The best overwater bungalows in Moorea
Last update: 03/12/2024
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After living in Polynesia for 6 years, and even though I no longer live there (we have since moved to Guadeloupe Island), I wanted to share with you my experience and opinion of the best overwater bungalows in Moorea, which is simply a wonderful Polynesian island to visit. In another article, I’ve already talked more generally about Moorea hotels, to give you the best guidance for your stay on this island of turquoise waters, crystal-clear lagoons and lush tropical forests. We must say that we know Moorea very well, having been there many times. I can say that each time it has been a new surprise for us. We have always found magical little corners of the island, which in itself is a little piece of Polynesia’s tropical paradise. A must on any Polynesian holiday and well worth the detour! Moorea is easily accessible by boat from the main island, and is considered Tahiti’s sister island.
As for overwater bungalows in Moorea, I’m writing this article because staying in an overwater bungalow was one of my/our dreams! We know for a fact that for many of you reading this, spending a few nights in this kind of place is a must during your holiday here!
The hotels offer several types of services and it can be difficult to choose between them. Overwater bungalows differ mainly in size, location (depending on the view and wind direction) and whether you are in the middle (possibly opposite) or at the end of the pontoon. I’d like to help you make your choice depending on what you’re looking for by giving you my opinion and experience of Moorea.
There are currently 3 overwater bungalows to choose from in Moorea. They are all upscale hotels, rated 4 stars or higher. If you are looking for a different type of accommodation, don’t hesitate to consult our bible on the subject, in the article Where to stay in French Polynesia? We give you our best recommendations for each island, including campsites, Airbnb, guesthouses and hotels.
If you’re not sure which island to choose, we’ve also put together a guide to the best overwater bungalows in Bora Bora.
Overwater Bungalows in Moorea
Hilton Moorea Hôtel Resort & Spa
If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury experience, look no further than the 5-star Hilton Moorea Hotel Resort & Spa. Nestled between Opunohu and Cook bays, the hotel offers overwater bungalows overlooking a turquoise lagoon on the edge of a sublime white sand beach. The setting is nothing short of unique, worthy of a picture postcard!
The hotel’s 54 overwater bungalows have air conditioning, private terrace, patio, wifi, soundproofing, glass floor viewing area (so you can watch the underwater life from your bungalow) and, most importantly, direct access to the lagoon (perfect to snorkel and discover the coral-reef). You can choose between 2 types of overwater bungalows: the Standard and the King Bungalow.
- Standard: Offering all the services mentioned above, the only difference is the view. You will only have a view of the lagoon and you will be located in the middle of the quay (opposite the existing quay),
- King Bungalow: with all the above services, overlooking the crystal clear lagoon and the mountains. But here you’ll be at the very end of the pontoon, with no opposite view, alone in front of a heavenly landscape. You’ll be able to watch the sun rise and set as you wish, making the most of your few days!
But that’s not all! Inside the hotel, you can enjoy exceptional services worthy of the very best: a central swimming pool, a luxurious spa for beauty treatments and relaxing massages, and 4 restaurants/bars serving Polynesian and international specialties in a unique setting.
To give you a better idea of the resort’s bars and restaurants, one of the over the water restaurants is located by the lagoon reef. It’s a great place to discover local culinary specialties while enjoying panoramic views of the ocean and observing rays. The Rotui Grill & Bar, with its sophisticated decor, is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and a light meal at the end of the day while watching the sunset over the water. The Eimeo Bar and the Floating Lagoon Bar also offer great cocktails in a peaceful and soothing environment surrounded by coral.
Enjoy a range of water sports, including windsurfing, water skiing, and jet skiing to immerse yourself in the turquoise lagoon. The hotel also offers boat and helicopter excursions, scuba diving (to discover the marine life), visits to Polynesian villages, and dolphin and whale watching to explore the island of Moorea. Of course, you can always enjoy a swim on the hotel’s beautiful private white sand beach in between all these activities.
All the ingredients are there for an unforgettable, romantic trip, especially if you’re planning a honeymoon in French Polynesia.
A word of advice: if you choose to stay in an overwater bungalow (which you don’t have to, but which is the subject of this article, haha), remember to book several months in advance, as availability goes fast. A little bonus to try: breakfast served in a pirogue!
All in all, the Hilton Moorea Hotel Resort & Spa is one of the best overwater bungalows in Moorea, and I’m sure you’ll have some great memories staying there.
- Half day 4x4 inland excursion : our top recommendation if you want to explore Moorea.
- Lagoon exploration in a traditional pirogue : in our opinion, this is the best way to explore the lagoon of Moorea.
- Transparent kayak tour : a great economical and ecological way to discover the beauty of Moorea's lagoon.
- Dolphin and whale watching : a well-established service for observing the island's underwater fauna!
- Diving in Moorea : this is one of the most enjoyable things you can do during your stay, especially if you're just starting out, for a first dive for example.
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort
The Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort is a beautiful 5-star luxury hotel, although I think it’s a little less upmarket than the Hilton. As a result, it’s more accessible in terms of budget, which can be a very interesting point if you’re looking to treat yourself without completely breaking the bank, haha!
The hotel’s location is very convenient and one of its strong points, being on the north-east coast of the island, 5 minutes from Temae airport and the Vaiare ferry port! Another plus is that the hotel has its own private beach: the longest and most beautiful white sand beach on the island of Moorea.
The hotel is equipped with 38 over-water bungalows! For the record, the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort was the first hotel on Moorea to build overwater bungalows. It now offers the largest on the island.
There are two types of overwater bungalows to choose from: Superior and Luxury.
