At 12 miles from Tahiti, the verdant mysticism of the “yellow lizard” flows forth from a shredded landscape that resembles a vast star-shaped garden branching out into eight valleys. Captain Cook’s island has one of the most beautiful lagoons. Its turquoise waters reflect the sumptuous harmony of the underwater world where divers might meet turtles, leopard rays or even some scorpion fish amidst coral roses hosting many other species.
To the visitor, Moorea appears as a tropical garden filled with silver pineapple fields, the main agricultural product of the island. In the midst of this fairytale landscape, light rays pierce the Mou’a Puta (“the pierced mountain”). Was it just natural eccentricity, or according to the legend, made by the arrow of the demigod Pai.
All of these, along with Afareaitu’s waterfalls or the famous Cook and Opunohu Bays, make this a magical place to stay.
Ancient hide out of the royal family, Tahiti’s sister island became the home of Protestantism upon the Europeans’ arrival. Everyone can go to the Sunday morning mass, where people gather dressed in their best outfits and women wear beautiful hats or flower crowns and sing rhythmic psalms.
Despite the many pensions, hotels, snack bars and restaurants of all sorts and the golf course, Moorea has not lost any of its authenticity.
It has remained a savage and enchanting place where many myths have come to life.
Guided Jet Ski tour (2h)
Dolphin Center - Swim with the Dolphin - MOANA program
ATV Quad Tour (3h30)
Dolphin and Whale Eco Tour
Breakfast by Canoe
Besides its natural beauty, Moorea is blessed with many excellent restaurants, each in unique settings alongside the lagoon.
The resorts offer a romantic open-air ambience while serving the best of French, Italian, Chinese, and Tahitian cuisines.
Resort and hotel restaurants include:
The gourmet "K" restaurant "Perouse "at Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort; the Arii Vahine at hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa; the Fare Nui at the InterContinental Resort and Spa Moorea; and a beachfront setting favored by locals at Hotel Les Tipaniers or Hotel Hibiscus.
Popular local restaurants around Cooks Bay include:
The Moorea Beach Café (nice view over the lagoon, French chic atmosphere & cuisine), Te Honu Iti (for the french cuisine), Rudys, Alfredos for Italian; and Mahogany (less expensive restaurant, french & tahitian cuisine).
On the islands west side, try La Plantation for romantic settings and Tiki Village for an authentic Tahitian feast.
Please note that most of the restaurants are including free pickup at your hotel on Moorea, contact your travel consultant to set these based on your wishes.
With plenty of land and water activities, children and parents can experience this tropical world together.
The central focus of a Moorea family vacation is the water. From boating and snorkeling to the discovery of gentle sea creatures, your children and adults can enjoy and learn about this pristine aquamarine world.
And transportation is cheap from Tahiti island (due to the Ferry transfers which are less expensive then airplanes), Moorea is a must do island for family vacation.
Because of the close proximity to Tahiti, Moorea is quick and easy to reach. Mooreas airport is served by Air Tahiti and Air Moorea with 10-minute flights from Faaa Airport departing every 30 minutes. Air Tahiti also has regular flights between Moorea and Huahine, Raiatea, and Bora Bora. Passengers ferries operate up to six times daily between Moorea and the waterfront in downtown Papeete.
Transportation from the airport or ferry dock to the hotels should be arranged in advance by your travel advisor at easyTahiti.com.
The circle-island and interior roads are best discovered through hired excursions or by renting a car, while motorboat and outrigger canoe rentals are enjoyable ways to explore the lagoon and surrounding motu. Yachts can be chartered with or without captain and crew, and helicopters are available for island tours or for transportation to and from Papeete, all of which can be arranged in advance by yoru travel consultant.
Health: 1 infirmary at Vaitape.
Banks: 1 “Banque de Polynésie”, 1 “Banque Socredo”.