Moorea

A heart-shaped island just 30 minutes by boat from Tahiti, with jagged peaks wrapped around two bays, lagoon snorkeling and swims with stingrays.

Moorea lies in the Windward Islands of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, across a strait about 17 km wide from Tahiti, where the capital Papeete is located. The island is heart-shaped and covers roughly 134 sq km. Two deep bays on the north shore, Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, cut far inland, ringed by jagged volcanic peaks such as Mount Rotui and Mouaroa; the mix of mountains and sea is unique among South Pacific islands. A roughly 60-km coastal road links the main sights: the Belvedere lookout, ancient marae (temple platforms) in the Opunohu Valley and pineapple fields in the island's center; Temae Beach and the Toatea lookout in the northeast; and the islet of Tiahura off Hauru Point in the northwest, a popular lagoon-tour spot for swimming with stingrays and reef sharks. The island has plenty of small and mid-sized hotels and overwater-bungalow resorts, and is more affordable than Bora Bora. Climate: May–October is the cool dry season with clear water; humpback whales come to breed from July to November, when whale-watching trips go out; November–April is hot, humid and rainy, with the occasional cyclone. Getting there: high-speed Aremiti or Terevau ferries from Papeete harbor take about 30–45 minutes, with several sailings a day; there is also a flight of about 10 minutes. Public transport on the island is sparse, so rent a car, e-bike or bicycle to go around the island. Stay 2–4 nights, or visit as a day trip from Tahiti. Notes: the currency is the CFP franc, prices are high, and many shops close on Sundays. Use reef-safe sunscreen, and for whale-watching choose a licensed operator that keeps the legal distance.

Top sights

• Moorea – A heart-shaped volcanic island across from Tahiti, with Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay framing a sharp central peak. You can feed rays, watch w…
• Belvedere Lookout – The classic viewpoint of Mo'orea, at about 240 meters above sea level, overlooking Cook's Bay, Opunohu Bay, and Mont Rotui all at once.
• Motu Tiahura & Stingray Snorkel Site – Two small islands in the northwest lagoon, with shallow sandbars nearby where you can swim with stingrays and blacktip reef sharks. A must-…
• Opunohu Bay – A bay that cuts deep inland on Moorea's northwest coast, surrounded by jagged peaks and emerald water. It is considered one of the most bea…
• Cook's Bay – Another deep bay on Moorea's north coast. At its head lies the village of Paopao, with shops, restaurants, and a small harbor, and from her…
• Magic Mountain – A small summit on private land west of Opunohu Bay, offering a 360-degree view over the lagoon, reef flats, and bay mouth. Most visitors co…
• Temae Beach – Moorea's most beautiful public white-sand beach, with a shallow, clear lagoon and a view of Tahiti in the distance. It's great for snorkeli…
• Toatea Lookout – A small viewpoint beside the island ring road, overlooking the gradient blues of Temae Lagoon, the overwater bungalows of the hotel, and Ta…
• Ta'ahiamanu Beach – A public beach at the mouth of Opunohu Bay, with a white-sand shore shaded by trees and a view of Mount Rotui. It's convenient for snorkeli…
• Moorea Tropical Garden – A private herb and tropical plant garden on the hillside above Opunohu Bay. Its viewing platform looks out over the bay, and you can taste…
• Mount Rotui – An 899-meter peak standing between two bays, Moorea's most iconic mountain. Hiking along its ridge gives views over both bays at once.
• Opunohu Valley Marae (Ahu o Mahine) – Ancient Polynesian marae ruins in the forest below the viewpoint, with basalt stone platforms and archery grounds scattered among giant che…
• Three Coconuts Pass Trail – A classic hiking route starting from near the viewpoint, crossing rainforest to reach the pass, with views of the north and south sides of…
• Opunohu Agricultural School – An agricultural school beside the mountain road to the viewpoint, selling homegrown pineapple, jam, and ice cream, surrounded by pineapple…
• Papetoai Octagonal Church – A white octagonal Protestant church built in the 1820s on the site of an ancient marae. It is one of the oldest European-style buildings in…
• Manutea Rotui Juice Factory – A juice and wine factory on the west side of Cook's Bay, producing Rotui-brand tropical juices, pineapple wine, and rum, with free tastings.

Where to eat

• Snack Mahana – A family-run lagoon-side eatery open only for lunch, famous for its garlic shrimp and raw fish in coconut milk, where i…
• Rudy's – A popular dinner spot along the Maharepa coastal road, famous for its stuffed parrotfish, steaks, and lobster flambéed…
• Fare La Canadienne – A small Quebecois-style burger joint between the airport and Maharepa, with only about a dozen tables, famous for its s…
• Le Lézard Jaune Café – A dinner bistro in Tiahura on the northwest of the island, famous for its hanging skewers cooked on a hot plate, as wel…

Itineraries

• Tahiti Circle Island & Moorea Express – Explore downtown Papeete, drive around Tahiti, and spend a night on Moorea—perfect for a layover or short holiday.
• Tahiti, Moorea & Bora Bora Classic – A classic island-hopping route for first-timers: transit in Papeete, explore the mountains of Moorea, and enjoy the wat…
• Tahiti, Moorea & Cook Islands – Connect French Polynesia and the Cook Islands with a Thursday flight, exploring the mountains, seas, and lagoons of fou…