What to do on Moorea Island?

Moorea Island, the sister island, as it is called here, is a little piece of paradise, located only a few miles from Tahiti Island, in French Polynesia. At the time of writing this article, I have been living on Tahiti Island for more than two years and have had the opportunity to discover the island of Moorea several times. And what a treat it is every time I must say. In this article, I explore the different activities and the things to do that are available during a trip to Moorea Island.

Not everything will be in the article as here I explain the things I prefer to do in Moorea, the ones I find the most essential! There are many activities on Moorea Island (Quad biking, electric cars, diving, whale watching, etc.) and everyone can choose what they want according to their preferences.

Since the beginning of 2020, it is now possible to go on catamaran trips from Moorea to the wonderful atoll of Tetiaroa with Poe Charter, a trip that I recommend 100%. Get 10% discount with the coupon code “les2pieds”“

For those looking for activities on the tropical island of Moorea, I advise you to look at this page that offers interesting rates on a large number of varied activities. You can also check the availability of the activities and the prices directly online, it’s very convenient. However, I give you the 5 best activities to consider during your stay in Moorea at the end of the article.

Of course, the paradise island of Moorea will be only one of the islands you will visit during your vacation. I suggest you to visit the Leeward Islands, but also at least one atoll of the Tuamotu, like Rangiroa or Tikehau. I mention this in my article on itineraries in French Polynesia.

Among all the things to see on Moorea Island, a tour of the island is essential. The island is relatively small, and can be done in several ways. The bravest will experience it by bike, as the road around the island is almost flat. Others can find electric bicycles, scooters or rental cars.

The tour allows you to slowly appreciate, at the rhythm of local life, all the beauties of the island. You will follow the coast and enjoy discovering the local landscapes, superb and breathtaking views of the lagoon and the mountains of the island’s interior. It is also an opportunity to make a few stops for swimming, especially in the south of the island, where you will find small paradisiacal beaches with coconut and palm trees along the road without tourists and hotels. Occasionally, you can stop to admire an archaeological site by the roadside.

If I were to give you a brief overview of the must-sees on your picturesque tour of the island, starting from Vaiare (where the ferries arrive) and heading north:

• Toatea viewpoint: above the Sofitel, a magnificent view of the blue turquoise lagoon with Tahiti in the background (this spot is perfect to admire a magnificent sunset).
• Temae beach: just after the viewpoint, at the bottom of the descent, you’ll find the magnificent sandy withe Temae beach,
• Cook Bay and Opunohu:
  • Cook Bay: a beautiful bay with mountains in the background. Don’t forget to stop and take photos. As you go deeper into the valley, you’ll discover vast pineapple fields, the Lycée Agricole and archaeological sites. The belvedere between the two bays is an essential stop for exceptional panoramic views and a starting point for hikes to the island’s natural wonders.
  • Opunohu Bay: the fruit juice factory and distillery are nearby. You can also stop for a swim at the beautiful Ta’ahiamanu white sandy beach with beautiful cliffs. At the end of the bay you’ll find an eco museum, Te Fare Natura,
• Stop at Magic Mountain for a great view of the turquoise lagoon (fee).
• Continue to the most developed area of the island, around the Tipaniers. This is where you’ll find most of Moorea’s activities, restaurants, accommodation and more.
• After this tourist area, you can head down to the west coast of Moorea to see another face, simpler, more authentic and less developed to immerse yourself in the Polynesian culture. The rest of the tour in the south is fun, even if there are no particular points to note!

The island’s lagoon is splendid in every way and you will very quickly be amazed by the colour of the seabed on the island. It is up to you to choose the service provider, but I strongly advise you to avoid the major tourist agencies and tour operators during your vacations. Most of them are used by the island’s big luxury hotels and it is very likely that you will spend your day surrounded by Chinese and American tourists, not the best and authentic atmosphere in my humble opinion.

Try to choose a local company with a small boat. The experience will undoubtedly be better, in my opinion. Among the excursions we recommend with our eyes closed (there are others, of course), I recommend

• Vaapiti Moorea: Discover the lagoon in a traditional double-sailed pirogue, an authentic and enriching experience!
• Moorea Water Games: another way to discover the turquoise lagoon thanks to underwater scooters! From 2 hours to half a day!
• Moorea Expédition: another company with an excellent reputation for exploring the lagoon!

