Moorea casts a spell on all who venture here, unveiling a breathtaking landscape of lush mountains, glistening waters, and powdery white sands. From the moment I set foot on its shores, I was captivated by the sheer beauty stunning vistas that unfold at every turn of this South Pacific gem.
Moorea is a place where time seems to stand still, and gentle caress of warm breezes and the symphony of nature’s melodies transport you to a realm of tranquility and rejuvenation.
Exploring Moorea was a true adventure. I hiked through lush rainforests, discovering hidden waterfalls and breathtaking viewpoints. Snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, I marveled at the kaleidoscope of colors in the vibrant coral reefs, teeming with life. The island’s diverse marine ecosystem is a testament to the importance of conservation efforts.
During my stay, I made it a priority to incorporate sustainable practices into my trip planning. The Polynesian spirit of mālama, meaning to care for and preserve, resonated deeply with me.
I sought out accommodations and activities that aligned with sustainable principles, supporting locally owned businesses that prioritize conservation and respect for the environment. It was inspiring to witness how the local community has embraced sustainable initiatives, from responsible waste management to protecting the delicate coral reefs.
But Moorea is not just about pristine nature; it’s also a vibrant tapestry of culture and traditions. I had the privilege of engaging with the warm and welcoming locals, who shared their customs, dances, and ancient stories. I was fortunate enough to witness captivating cultural performances that showcased the rich heritage of the Polynesian people.
My time in Moorea left an indelible mark on my heart. The island’s beauty, culture, and commitment to sustainability have inspired me to be a more conscious traveler.
By supporting the local economy, respecting the environment, and embracing the rich cultural heritage, we can all find a deeper connection with the island and its people while leaving a positive impact on its fragile environment.
Join me as we dive into the wonders of Moorea, where paradise meets sustainability, and let the magic of this Polynesian gem capture your soul. Trust me, this is a journey you won’t want to miss!
What To Know Before Visiting Moorea
Best Time Of Year To Visit Moorea
I visited Moorea in late February, which is considered the off season for French Polynesia. The ‘rainy’ season lasts roughly November through April, which consists of largely sunny days periodically punctuated by short sharp showers.
The extra rain meant that the landscape was extra lush and verdant, and rainbow spotting became a daily occurrence. For us, the only downside was that many hiking trails were much more muddy to the point of not being safely navigable without a guide.
The dry winter season, on the other hand, brings with it more sunshine and the glorious arrival of humpback whales returning from their journey north.
Aside from the rainfall and migration patterns, Moorea’s location near the equator means that there aren’t large deviations between temperature or daylight from one season to the next.
Amount Of Time In Moorea
You can drive the entire length of Moorea in just over an hour, but by no means will you see it all. I spent six days on the island, and it was just enough time to hit the bucket list while still leaving some things to return for.
If you are someone who enjoys exploring the outdoors and water sports, this is a place you could easily spend an extended amount of time in.
Getting To Moorea
I flew directly to Tahiti from San Francisco, and from there took a quick ferry from the capital city Papeete. There are multiple ferries throughout the day in both directions with tons of seats, so unless you’re planning on bringing a car on-board you can just buy your ticket before boarding.
Flights are also available between Tahiti and Moorea, but I much preferred the convenience and flexibility of the ferry.
Getting Around Moorea
Hello Scoot is a phenomenal start up with locations in both Moorea and Tahiti that uses electric scooters that use solar charged batteries. With just a little math and mindfulness, the battery swaps were super easy to coordinate.
Their hourly rates are a bit high, though, so I recommend using Hello Scoot for daily rates or longer. If you’d like to do this, download the app and upload your driver’s license before departing.
What To Wear In Moorea
Moorea is a very casual island. Even the fanciest dresses are paired with sandals here, and I regretted wasting the space in my bag to bring heels.
For all the details on what to bring, check out my style edit for French Polynesia.
The Best Things To Do In Moorea
Captain Taina’s Boat Tour – This was hands down my favourite part of my trip to Moorea. When booking, make sure you choose the full day tour with the glass bottom boat.
The tours themselves are bilingual and are the most comprehensive I found – including swimming with sea turtles, feeding sharks & rays, snorkeling down to sunken tikis, and watching the surfers catch waves while being serenaded with a ukulele. The day ends with a poisson cru cooking lesson for lunch on their own little private motu.
Lycee Agricole Opunohu – The local agricultural college, which is on the way up the road to Belvedere Lookout. Everything they serve and sell is grown by the students on-site, including ice creams made from fruit, coffee, and homemade jams.
Keep going up the road and you’ll see a marae on your left before reaching the Belvedere Lookout. There are several hiking trails from the lookout point, but I don’t recommend taking them far without a guide.
Snack Mahana – Ask anyone on the island what their favourite restaurant is and they’re likely to tell you this place. This restaurant is only open for lunch and does not take reservations, so try to get there within 90 minutes of opening.
