The Best Things to Do in Moorea, French Polynesia
Looking for the best things to do in Moorea? Ia Ora Na! Hello! Welcome! I’m glad you’re here!
Moorea is an absolutely gorgeous mountainous island with unbelievably blue water, fantastic snorkeling, friendly wildlife, and a beautiful culture. Read on for all of the best things to do in Moorea, from where to swim with stingrays, rent kayaks, find the most epic views, try coconut crab, find poisson cru, visit a pineapple and vanilla plantation, and so much more! And the best part is, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Let’s dive in.
Public Beach Ta'ahiamanu.
Hey, friends! This post may contain affiliate links to some of the things I love, and I'll receive a commission upon any purchases made through those links at no expense to you.
Table of Contents
Public Beach Ta'ahiamanu. Captured on the DJI Mini 3 Pro.
Mo’orea at a glance:
Location: French Polynesia in the South Pacific
Official languages: Tahitian, French
Currency: French Pacific Franc. $1,000 XPF is about $10 USD
Fun fact: Mo’orea means “yellow lizard”
FAQ
How many days do you need in Moorea?
That really depends on the type of trip you want! You can swim with stingrays, visit waterfalls, drive the Route des Ananas (pineapple road), and do the Tiki Village cultural experience in two full days. But do you want to? Island culture is all about slowing down and relaxing, getting off your phones and enjoying life. I spent 7 days there and it was super restful!
What is special about Moorea?
Where to begin! There’s not only plenty to do (tour the pineapple plantations, vanilla plantation, snorkel, dive, swim with stingrays and black tip sharks, hike, off-road, try the local eats, see traditional dance, and spend maximum time relaxing), but it’s GORGEOUS and the people are incredibly kind too! Don’t miss this gem of an island. It’s also only a 30-minute ferry ride from Tahiti, so it’s super accessible!
What is Moorea known for?
First and foremost I’d say their pineapple plantations! Book this ATV tour visit the plantations and a ton of other epic sites while learning all about the Polynesian culture!
What to pack for Moorea.
Sunscreen. First and foremost! The UV here is strong! Protect your skin. Thank me later. I bring Kinfield with me wherever I go! Here’s their body sunscreen, face, and lip.
A hat, or better yet, purchase a handmade woven palm hat upon your arrival from one of the stands!
A beach towel. Most hotels will give you a shower towel, but I like to keep my beach towel separate for obvious reasons! I usually have my Nomadix Ultralight Towel with me.
Sports bra. I like to hike in my sports bra, especially in humid environments like this one! My favorite right now is the one I bought from Girlfriend Collective.
Hiking shorts. I’ll typically wear biker shorts or hiking shorts if I’m doing any trails in this kind of environment.
Hiking shoes. This would be an awesome time for trail runners. I brought my Danner hiking boots but they were so hot!
Bug spray. This is something you can buy on-island, but I brought some of Kinfield’s bug repellent wipes too!
Sandals. Ideally ones you can get wet! These rubber Birkenstocks are great!
Outlet adapter. This is vital! They use European outlets here.
Shampoo and conditioner bars. I love bringing these on trips! They get through TSA since they’re solid and they last a long time!
A raincoat. I brought my REI Xero-Dry raincoat (and didn’t have to use it, but if you’re heading through the jungle on a 4x4 tour, it might come in handy!
A dress or at least one nice outfit for a fancy night out. Or to wear to the Tiki Village evening! I ended up purchasing a pareo and wrapping it into a dress while I was there.
A swimsuit! I basically lived in a swimsuit this trip. And when I had to be presentable, I wrapped a pareo around me and called it good. I wore my Sun Bleached Swim suit day in and day out.
Public Beach Ta'ahiamanu.
A brief history:
Mo’orea is in the Windward Islands of French Polynesia, which includes 118 islands and atolls over 1 million square miles of the Pacific Ocean. It was formed as part of the "Society Chain" from a hot spot on the Pacific Plate and between 1.5 and 2 million years years ago! Archaelogical evidence suggests they were settled by Samoa and Tonga in about 200 CE. The first European settler to actually set food on Mo’orea was Samuel Wallis in the 18th century. James Cook arrived a century later in 1819.
Public Beach Ta'ahiamanu. Captured on the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.
In 1842, France declared French Polynesia a protectorate. Polynesians fought for independence for three years and were defeated by France in 1847, forcing Queen Pomare IV to accept French protectorate status. France purchased the islands with an agreement signed by the Queen’s heir, Pomare V, making Moorea a colony, and eventually reclassified it as an overseas territory in 1958.
