Making the most of Moorea
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships moor or anchor at Moorea, with tenders landing in Papeotai village or at the small marina beside Hotel Kaveka. At times vessels anchor in Cook’s Bay and use tenders to the island’s single road. Maharepa, the downtown area, is 9 miles from Papeotai and 6 miles from Kaveka.
Most travellers reach the island from Tahiti, either on an approximately 5-minute flight or aboard one of the many ferries between Papeʼete and Moʼorea. Private boat transfers can also be hired.
Taxis wait at the tender docks and provide a quick, convenient trip to Maharepa. Some cruise lines and local businesses run shuttles to important locations, while car hire is available for independent island exploration.
At each tender landing around the island, traders arrange tables of shell jewellery, key rings, pareos and other souvenirs.
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Carry a printable map.
Often compared with James Michener’s mythical Bali Ha’i, Moorea is a small jewel in the immense ocean, seemingly visible in a single affectionate glance. Jagged volcanic summits rise like a shark’s jaw from the basalt foundation and are reflected in the calm waters of Cook’s Bay and Oponohu Bay. Rainforest and pineapple fields cover the green slopes, while white-sand beaches fringe clear lagoons.
Include the famous belvedere lookout on any itinerary. Every tour stops there, or you can reach it by hired car or bicycle. For photographs, arrive before 10 am, when the sun will be behind you.
Every beach is public, but the best is reached by following a dirt road for 1/4 of a mile from the main road between Sofitel Ia Ora and the airport petrol station.
Getting around
Moorea has almost no public transport, while taxi fares are high.
Several small tour booths stand immediately beyond the tender dock, with their buses waiting alongside. Expect a 3 hour 4x4 trip to cost around $50.
Bicycles and scooters provide enjoyable ways to discover Moorea independently. Anyone planning to hire a car should reserve it ahead of time.
Nearby places
Fast ferry services put Tahiti (Papeete) only 12 miles and 30 minutes away.
Food and shopping
The island’s tourist retailers and artistic boutiques gather at Le Petit Village. Products range from Tahitian vanilla beans and black pearls to beachwear, especially pareos.
Stores generally trade from about 7:30am until 5:30pm, closing at Noon on Saturdays, and take a long lunch break. Outside hotels, shops usually remain shut on Sundays.
French Polynesia is costly across the board. Budget accommodation is still hard on the wallet, as are meals and even groceries, so visitors should bring plenty of money.
Price bargaining or haggling is not a normal practice in shops and markets.
Money
1000 CFP francs are equivalent to 8.38 euros.
Euros and US dollars are accepted in many places.
Staying connected
French and Tahitian are the official languages.
Le Petit Village has an Internet café.