- Superior (31m²): Offers good comfort, direct access to the lagoon, panoramic ocean views and a small landscaped terrace (perfect to admire sunsets).
- Luxe (51m²): A very luxurious bungalow with refined decor, direct access to the lagoon, ocean views and a large private terrace (beachfront).
Both types of overwater bungalows sleep up to 3 people. As you can see, the difference between them is space, private terrace and more luxurious facilities (king-size bed and more).
The hotel’s location is simply breathtaking, opposite the main island of Tahiti, with uninterrupted views of a magnificent turquoise lagoon perfect for your vacations. To discover this idyllic setting, you can go snorkeling (very good in the area), paddle boarding, hiking and enjoy Polynesian shows.
The hotel’s two restaurants, decorated in typical Polynesian style, offer exceptional buffets based on local produce, and every Thursday evening, the Polynesian culture is celebrated with an exclusive menu of local specialities. A feast to see and taste! Not forgetting the services on offer: the infinity pool with a view of Tahiti right in front of you and the spa with relaxing massages, ideal for moments of pampering.
I’ll give you the same advice as for the Hilton: if you’re thinking of getting an overwater bungalow, make sure you book several months in advance to make sure you have enough space.
Overall, I consider the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort to be one of Moorea’s best overwater bungalows. Some of the advantages of this luxury hotel are its exceptional setting, services, activities (like snorkelling) and geographical location. I would also add that the price of the services is very interesting for a luxury stay in Moorea in comparison to the Hilton.
Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea
Here’s a look at the hotel where we were lucky enough to spend 3 full days in Moorea. Where to begin? Well, we just loved staying there and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
The 4-star Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea is a luxury hotel in a dream location. I would just like to point out that it’s a little less upmarket than the two hotels I mentioned above. Its lagoon is sublime. However, it is deeper and therefore less turquoise than those of the previous two hotels. However, our experience in the over-water bungalows was a really nice one. I still remember the view over the lagoon and the mountains – it was idyllic!
The hotel’s bungalows, with their refined Polynesian style, are really beautiful. There are two types of overwater bungalows to choose from: Standard and Premium.
- The Standard overlooks the turquoise lagoon. There’s no real difference in price between the standard and premium bungalows. I’d advise you to go for the superior package.
- The Premium: I stayed in this luxury bungalow with a beautiful view over the crystal clear water. The over-water bungalows can accommodate up to 3 people or 2 adults and 2 children.
As far as the services are concerned, I can see myself taking a swim in the hotel’s infinity pool or enjoying the lush garden for a quiet moment with the family. If you want to take some time out and relax, the hotel also has a beautiful spa, perfect for a relaxation moment. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ve had nothing but good feedback!
The hotel’s two restaurants/bars provide an excellent and very pleasant environment for the senses. I had a very good meal there, and the food was very good. Special mention goes to the cocktails, which were excellent! The mini-bar in the room is well-stocked with a variety of refreshing drinks.
Regarding activities, the hotel provides equipment for water-based activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and outrigger canoeing. There are also island tours and scuba diving to explore the seabed to discover Moorea.
All in all, I found the Manava of Moorea to be excellent value for money for a luxurious stay with heavenly mountain views in the background. It’s also worth mentioning that the hotel is located in the north of the island. This makes it easy to visit the island of Moorea.
I can simply assure you that you will have an incredible experience at this hotel on the island of Moorea. If you’re curious about what it’s like to stay at Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea, check out my article on our stay.
InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa
At the beginning of this article I mentioned the three hotels offering overwater bungalows currently available in Moorea, but I had to tell you about the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa. It is (or should I say it was) one of the best known overwater bungalows in Moorea until recently.
Sadly, due in part to the Covid-19 health crisis, the hotel closed its doors for good in 2020. It’s a real shame. Our hope is that there will be a reopening or that there will be a new owner! If there’s any news on that front, I’ll keep you posted!
Which overwater bungalows to choose in Moorea?
Personally, I fell in love with Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea, where we stayed for 3 days. We really enjoyed our stay at this overwater bungalow hotel, even though we were already familiar with nights on the water. It is a very good value for honeymooners. This could be a factor in your choice of overwater bungalows in Moorea.
If you prefer a more luxurious experience with more upscale services in the heart of the two bays of Opunohu and Cook, I would recommend the Hilton Moorea Hôtel Resort & Spa. Departure from the everyday is guaranteed in this tropical paradise.
If, after reading this article, you are still struggling to make a choice and want something in between, the 5-star Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort is an excellent choice. The luxury services it offers are of a very high standard and at a better price than the Hilton (not to mention the first-class beach and snorkeling right in front of it). You might even encounter a sea turtle during your snorkeling adventures.
This article is a reflection of my opinion and my knowledge of the island of Moorea, on the border of the Pacific. As mentioned earlier in the article: It all depends on what kind of holiday you want. I presented to you the best hotels of Moorea. Whichever luxury overwater bungalow you choose, you’re in for a unique experience, surrounded by the charm of tropical huts. So which one will you choose?
If you’re planning to explore other islands during your trip to Polynesia (of course!) and would like to try the Polynesian overwater bungalow experience, you’ll find all our advice in the dedicated article.
If you’ve stayed at one or more of the hotels featured in this article, don’t hesitate to share your experiences in the comments!
We hope to hear from you soon,
Sylvain
Written by Sylvain PONS
From 2015 to 2021, French Polynesia was our home, with Mélanie and our children. I'm happy to share my experience and advice to help you organize an unforgettable stay in French Polynesia, based on my in-depth knowledge of the territory.
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