Driving the Route des Ananas is one of the top things to do in Moorea!
Although still a French colony, France gives French Polynesia the ideal of autonomy. French Polynesia has its own government, complete with a President and a legislative Territorial Assembly with representatives from throughout the islands. But France’s High Commissioner of the Republic in Tahiti still oversees issues such as law enforcement, property, and civic rights.
Le Ferry 2
How to Get to Moorea
You have two options: plane or boat. Most choose the latter, usually because they’re flying into Tahiti, and it’s MUCH cheaper to book the ferry from Papeete than a seat on an inter-island plane. Here’s what you need to know if you’re going the ferry route.
Find your way to the ferry terminal. If you don’t have a car, you’ve got it easy! There are three different ferries you can take:
The Aremiti 6. $1650 XPF
Le Ferry 2: $1550 XPF
Terevau: $1350 XPF
They all kind of teeter around $13-$16 USD one way, so I’d recommend picking a time that works for you and taking whichever ferry accommodates that, and you don’t need a reservation to board. Just plan which ferry you’d like to take by check their schedules at the website linked above, and visit the ticket counter at the terminal upon your arrival.
If you’re bringing a car, you’ll need to make a reservation in advance. These are small ferries and they do fill up!
The ferry ride is about 30 minutes long with snacks and refreshments on board for purchase. It even has A/C!
We spent most of our time admiring the views from the rooftop deck. Keep an eye out for dolphins!
Belvedere Lookout
How to get around Moorea:
Moorea is big enough, and the activities relatively spread out, that you’ll need some form of transportation. Here are your transportation options on Moorea:
Taxi:
These are metered, cash only, and will be waiting outside the ferry terminal for you, making it a super convenient way to get to your hotel that first day. That said, they’re pretty expensive, and that can add up quickly. I took one my first day, and opted to rent a scooter for the rest of the trip!
Call my friend: Teina. She’s the best: +689 87 78 7520
E-Bike:
I saw plenty of locals and travelers alike cruising around the island on one of these things! Electric Bike Rental Moorea will rent them to you for $55 USD/day.
Scooter:
A scooter or moped is is my preferred mode of transportation! I just loveeee still being outside (as opposed to being in a car), feeling the wind in my hair, smelling pineapple as I drive by the plantations… it’s the best. Not to mention you get VIP parking literally everywhere. They’re 5500XPF/day (about $50 USD/day) with special rates for longer bookings. They also rent for 2, 4, and 8 hours if you only need one for a short period of time.
I ended up paying $5000 XPF/day (about $45USD/day) with Rent a Scooter after a 10% discount for renting for 3 days! They even delivered it to my hotel so I wouldn’t have to take a taxi to pick it up. Clutch.
*Must be 18 to rent.
Hello Scoot is another easy option that’s great for short-term rentals. You’ll see them along the road, and many are available for you to rent on the spot–all you need is the app and you can rent it by the hour, day, etc. with the tap of your finger. Simple as that.
Aerial View of the Hilton’s Overwater Bungalows.
Car:
Here’s the thing about cars. they have A/C. And that’s soooo nice when you’re somewhere as hot as Moorea. Rent a Scooter also has manual cars available for 8500 XPF/day (about $77 USD).
Tours:
Tours are another great way to see the island and maybe discover a few things you’d never learn or do on your own! There’s also an item on this list (the Route des Ananas) that rental companies don’t allow their vehicles on. It’s dirt and rocky, and a little rough in some places, so you’ll need to rent an ATV or book a 4x4 tour to experience that gem! I’ll include tour options for each of the best things to do in Moorea below.
Book a local tour to swim with stingrays on Moorea.
A few notable tours to check out:
ATV tour of the best stops on Moorea, designed for cruise ship passengers to get some history and sighsteeing in quickly! Check out the Belvedere Lookout, a pineapple plantation, Magica Mountain, and more.
4x4 day tour to some local spots including a hike to a waterfall and a private beach.
View from the Hilton Moorea.
Map
The Best Things to Do on Moorea:
Belvedere Lookout
Belvedere Lookout
The Belvedere Lookout is an iconic thing to do on Moorea for a reason. Drive the paved and winding road up the mountain-flanked Opunohu Valley for epic panoramic views of jungle, mountains, and over both Moorea’s bays.
Route des Ananas
Route des Ananas
Did you know Mo’orea is famed for its pineapples? They’re so dang sweet, juicy, and delicious! If you’re also a major ananas fan, drive the road up Paopao Valley–it’ll eventually turn to dirt–and follow your nose! No joke, you can smell these plantations before you see them. Veer left just after the road turns to dirt for the most picturesque plantations!
