Magical Vacation on the Island of Moorea, French Polynesia
Introduction
Only half an hour by ferry from Tahiti or a ten-minute flight - a magical and amazing island awaits you with turquoise lagoons, towering mountains, lovely people, and pampered hotels.
Moorea - an impressive island with a shape reminiscent of a heart, less known than "Bora Bora" but not falling short of it in its beauty, its beaches, and the wealth of travel and vacation options it offers to visitors. Moorea is one of the "Society Islands" and is located only 17 km northwest of Tahiti. A peaceful island, with wonderful weather (see details in the articles on Bora Bora and Tahiti) that is easy and convenient to travel around.
Did you know? The meaning of the name Moorea is Yellow Lizard.
The island is entirely surrounded by a reef with 12 passes (created in places where rivers flow into the sea), which creates a constant movement of water in and out of the lagoon. Result: extremely clear and calm turquoise waters, teeming with fish and corals. Wonderful for swimming, vacationing, snorkeling, and relaxed sailing.
Ordering guided tours in Moorea from GetYourGuide.com:
About 17,000 residents live on the island, whose main occupation is tourism, but also agriculture: especially growing pineapples, which are particularly sweet and tasty. The round island is surrounded by a ring road about 60 km long, which passes entirely near the shores of the lagoon between hotels, restaurants, rich tropical vegetation, and fruit stalls.
Short video of trips on the island of Moorea:
♦ Recommended hotels in Moorea:
In Moorea as well, like in Bora Bora, there are several luxurious and impressive hotels, all built on the quiet and clear lagoon waters and boasting the overwater bungalows they offer, in addition to garden and beach bungalows. The most recommended hotel is:
Sofitel Moorea la Ora Beach Resort
A five-star hotel with 113 bungalows: ranging from bungalows located in tropical gardens, beachfront bungalows, and overwater bungalows. All bungalows are spacious, well-equipped, and pampering.
Each bungalow has a private balcony.
The hotel is located in the northeast of the island just a few minutes' drive from the airport and has a stunning beach with clear and calm water and a view of the neighboring island - Tahiti.
The hotel has an infinity pool, two restaurants, and a diving and sailing center. Hotel guests receive free use of snorkeling equipment.
Short video about the Sofitel Hotel in Moorea:
Other very good hotels:
InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa
A five-star hotel with 144 rooms featuring overwater bungalows, beachfront bungalows with sea views, in addition to bungalows nestled in gardens and greenery, some with a private pool. The hotel has an "infinity" pool, two restaurants, and a dolphin center. The hotel is located in the northwest of the island on the seashore.
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa
A five-star hotel with 106 rooms including garden view bungalows, some with private pool, lagoon view bungalows, and overwater bungalows. Each bungalow has a private terrace. The hotel has a swimming pool, tennis courts, gym, and three restaurants. Located in the north of the island.
Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea
A 4-star hotel with 94 rooms including overwater bungalows, sea view bungalows, and garden view bungalows. Designed in typical Polynesian style with a swimming pool next to a good beach. Located in the north of the island.
Those looking for more modest accommodation will also find what they need. There are pensions, B&Bs, and simpler, cheaper hotels on the island, but one should take into account that most are not air-conditioned or not located near the beach. Therefore, my recommendation: if you have already flown so far - invest in a hotel!
Tours and Sightseeing in Moorea:
Recommended guided tours to book from Viator:
♦ Six hours snorkeling trip in the Moorea lagoon including BBQ lunch on the beach:
Moorea 6-Hour Snorkeling and Lunch Shared Tour
♦ Half day 4X4 safari tour on Moorea island - Franckyfranck Tours Moorea - Half day Tours
♦ Three hours ATV tour in Moorea - Moorea Solo or Twin 3 hours 30 ATV Tour
♦ Three hours jet ski tour in Moorea - Moorea Solo or Twin Jet Ski Tour
♦ Transparent kayak sailing in the clear lagoon waters of Moorea - Moorea Lagoon Tour by Transparent Kayak
♦ Electric bike rental for an independent tour in Moorea - E-Bike Moorea Electric Bike Rental Moorea
Jeep Tour:
The most recommended way to be impressed by the island's beauty and power is a jeep tour that reaches several breathtaking viewpoints over the island, its turquoise beaches, and its bays. A very recommended tour is by Franckyfranck Tours. A lovely guide named Francky, a native of France who has lived on the island for many years, will take you in his spacious jeep for a tour of the northern part of the island. Francky speaks excellent English, is funny and theatrical, and is full of knowledge and humor.