If you have some time to spare, it’s also worth inquiring about the wait time for a table adjacent to the water. Portions here are a bit larger than elsewhere on the island, so you might want to share dishes.
Totea Creperie -Nestled within the Hilton’s overwater bungalows renowned for the amount of sharks and rays that gather, this rather romantic spot makes for a great excuse to get all dressed up.
You’ll need to make reservations in advance just to get through the front gates, but I promise this one is worth it. Try to make your reservation for just around sunset and arrive a bit early to take photos along the boardwalk.
Read about my visit to Totea Creperie!
Pearl Shopping – L’Effet Mer is a lovely little shop located in a busy part of town that sells dainty jewelry made from ‘keiki’ pearls and real gold, as well as really cute handmade women’s clothing.
For more classic pearl jewelry, Heivai Black Pearl has a great selection and is next to a kitchy little smoothie shack called Iaorana Smoothies.
Snorkeling in Tema’e – I’d argue that this little stretch of beach has the prettiest coral reefs in all of Moorea.
The current along Tema’e runs south towards the Sofitel Resort, so walk up the public side of the beach quite a bit and you can just let the current carry you back down until you reach the bungalows.
More Things To Do In Moorea
Lunch & Snorkel – Choose either Coco Beach (boat transfer) or Plage du Tipaniers (located at the far end of Hotel Les Tipaniers) – or both if you have the time! Both have great lunch options and are at opposite ends of a protected coral area.
On the weekend evenings, Hotel Les Tipaniers will often have live music on their waterfront restaurant to wind down after a long day in the sun.
Rotui Factory – Worth stopping by if you’ve caught a rainy afternoon. Aside from juices, they also have a large selection of wines and rums to sample for free in the gift shop.
Pineapple Fields – Take a quick hike around the pineapple fields, called Plateau du Bounty. As you drive up the mountain, you can stop to admire the horses grazing in the field and ancient banyan trees lining the road.
A short hike through the fields here will suffice, and the rough back roads aren’t that much more beautiful to warrant its own journey without a four wheeler.
Tiki Show – There are two options for tiki shows on Moorea. The more touristy option is at the cultural centre to the south west of the island that is a little pricey but includes a full dinner buffet.
The second option is a free tiki show at Hotel Manava that came more recommended by locals – you can either book a front row table in advance for dinner or show up early for happy hour and get a table as far in front as you can.
Everyone dresses up really nicely for these shows, regardless of where you end up. Check online for current schedules, as both usually only perform one or two nights per week.
Dr Poole’s Whale Excursion – Eco friendly tour led by a renowned biologist. If you are traveling during whale season definitely try to book this!
Sunset Cruise in a Handmade Outrigger – We didn’t have time for this but I wish we did! Raphael is very easy to contact and book with over whatsapp.
Cabaret Moorea – Aside from stargazing, there usually isn’t too much to do on Moorea once the sun sets. If you’re lucky with your travel dates, you’ll catch a performance from this phenomenal dinner show, founded by two former members of Cirque du Soleil.
Where To Eat In Moorea
Snack Teanahei | This was literally the best meals we had in Polynesia. Look for the sign on the road that says ‘Street Local Food Secret Spot’ and you’ll see the no frills waterside food truck. Make sure you get fries, poisson cru, and a skewer or two.
Ke’iki | Trendy dinner spot popular with expats that tends to have a more diverse and french leaning menu.
Iaorana Smoothies | Colourful roadside smoothie shack super healthy smoothies, bowls, and wraps.
Green Lodge Moorea | Boutique resort right on the water run by expats with a phenomenal lunch and dinner service using fresh, local ingredients. This is a great spot to stop for a bite after snorkeling in Temae.
Snack Rotui | Casual counter style spot for breakfast and lunch overlooking Cook’s Bay. The restaurant is run by three generations of a Tahitian-Chinese family, and you can try some interesting cross-cultural street food like a chow mein sandwich served on fresh baguette.
Restaurant Le Cook | Swanky waterside spot that is has become immediately popular with local expats. It is a great spot to grab cocktails and watch the sunset during their daily happy hour.
Tropical Garden | Stunning views of the bay. Very steep ascent, unless you have a high clearance vehicle I would park at the bottom and work off some of those mai tais with the walk up.
It is a working, family-run farm with lovely honey and jams for purchase and you’re likely to see the matriarch pruning her tiare trees in the morning if you get there early enough.
Ke’iki | Trendy dinner spot popular with expats that tends to have a more diverse and french leaning menu.
Fish Market and Snack Autea | Truly a hole in the wall kind of place at the southernmost edge of the island, renowned with locals for having some of the best and freshest fish around.
I recommend grabbing your meal to go, and heading to the end of a nearby little local pier (search for Mermaid Private Boat Tours or Tiki Lagoon Moorea on Google Maps and you’ll find it) with a towel and bottle of rotui to watch the sun set.