Route des Ananas.
Pro tip: Check with your rental company to ensure they allow their vehicles to drive this route. If not, you can always book a 4x4 tour, which will also get you some island history and even a little taste of these juicy fruits along the way!
Don’t miss the Public Beach Temae as one of the best things to do in Moorea!
Public Beach Temae
Many of Mo’orea’s beaches are private save for two: Temae is one of them (the other is listed a bit farther down the list), and man is it gorgeous! This long, sandy stretch of beautiful beach is on Mo’orea’s east coast, and there’s plenty of room to spread out, bring out the grill, and swim with stingrays. One swam right up to me to suss me out, and if it weren’t for the kind local’s warning, it would scared the sh*t outta me. These things aren’t small!
Public Beach Temae.
The space between the barrier reef and land is mostly sandy, making it an awesome place to wade out without any fear of accidentally stepping on sensitive coral.
Public Beach Temae.
Bring your beach towel, sunscreen, sunnies, and settle in. You’ll want to spend a good amount of time here. I mean, look at that view!
Swimming with stingrays is such a once in a lifetime thing! Easily one of the best things to do in Moorea.
Swim with Stingrays + Blacktip Sharks
This was EASILY one of my favorite wildlife experiences of all time. Swimming with stingrays and black tips usually comes with a bit of caution (even more so after Steve Irwin’s untimely death by stingray), but Mo’orea’s underwater locals are used to human contact and will swim right up to you! Still exercise caution–these are still wild animals with a weapon locked and loaded–but they won’t attack unless they feel threatened.
Swimming with Stingrays.
Pro tips for swimming with stingrays:
Do not swim down and touch them or chase after them. This will stress them out and increase the chances of a scary accident. Let them approach you!
Please brush up on the Leave No Trace principles before your adventure.
You can try your luck at the island’s public beaches if you’d like, but there’s one spot in particular that you’re pretty much guaranteed to see a few of these gorgeous creatures. There’s a sandbar over by Coco Beach the tour boats frequent. You can book this boat tour to take you here, along with a few other spots including an underwater tiki, top notch snorkeling on the coral reef, and lunch on a private island, or you can do what we did, rent a kayak and/or stand up paddleboard, and spend as much time there as you want!
Swimming with Stingrays.
It’s only a short 5-10 minute paddle over to the sandbar from shore (everything looks way farther on Google Maps for some reason!), and there are buoys you can tie up to, which allows you to get up close and personal with these gentle creatures!
Swimming with black tip sharks in Moorea.
We rented a kayak, a stand-up paddleboard, and a snorkel from Tip Nautic for about $50 USD total, launched straight from Plage des Tipaniers (the beach Tip Nautic sits on), and found ourselves swimming with stingrays in just about 10 minutes!
Best time to go: midday so the sun brings out the epic blues of the water! (And you can pick up an afternoon drink at Coco Beach!).
Tiki Village. Shot on iPhone.
Tiki Village. Shot on iPhone.
Don’t miss your chance to learn more about Polynesian culture and see a live Tahitian performance in the country this legendary form of expression was born! Visitors can walk through a traditional Tahitian village; sign up for a few workshops including learning a “Temure” dance, how to play the Ukulele, tap the To’ere or hit the drum, how to weave your own basket or tray with coconut palm, and/or paint your own pareo; and how to make French Polynesia’s official dish poisson cru!
You also have the option to enjoy a traditional dinner and a show, or just the show. The dinner option gives you a tour of the traditional Tahitian oven, where traditional eats have been buried and stewing in the ground since noon before you get to feast! Then the show explains French Polynesia’s history through song and dance, weaving in the importance of the Tahitian Black Pearl with various forms of beautiful Otea’s, Temure’s, and more.
Participating in the Tiki Village show. Shot on iPhone.
We opted for just the show portion to save a little $$$, and it was a magical experience! Except for the part where they chose me to go up and participate BY MYSELF. Jokes, it was all super fun, and the dancers were so kind and talented! But maybe don’t sit in the front row if you’re not happy in front of a crowd haha.
Public Beach Ta'ahiamanu
Public Beach Ta'ahiamanu
Another popular public beach, Ta’ahiamanu is a little smaller than Temae, but is a lot closer to many of the hotels you might end up staying at on the north side of the island Opunohu Bay. White sand, ridiculously blue water, and epic mountain views make this beach a true gem. Locals and tourists frequent this spot for a reason, and the snorkeling the coral reef right off the beach is pretty dang good too!