The trip usually takes you around the island, to the two main bays, to see rays, colorful fishes of the tropics and sharks, and to snorkel along a coral reef. You’ll often be taken past luxury hotels (such as the Hilton). Take advantage of the day to sunbathe, swim in the crystal clear waters and observe the island from the sea, with magnificent and breathtaking views of Mount Rotui and its lush vegetation. You’ll often see people in pirogues…

It is possible that during the day excursion, you will be taken to the site but I recommend that you do it on your own, by kayak. It is a magical moment where you can get very (very) close to the marine life: the stingrays and sharks in the crystal-clear lagoon.

It is important to know of course that the animals are fed in this particular place, hence their presence. Opinions are therefore contradictory on this nautical activity. Even if I’m not a big fan of the “feeding” concept, swimming with these animals is still a great thing to do without actually having to feed them. That’s why I recommend that you do it in a canoe-kayak. This gives you the opportunity to avoid the large tourist boats that stop there. At times, there may be more than fifty people there….

The ray and shark swimming site is opposite Tipaniers beach, in the north of the island. Until recently (early 2023), you could access Tipaniers beach directly, but now the hotel requires either an entrance fee or a reservation at their restaurant/hotel/activities. The feedback I’ve had doesn’t really speak of a very warm welcome…

We therefore recommend using two companies in particular:

• Lagoon Explorer: a choice of transparent kayaking on the lagoon, in a group or private! Great welcome and cocktails!
• Moorea Blue Paddle: kayak, paddle or transparent paddle! Excellent feedback too!

I can assure you that visiting the lagoon by kayak or paddle is one of the things to do in Moorea.

Moorea’s inland areas are also unmissable, and it would be a shame to limit yourself to just the coastline. Here, as with the tour of the island, you can choose to go off on your own or join a guide for a 4×4 outing that usually lasts half a day. This is an excellent way to learn more about local life. Another way to discover the inland is on a quad bike, which allows you to take to other paths offering magnificent views as soon as you reach higher ground.

Inland must-sees include pineapple plantations, various viewpoints, hikes and, of course, archaeological sites. We’ll give you more details on the main hikes to consider in the dedicated section. Here’s some information on the marae to visit during your vacation on the island.

Three of Moorea’s marae stand out and are well worth a visit. They are located on the road leading to the belvedere, and are easy to spot thanks to their remarkable restoration and the explanatory panels that tell their story before your very eyes. Allow around an hour to visit all these sites, which are well worth it. Archaeological excavations have revealed that these valleys were inhabited as early as the 13th century. Here’s an overview of the marae you can discover:

• Titiroa marae, also known as I Te Tiiroa, is the most visible. It stands out for its impressive basalt enclosure wall, 40 meters long and 17 meters wide, built with assembled stone blocks. The inner courtyard features 15 standing stones. The upper part of the ahu features coral plates. Nearby archaeological excavations have revealed remains dating back to the 18th century.
• The Marae i Afare’aito marae, whose name means “House of Warriors”, was erected after the victory of the ari’i of Haapiti, the Marama, over those of Opunohu, the Atiro’o. There is also a paved courtyard containing five file stones and thirteen standing stones. Research has shown that the site was reserved for archery practice.
• The Ahu O Mahine marae, built after 1780, is the valley’s most recent and most atypical marae, with a construction style similar to that of traditional marae. It is characterized by upright stones and an ahu. Archaeological excavations have revealed interesting features dating back to different periods.

We also recommend the following land-based service providers:

• FranckyFranck Moorea: in our opinion, the best way to spend a morning on a 4×4 in Moorea, South Pacific island.
• ATV Moorea Quad: these quad specialists will take you on a short excursion to discover the beauty of the island.
• Mana Mountain Moorea Hiking Guide: one of the specialists for hiking in the interior of the island.

As mentioned in the introduction, the island has beautiful beaches and postcard lovers will find something to please themsleves. The most renowned of them, the public beach of Temae, offers turquoise water and a breathtaking view of Tahiti Island (the main island). Very little shade on the beach, but a great place to enjoy the beauty of the French polynesian island.

The other well-known beach is Tipanier Beach, which is not accessible right now to the public…

In the south of the island, while riding a scooter or bicycle, you can see some small deserted white sand beaches. Let yourself be enchanted by the magic of the place and enjoy these peaceful places.

There is also the superb beach of La Mareto, in the village of Maharepa. The beach of the former Club Med in the village of Haapiti has just been reopened to the public. If you pass by, stop there! In short, enjoy the La Mareto beach is one of the best things to do in Moorea.

If you are looking for what to do on Moorea Island, this is probably the first site we will tell you about. This is the essential viewpoint of the island and certainly one of the things not to be missed on Moorea Island. The place is accessible by a superb small shaded road in the undergrowth. Upon arrival at the top the view is breathtaking. From the summit, an amazing view awaits you over the island’s two most famous bays, Cook Bay and Oponohu Bay.