Order from the Viator site:
♦ Half day 4X4 safari tour on Moorea island - Franckyfranck Tours Moorea - Half day Tours
You will enjoy every moment and learn a lot about the island, its inhabitants, its history and geography, and also about its tropical vegetation. The tour includes a visit to two viewpoints in the mountains: the first, reached by driving on a winding and bumpy road, is called "Magic Mountain" with a million-dollar view of Opunohu Bay, where cruise ships arriving at the island anchor, the lagoon beaches, and the sharp mountains around.
Ancient residents on the island believed a giant octopus lived in Opunohu Bay. The second high viewpoint is called "Belvedere Lookout" which provides a different perspective on the two bays and the mountains around them. From this point, one can understand how the island looked millions of years ago before the massive volcanic eruption.
You will also overlook Cook’s Bay closely and hear stories of his arrival in the area. Francky will take you to a tour of Le Tropical Garden Moorea and teach you in his amusing way the secrets of growing vanilla and the wonders of the many fruits growing in the gardens: some familiar tropical fruits and some special ones, with an appearance, smell, and taste that you likely haven't encountered before.
Annona fruit:
You will taste jams made by the garden owner in the flavors of wonderful tropical fruits.
From the gardens as well, a magical view is revealed on all sides, blending into the dense green vegetation. Next, you will visit the heart of the island in the pineapple fields surrounded by a landscape of towering mountains and learn about pineapple crops which are a combination of a variety imported to the area from Brazil with a Hawaiian variety.
On the way, you will stop to admire various peaks with a unique shape. In one of the peaks, there is a round hole near the edge, and with a bit of imagination, it will remind you of a woman's head with a nose piercing. Another jagged peak reminds one of "King Kong" playing the piano...
Finally, you will stop at an ancient Polynesian temple built of black lava stones.
Polynesian Culture Show:
For those interested in learning and being impressed by the rich Polynesian culture of Tahiti, it is worth visiting the Tiki Village Cultural Centre located in the northwest of the island. You arrive at the village towards sunset by a transfer from the hotel included in the entry price. The price includes a cocktail, a rich buffet dinner of local and international food, various demonstrations, such as: dozens of ways to wear the traditional "pareo" cloth, opening the ground oven, cute demonstrations of how to break a coconut, how to make coconut milk, explanations about the traditional wedding on the island, about the costumes, customs, and musical instruments.
The highlight: a colorful show of over an hour of songs, dances, music, and stunts, and a fire dance. The audience also participates in some of the dances and demonstrations.
Sailing and Water Sports:
The main activity in Moorea is of course spending time on the calm, clear, and warm lagoon beaches. In addition to "belly-back" relaxation, there is a large selection of options: every hotel rents kayaks, motorboats, and SUPs for independent sailing, and there are also many companies organizing scenic cruises of about 6 hours including swimming, snorkeling, and feeding "stingrays" and Black tip sharks in shallow waters; some of the tours also include lunch.
Ordering from the Viator site:
♦ Six hours snorkeling trip in the Moorea lagoon including BBQ lunch on the beach:
Moorea 6-Hour Snorkeling and Lunch Shared Tour
And a picnic on an island where, in addition to the meal on the beach and swimming in turquoise water, they will demonstrate various characteristic Polynesian activities.
One can also go diving among fish and sharks, ride jet skis, and go on a cruise to watch dolphins and whales near the reef surrounding the lagoon. The whale season is from August to November.
Ordering from the Viator site:
♦ Three hours jet ski tour in Moorea - Moorea Solo or Twin Jet Ski Tour