Visiting Ta'ahiamanu public beach is one of the best things to do in Moorea!
Hanging out during sunset at the Public Beach Ta'ahiamanu.
Sunset at Public Beach Ta'ahiamanu.
When to go: Any time of the day! We’d go for a dip during the day to cool off, and return in the evening to catch sunset.
Pineapple. Visit the Rotui Juice Factory!
Rotui Juice Factory
You can’t leave Polynesia without a taste of the islands, and the Rotui Juice Factory self-guided tour is a free way to see how this island staple is made! If you head to a grocery store, you’ll find tons of different tropical Rotui juices, all made right here on Mo’orea. But this factory doesn’t stop there. They also produce Monutea rum, created from sugarcane grown on-island. Head to the juice factory to see where the magic happens on a self-guided tour, and swing by the gift shop for a free tasting of both the juices and rums. Maybe you’ll decide to go home with a few!
Best time to go: anytime!
Coconut crab is an important part of Polynesian cuisine! Try this local favorite at Restaurant Tiahura Chez Irene.
Taste the Local Eats
I’ve always been a HUGE fan of Polynesian food, and French Polynesia was no exception. I pretty much lived off of poke and sushi my entire 10 days here, with a few grilled chickens mixed in.
A few important notes:
Poisson Cru
You won’t find snacks at “snack” shops, they’re full-blown meals, and delicious ones at that. It’s all Polynesian food and often where you’ll find both locals and tourists hanging out for a more affordable bite.
Hours: French Polynesians are early risers (which totally goes against everything I thought I knew about island time, and something I had to really adjust to since I’m so not a morning person). Breakfast starts at 6 a.m., lunch is a strict 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner usually starts around 6 p.m. If you’re hungry between those hours, you can grab some ready-made food at the supermarket. We found ourselves picking up some Vini Vini (fresh, local poke and sushi) and chicken and rice from Libre Service. Although, they do sell out!
Many restaurants and shops are closed on Sundays. Plan ahead or make a reservation at a restaurant ahead of time!
Don’t trust Google’s hours. Call the restaurant (many are on WhatsApp) to see if they’re open before driving over if you’d like.
Garlic shrimp at Snack Mahana
Local dishes to try:
Poisson cru: French Polynesia’s signature dish, and for good reason. Think ceviche but with coconut milk! It’s raw tuna, onion, cucumber, maybe a few other vegetables, lime, and coconut milk. Tasty.
Coconut crab: French Polynesia is one of the few countries where you can taste its sweet coconut-y meat!
Polynesian grilled chicken: Nearly every restaurant has a form of this staple. The flavor is so dang good.
Sushi: French Polynesia is about as ocean-to-table as you can get!
Breadfruit chips: You’ll find stands selling Ziploc bags full of breadfruit chips on the side of the road. These starchy, fried crisps are delicious. Don’t forget to add a little salt!
Pineapple: Just a plain ole pineapple. Mo’orea is known for their pineapples with plantations all over the island. Don’t leave the island without trying one!
Here’s where I’d recommend going to grab a bite:
Polynesian Plate at Tropical Garden.
Restaurant Tiahura Chez Irene: Highly, highly recommend this spot. Especially if you want to truly taste the flavors of Polynesia. They offer items you can’t get anywhere else. Coconut crab being one of them. These massive land crabs can grow to be the size of a trash can, no joke, and look super spider like when you see them in the wild. Their shells can be a beautiful blue, red, and purple. They’re protected in many areas throughout the Pacific, and often can only be hunted by locals, but it varies country to country. They’re still an important food source to French Polynesians, and when I found out Tiahura offers this beast of a crab, I knew I had to try this important piece of FP culture.
It came sprawled out on a platter with a side of rice, the abdomen was whipped into a buttery fois gras. The server laid out a set of tools to crack the tough shell and pick out the meat. It had a sweet, coconut flavor to it from its coconut diet, but our server also said each coconut crab and its fois gras tastes different every time!
This was a bucket list item for sure, and I’m so glad I tried it!
You’ll also find local shrimp, octopus, clam, and tuna every way you could imagine. Definitely try the ipo (coconut bread). It was amazingggg.Snack Mahana. This waterfront spot was one of the best local meal I had the whole trip, and they’re right on the water too! Sit on the deck or in one of their cute little huts at the water’s edge for a delicious meal with a hard-to-beat view. We ordered the garlic shrimp and breaded mahi along with a fresh pineapple juice. DELICIOUS.