You can choose to use any means of transport. The bike ride allows you to take your time and enjoy the lush and tropical forest along the road. From the viewpoint, there are many hikes starting in the center of the island, including the famous 3 coconut trees hike.

You can also visit the area by electric bike, which is a great way to take your time.

Among the unforgettable things to do on Moorea Island, hiking in the center of the island is a must! However, as in French Polynesia, few hikes are marked out and easily accessible. Moorea Island has some well-known hikes, such as Mount Rotui, the Magic Mountain or the 3 coconut palms, accessible from the Belvedere site.

This blog (in French sorry) lists a collection of hikes on Moorea Island. You can also check with the pension where you sleep. In any case, take advantage of your stay on Moorea Island to go for a walk and explore it’s center.

If you want to discover the inside of the island, a very good solution could be a quad ride through the island too!

Moorea Island is locally well known for its beautiful pineapple fields all over the island. They are the origin of the renowned “Rotui” pineapple juice found throughout French Polynesia.

You will find its fields all over the island, especially as soon as you enter the land. It is also an opportunity to visit the Rotui factory in Moorea where the juice making process will be explained in detail. A small tasting is also offered with the visit.

At this stage of the article, I hope I’ve already given you a good idea of what to do in Moorea, French Polynesia.

If I had to answer the question what to do on Moorea Island, in one answer, there is a good chance that eating raw fish with coconut milk at the Mahana snack bar would be in my Top 3. I often say it and I repeat it again, it is for me the best raw coconut milk fish I have tasted in French Polynesia in 4 years now. During your stay in Tahiti and throughout French Polynesia, try to find a better one 🙂

It is not for nothing that this small snack bar, unpretentious as it is on the roadside, but especially on the edge of a superb lagoon, was voted “best restaurant” on TripAdvisor. The cost of success is such that it is very often necessary to reserve a place at the snack bar beforehand. Don’t expect to go there on a weekend at 12:00 without a reservation….

I recommend the place to all the friends or tourists that I meet and it is clearly for me one of the things to do in Moorea. You will appreciate this good raw fish, and many other very good dishes, on the edge of the lagoon, with your feet in the sand, where a small appreciable wind is always present. Plus, the prices are very good for French Polynesia and the location.

To get there, turn right when you leave the boat, pass through the two bays and the snack bar is located at the exit of the village of Papetoai, on the sea side. You can take a look at this map.

And yes, if you decide to travel “in a postcard”, why not go and have a good cocktail on one of the beautiful hotels on the island. All hotels offer this, of course. I particularly recommend the Sofitel or Coco Beach for its location!

I think I’ve guided you in the question “what to do in Moorea”, right? It will take you a few days to do the whole thing slowly, and that’s good. For those who enjoy tourist activities, you will also be delighted with the possibility of doing many of these activities (jet ski, quad, boat trip with glass floor, water skiing, 4×4 crossing the island, discovery of the lagoon by sailboat, etc…).

If you want to go further, I invite you to read our complete guide covering all possible activities on the Polynesian territory. We spent a lot of time gathering information to produce the best guide!

To get to the island of Moorea, you will obviously have to take an international flight to Tahiti island first. This is the only point of entry (by plane) from French Polynesia. If you’re looking for a cheap way to get to Tahiti, i particularly recommend you to have a look on this great flight comparator i’ve been using since at least 10 years now. From the US, the cheapest flights are from San Francisco (600$). From Canada, you will have to flight from any major Canadian town to SF and then to SF to Papeete. A holiday in French Polynesia is starting to look a little more affordable than it used to, don’t you think?

You don’t have to fly from Tahiti. This will make some people laugh, but you should know that even though the island of Moorea is only 17 km from the island of Tahiti, it is possible to take a plane with Air Tahiti. As a little anecdote, I had the opportunity to take a “Moorea Tahiti” flight on my way back from the island of Bora Bora for work. The flight lasted 7 minutes, tops. Makes you smile, doesn’t it?

