effective way to enjoy a full, relaxing day at one of Moorea’s most beautiful resorts.
Other Things to Do on Moorea
Even with four days on Moorea, we simply didn’t have enough time to see and do everything the island has to offer. Below are some of the sights and activities I read about online, but ultimately wasn’t able to work into our itinerary:
- Snorkeling at the Moorea Lagoonarium
- See the views from the top of Magic Mountain
- Snorkeling Excursion – Seems very similar to the amazing lagoon tour we did on Huahine
- Tiki Village Cultural Center – Reconstruction of a traditional Polynesian village; hosts workshops like weaving, cooking and painting, plus a luau dinner and fire dancing show
- ATV Tour and/or 4×4 Tour
- Scuba Diving
- Hiking
- Lycee Agricole Opunohu (Agricultural School)
Where to Eat on Moorea
Snack Mahana: Don’t let the casual exterior fool you; this is one of the BEST spots to eat on Moorea. The restaurant is situated right on the water, so you can experience the beautiful island sunshine and refreezing sea breeze while enjoying classic Tahitian dishes like coconut mahi mahi and poisson cru.
Allo Pizza: You might not expect to find excellent pizza in the South Pacific…but you’d be wrong! After reading Allo’s amazing reviews online, we stopped in one night and ordered the Regina pizza, which was absolute perfection. Best of all, they do takeaway and even delivery.
Moorea Beach Cafe: If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience with amazing sunset views, look no further than Moorea Beach Cafe. The food and beverages are definitely pricey here, but fortunately the quality of the food matches the high price point; my smoked salmon pizza was extremely satisfying (I even took half of it home to eat later) and Derek’s chorizo & scallop risotto was divine.
Les Tipaniers Hotel: This hotel restaurant has it all—incredible food, comfortable atmosphere and a gorgeous white sand beach waiting just outside its doors (see the Beaches section above). Derek and I both ordered the grilled fish with Tahitian vanilla sauce…and oh my goodness, I am now a believer that fish + vanilla is match made in heaven (it sounds weird, but PLEASE try it if you ever find yourself in French Polynesia).
Le Sunset (at Hotel Hibiscus): Another scenic spot perched right above the water, on the northwestern corner of the island. Truthfully, we weren’t blown away by the food—my seafood pasta was perfectly fine, but Derek didn’t much enjoy his curried shrimp. The views and cocktails are very nice, though!
Toatea Creperie & Bar (at the Hilton Moorea): Imagine enjoying your choice of savory or sweet crepes while watching a cotton candy-colored sunset, as reef sharks and stingrays circle in the shallow water below you. Sound intriguing? Welcome to the Creperie at the Hilton Moorea, one of the most unique restaurants we experienced on the island!
Iaorana Smoothie: If you find yourself craving açaí bowls and smoothies while on Moorea, do yourself a favor and stop by this little shack just across from Aimeo Lodge in Cook’s Bay. The peanut butter, banana and strawberry smoothie was SO FREAKING DELICIOUS—just like a dessert PB&J shake!
How to Get Around Moorea
Here’s the scoop: A rental car is by far the best way to get around Moorea.
Sure, renting a car (especially an automatic transmission) in French Polynesia is not cheap. But you will save yourself SO much time and frustration by renting a car (even just for one or two days) so the costs are absolutely worth it.
With your own rental, you will be able to visit many of Moorea’s best sights (like the Belvedere, Pineapple Route, Cook’s & Opunohu Bay, and the Juice Factory) on your own schedule. Without a car, you will need to rely on private or group tours to see those same sights.
Renting a scooter is another viable (and more affordable) option for getting around Moorea. That said, considering the way the locals drive on the island, I was happy to have the extra protection from our vehicle. You definitely wouldn’t want to rely on your scooter after the sun sets!
We did travel by taxi several times while on Moorea, though it’s probably the single LEAST economical choice. Even the shortest rides will cost $15 or more; longer rides (15+ minutes) will quickly increase to $30-40 and up.
Bicycle is a decent choice for getting around Moorea, as the roads are mostly flat. Keep in mind that Moorea can be very warm, so bring plenty of water if you’re planning to travel a significant distance.
Lastly, I was surprised to find that hitchhiking is a very common practice on Moorea. Considering how expensive the other transportation options can be, as well as how safe the island is, I suppose I shouldn’t have been so surprised!
I have personally never hitchhiked in my life, so I can’t recommend it one way or another. But I will say that it seems to be a somewhat popular choice among budget backpackers.
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Would you like to visit French Polynesia’s “Magical Island?” If you’re planning a trip to Moorea, what questions do you still have about visiting?
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Hi Kelly!
I am heading to Moorea in a few days and I love your blog posts! Quick question: is Les Tipaniers Hotel Beach free to swim and hang out at? Can I park there for free if not a hotel guest? Your pictures there looked beautiful, so looking forward to it!
Cheers,
Katy
Hi Katy! You should be able to park on the street next to the hotel/beach, I can’t exactly remember what the parking situation was like to be honest.
Also, there is a public beach literally RIGHT next to the Les Tipaniers beach, and the two kind of blend together into one. So I think especially if you enter from the public beach side, you can definitely swim on the hotel side as well with no problems. They’re both super nice, but I think the hotel side had less rocks which was nicer for swimming. Happy travels!