Aoy Thai Food. It’s a drive-up takeaway spot that sells Thai, American, and French food depending on the day. Only two items are offered each day–consult the sandwich sign to see what’s on the menu!
NY Bagel: Delicious bagel sandwiches right on the water. Awesome to-go options if you’re heading out on an adventure!
Moorea Beach Cafe: If you’re looking for a fancy evening, maybe with a glass of Veuve Clicquot and waterside table, check out the Beach Cafe. They even have a shuttle option that’ll pick you up from your hotel for free if you don’t have a car!
Tropical Garden Restaurant
Tropical Garden: Local eats with an unbeatable view, but it does come at a cost. It sits atop a steep hill that many cars can’t drive, so you might find yourself having to walk up. It’s worth it, promise. They serve the typical Polynesian cuisine, and on Sundays, you can try a plate lunch with some of Polynesia’s most authentic eats you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Well, maybe if a local invites you to the BBQ, but we all can’t be so lucky! Sundays require reservations!
Restuarants that offer complimentary shuttle pick-ups and drop-offs: A few delicious restaurants offer free shuttles, which means you can get out for a nice dinner even if you don’t have a car! In addition to the Beach Cafe, Rudy’s and Manuia Grill both offer shuttle transfers. Give them a call ahead of time!
Toatea Lookout
Toatea Lookout
You’ll likely pass this beaut of a view on the way to your hotel from the ferry (if you’re staying on the north side of the island). Give it a quick stop for an epic view over the Sofitel’s overwater bungalows with Tahiti on the horizon.
Best time to go: midday so the sun brings out the insane blues of the water!
Vanilla Plantation.
Visit a Vanilla Plantation
The largest concentration Tahitian vanilla can be found in the Society Islands with 80% of production on the island of Taha’a, but you can actually visit a vanilla plantation right here on Mo’orea!
The vanilla process:
Vanilla plants flower every day between July and September and the farmers and pollinating them is a painstakingly delicate task. Farmers wakeeach morning and “marry” or pollinate the new flowers by hand. If the flowers aren’t pollinated or if it rains before they’re pollinated, they’ll die within a few hours.
Harvesting is another tricky skill in and of itself–the beans must be green but ripe, then they’re washed and laid out in the sun to dry and mature, which can take up to nine months! The flavor actually doesn’t come from the beans themselves, but the grains inside of each.
Remember that restaurant I mentioned earlier, Tropical Garden? If you walk through the restaurant, you’ll see a little stand with a trail leading past it on the right. The vanilla plantation is just behind this little storefront, and is free to visit. There’s a donation can in the shop if you feel like contributing a few francs.
You can purchase a bottle of Tahitian vanilla extract at the shop on-site if you’d like to take some home!
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa.
Where to Stay on Mo’orea
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa.
Hilton Overwater Bungalows
I mean, who doesn’t want to stay in their own overwater bungalow with steps that lead straight to the water? It’s expensive, but if you can swing it, this is the iconic French Polynesia experience we’ve all probably seen on our Instagram feeds at one point or another.
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa.
They also have one of the best sandy private beaches on the island, and a sunset here is pretty dang hard to beat.
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort
Located on Mo’orea’s east side, the Sofital Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort has 110 luxurious overwater bungalows right off a sandy beach with unobstructed views of Tahiti across the way. It’s just minute away from the ferry, the airport, and a 18-hole golf course. It’s also SUCH an epic spot to catch sunrise.
Pension Motu Iti.
Pension Motu Iti
This one’s for those of us who want a waterfront bungalow experience but don’t want to dish out $500-$1000 USD/night. The Pension Motu Iti has a few simple bungalows right on the water with a deck and a shared dock. There’s also an on-site restaurant serving the usual Polynesian fare, and a shared dock to swim off of.
Pension Motu Iti.
The water is so clear, we saw an octopus without even getting in the water! But if you have snorkel gear, there are incredible things to see just a few feet from your bungalow.
View from Backpacker’s Nature Lodge.
Backpacker’s Nature Lodge
For the budget travelers, the Backpacker’s Nature Lodge is located just above Tropical Garden restaurant and the vanilla plantation. There are 7 private rooms, and 14 dormitory-style beds with an open-air kitchen and dining space. The vibes is young (20-40) and many Tahiti book here as a cheap place to stay for a weekend away. Be prepared to see a few bugs, and enjoy living more like the locals for an affordable price! Oh, and the view is INSANE.