Here’s what you need to know about getting to Moorea by boat:

General information

• To reach Moorea by boat, a number of companies offer round trips from the Papeete ferry terminal, which is located close to the city centre and can be reached on foot in less than half an hour: Aremiti, Terevau and Vaera’i (Terevau Piti). Aremiti has two boats that operate at different times, although they share the same website.
• Departures from Tahiti start at 5:45 a.m., while the return from Moorea is usually around 4:30 p.m. For passengers without a vehicle, no advance reservation is necessary; just go to the ferry terminal and buy a ticket. However, if you want to hire a car from Tahiti to Moorea, it’s best to book directly through the websites of the two companies.
• Timetables, fares and days of operation can change frequently, so it’s a good idea to check the companies’ websites to make sure that the route you’re looking for meets your expectations. As far as fares are concerned, Terevau is slightly cheaper than Aremiti, which offers different fares for tourists and residents. The Vaera’i (Terevau Piti) offers the cheapest crossings. Journey times vary between 25 and 40 minutes, depending on the boat.
• In general, Aremiti offers earlier departures from Tahiti (5:40 a.m.) and similar returns to Terevau (4:50 p.m.), except on weekends when both companies offer later returns, after 6:00 p.m. for the last return to Tahiti. Family packages are also available.

Companies serving Moorea from Tahiti

Here are the return fares for the 3 companies:

• Aremiti : 3540 xpf/person
• Vaeara’i (Terevau Piti): 2400 xpf/person
• Terevau: 2,780 xpf/person

Return fares by car vary according to the company and the length of the car.

Some interesting information to know to discover this earthly paradise:

• It is not necessary to book the pedestrian ticket and scooter ticket. You can buy it directly from the dock before taking the ferry,
• There are resident and tourist rates,
• It is generally strongly recommended to book the transfer by car, especially at weekends and on public holidays, at the risk that all car places on the ferry will be taken,
• The Aremiti has much more car space and is generally more seaworthy (due to its size).
• The Terevau has a limited number of car parking spaces. Due to its small size, the ferry moves much more at sea. However, the crossing is faster (about 40 minutes). In fact, since the end of 2019, the Aremiti 6 (new boat) shuttles between Tahiti and Moorea in 25 minutes!
• The 3 companies offer generally staggered schedules,
• You may consider taking one company on the outward journey and another on the return journey,
• It is possible to obtain attractive prices for pedestrian and car crossings at the tourism fair twice a year (see tips on how to travel cheaply to Polynesia).

The island is about 60 km long. It is therefore very complicated to walk around the island. There are several options:

• The brave ones can rent a bicycle and ride around the island. Expect to pay around 2,000 xpf (€16) for the day,
• If you’re less motivated and want to preserve the environment, you can hire electric bikes from E-BIKE Moorea for 5000 xpf (€40) a day,
• You can also hire a scooter. You can also rent a scooter for around 5000 xpf (40€) per day,
• You can also rent a car from one of the many car hire companies on the island. The cost of a car is often around 12,000 xpf.

You will find very easily on the island of Moorea all the possible types of accommodation, from the superb 5-star hotel, to the small guesthouse with a bungalow, to homestay accommodation, and even camping. This will allow everyone to choose what is most convenient for them.

For those who want to travel cheaply to French Polynesia I particularly recommend turning to:

Camping: There are 2 on the island to my knowledge (Chez Nelson / Moorea Camping) -> The guide to camping in Polynesia.

Airbnb works very well in Moorea and you will find a large number of locals that offer this possibility. You will easily find offers at 30/40€ per night, which are much cheaper than sleeping in a guesthouse.

Couchsurfing allows you to meet local people who offer a free room for one or two nights. But, something to tell you about though. The initial objective of Couchsurfing is to meet people and exchange good tips with locals etc. I see more and more requests that just focus on the free side of things. Result? no exchange, no discussion, but they sleep for free…

For the others, you will find a whole bunch of more or less expensive guesthouses on the island. Count 70 to 100€ per night for half board. Finally, for luxury lovers, those on their honeymoon, honeymooners or those looking to treat themselves, you will find a whole host of beautiful hotels to indulge yourselves during your trip (Meridian, Intercontinental, Sofitel, etc.). For your information, I wrote a complete article on honeymoons in French Polynesia. I give there some advices for itineraries and accommodations!

If you’d like to know more about where you can stay on the island, check out the map below.

As I mentioned earlier, when asked the question about what to do in Moorea, this is one of my first answers: eat at the Snack Mahana.

Restaurant lovers will find their heart and souls especially in the island’s major hotels. Be careful with the invoice though, which may be expensive. There are also a lot of small snacks around Moorea Island that serve dishes and sandwiches at low prices. Those who are staying in Airbnbs or camping can go shopping in one of the island’s supermarkets or in small shops that sell the essentials.

Here, I hope that this article demonstrating what to do and what to see in Moorea has pleased you and has made you want to discover this little piece of paradise?

Those who already know the place, do you see anything else I’ve forgotten? In any case, Moorea Island is a beautiful island to visit and you will quickly find something to do for three or four days without any problem. If you are traveling, do not miss the island of Maupiti, a wonder.

See 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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