Carameline | Early morning french expat hangout in Moz renowned for their almond croissants. Get there early if you want to try one, because they sell out each day!
O Moana Snack | Beautiful waterside location with panoramic views of Cook’s Bay. The owners are French expats, and serve locally inspired dishes with their own twist on it.
Manuia Grill | Super casual spot that our local friends love with a focus on meats & kebabs if you get sick of eating seafood. It is also conveniently located just across from Manava Hotel for a post-tiki meal.
Restaurant Te Honu Iti | Waterside restaurant with french style cuisine that is on the pricier side but with stunning views of Cook’s Bay.
Moz Cafe | Casual eatery that is a great breakfast/lunch stop with good wifi and a nice view of the beach.
Where To Stay In Moorea
Moorea Beach Lodge | Intimate boutique hotel on the island’s ‘sunset coast’ that’s best for quiet vacations and relaxation. Although it’s hard to choose, I think this is my favourite hotel overall on the island.
Read about my stay at Moorea Beach Lodge here!
Hotel Les Tipaniers | This little hotel is located on arguably the nicest beach in Moorea, and was in the process of renovating their little villas during our stay. This is an especially great pick for families.
Fare Haurevati | Quirky little bed and breakfast run by a young French expat couple in the ‘heart’ of Moorea. It is located on a very residential road with stunning views of the mountains and allows you a peek into everyday Polynesian life. This is a great pick for more adventurous or solo travelers.
Read about my stay at Fare Haurevati here.
Haere Mai I Te Fare | Rustic tree house style homestay tucked within a lush tropical forest. A highlight here is the fresh honey and jams harvested by the hosts in the lush backyard gardens.
Cooks Bay Hotel | Recently reopened following two years of extensive renovations, this hotel feels like a slice of Miami-meets-Moorea. In addition to panoramic views of Cooks Bay, the hotel also has a stunning pool and offers complementary snorkeling and kayak equipment for guest use.
Green Lodge Moorea | Casual boutique hotel located right on the water in Tema’e with a dining room worth venturing to. Note that they do not allow children younger than seven years old.
Sofitel Kia Ora | I usually prefer boutiques to larger hotels, but if you’re dreaming of an overwater bungalow experience, this is the best on the island.
Words & Phrases To Know
Ia’Orana (ee-your-rah-nah) is the Polynesian phrase for ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’, and…..
Nana (nah-nah) is the Polynesian phrase for ‘goodbye’
Maruru (mah-roo-roo) is the Polynesian phrase for ‘thank you’.
Manuia (mah-nwee-yah) is ‘cheers’!
Poisson Cru (pwuh-son-crew) is a traditional Polynesian dish that you’ll see everywhere consisting of fish that is flash cured in coconut milk and citrus, similar to ceviche.
Snack refers to any number of casual roadside eateries, similar to how new yorkers call a corner store a bodega.
Roulotte (who-luht) means food truck, and is a huge part of Polynesian dining culture.
Mai Tai (may tay) means something similar to ‘whats up’ and ‘all good, but is also the name of the classic Polynesian cocktail.
Marae ( mah-rah-ay) are ancient temples of the native populations, now unfortunately in ruins due to the french missionaries.
Motu (mow-too) is a small landmass formed from broken coral and shells, like a mini island.
Be Sure To Pack
Flip Flops – This is pretty much the exclusive footwear of choice in Moorea.
Teva Ampsole – I love these as a sandal upgrade for more adventurous pursuits.
Snorkel Mask – Bringing your own set will make your trip so much easier, even if you donate them after the trip. Just make sure to get a pair that are both tempered glass and wide view.
Reef Socks – Both coral and stonefish can be dangerous to brush up against so you’ll want to pack these for any time you’re in the water. I also brought flippers but they were honestly overkill.
Reef Safe Sunscreen – This is so important! Be sure to research whatever sunscreen you bring so that you don’t harm their delicate ecosystem.
Leave Room In The Luggage For
- Monoi Oil
- Pearls
- Artisan Tikis
- A Woven Purse or Hat
- Vanilla
- Coffee Beans
A Few More Practical Tips
- Bring lots of cash! Although it is slowly changing, many places outside resorts do not accept card. Champion Moorea is a large grocery store on the east side of the island where you can pay with USD and receive XPF back if you’re in a pinch
- Buy bug spray locally once you arrive, it’s formulated for their critters and is far more effective there than what we have stateside.
- Even if you’re not staying there, I recommend contacting Sara at Fare Haurevaiti if you’d like to do any cultural experiences. She’s a young French expat and can arrange everything from hikes to flower crown making and hula classes.
- Crime is pretty much non-existent in Moorea. As long as you’re not leaving anything super flashy sitting around, you don’t have to worry about being robbed while you’re in the water.
This post has been updated for 2024! I hope you enjoy your visit to Moorea, and let me know if you discover any more gems I should know about 🙂
