Moorea Is A Beautiful Island That Has One Main Beach Road
Moorea is a beautiful island that has one main beach road around it that is easy to navigate and see all the natural beauty that is evident everywhere you look. There are great places to stay but no highrises which makes it even more charming and desireable. There are many great beachside restaurants to choose from. A must experience, is the Tiki Village dinner and theater. It is the most authentic Polynesian dinner and show I’ve ever seen and it is filled with heart…and fire! Go!
Where To Eat In Moorea
Toatea creperie at the Hilton this creperie is delicious!! Youll see sharks swimming by during dinner, which is awesome, and the food is so so good. Definitely save room for the dessert crepes yum.
Le Lezard Jaune I would have gone to this place every single night of our vacation in Moorea if I could have. Le Lezard Jaune was my favorite meal in all of French Polynesia I felt like I was having dinner in Paris mixed with an island dinner, aka the ideal combination. We loved this restaurant, and the people who run it. It is also open air, which is great.
Here you can watch the stingrays and sometimes even sharks over lunch or dinner! They also offer a free shuttle from the Hilton.
Where not to eat in Moorea: RUDYS.
Check Out The Views From Magic Mountain Of Moorea
From the top of Magic Mountain, youll enjoy an incredible, sweeping view of the islands coastline, including the coral reefs! Its the perfect spot for epic photosor even a picnic!
If youd rather leave the driving to someone else, consider a full-day tour from a local. In fact, this tour by four-wheel drive includes a visit to Belvedere Pineapple Farm and island distillery!
Guest review:Breathtaking. Our guide Ron was great, he spoke 4 languages. Amazing views. The pineapple farm was very interesting. Love the tasting at the juice factory. Katie T., Nov 2021
You can check out prices and availability on the tour here.
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Restruants Were Within Walking Distance And We Never Had
Restruants were within walking distance and we NEVER had safty concerns. Local’s are friendly and inviting. Polynesia is an island chain and everything is imported so keep in mind it is pricy. We walked to the Yacht club and Rudys, which were fantastic. We had a car and checked out the entire island. A visit to Jus de Fruits de Moorea S.A. for Tahiti Drink was a bonus.
Plan Your Trip To French Polynesia
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Head To The Best Beaches In Moorea
The best beach in Moorea? Its impossible to choose! If youre not staying at a resort, head directly to one of the beautiful public beaches. You can choose from:
Tipaniers Beach
You can park in front of the little hotel and head directly to the beach or out into the shallow reef for snorkeling.
Join the locals on the dock for a scenic sunset or dive into the beach bar for a coffee or a beer to wait out a thundershower.
Temae Beach
Right by the Sofitel hotel is another gorgeous beach for both swimming and Moorea snorkeling.
Its about a 30-minute drive from Les Tipaniers or 20 minutes north of the ferry terminal. It too offers great snorkeling.
Youll navigate an easy dirt road through a forest to the parking lot here. Just keep heading towards the water.
Taahiamanu Beach
This a public beach located about halfway between the two beaches above. Easy street parking, public showers and picnic benches . A nearby mini-market is convenient, too.
Tiahura Beach
This one is close to Les Tipaniers. This is a tiny, narrow white-sand beach located inside a park with free showers, toilets, and fewer beachgoers.
The park does close at 5:30 pm, however, so theres that. Not as great for snorkeling.
If you plan to do some snorkeling on Moorea, bring your gear from home! It was harder than I expected to rent gear on the island of Moorea.
The only place I found was a beach shack at Les Tipaniers, but there was no affordable rental rate beyond a half-day rate.
Sip Cocktails On The Beach
Need a mid-day break and refreshment? Even if youre not staying at a resort, you can enjoy some of the best amenities like private beach access and dining practically on the beach.
My picks: Stop for a snack or a drink with a view at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, the Intercontinental Moorea or the Manava Beach Resort. Just be aware that wifi here likely costs extra!
Wifi is free to guests only, which is a bit of a bummer since reliable Wifi can be elusive on Moorea.
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Peaceful Bungalow In Moorea Island: Cocoon Vanh
Cooks Bay is often regarded as one of the most beautiful bays in the world! Its lined with pineapple trees, locally-owned restaurants, and mesmerizing viewpoints. This bungalow is right on the edge of the bay, giving you a little extra privacy. Car hire and transfers are also included, saving you even more money on your trip to Moorea Island.
Manava Beach Resort & Spa
Located on the north side of the island, Manava beach resort is situated directly on the water, boasted beautiful overwater bungalows, beach villas, and garden suites. Relax on the private beach or dine by one of the outdoor infinity pools. Prices starting in the $300/night range and increase based on villa location preference.
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Try Poisson Cru At Snack Mahana
Whatever you dodont miss tasting poisson cru, which is roughly translated as raw fish, in Moorea. Its not fancy, but I think Snack Mahana is one of the best restaurants in Moorea to try it.
This isnt your typical ceviche, however. Poisson cru is served throughout French Polynesia. Its essentially sustainable eating as all the ingredients are readily available on the islands.
First, ahi tuna is briefly marinated in lime juice. Then a little coconut milk is added, along with cucumber, carrot, and tomato.
Heres an easy recipe if youd like to bring a taste of Tahiti to your table soon.
Are Hotels In Moorea Safe During The Coronavirus Crisis
Hotels are safe environments for travelers as long as they properly implement sanitary measures in response to coronavirus . However, we recommend getting in touch with the local authorities regarding safety procedures for hotels in Moorea. For more advice, please view our information page on what to know about coronavirus and travel.
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Where To Stay In Moorea By Budget
Not only is Moorea a diverse island for all of its landforms, flora, and coral reef, but it also has plenty of diverse accommodation options for all budget types.
Contrary to popular belief, Moorea doesnt HAVE to be an expensive place to visit if you know where to book your stay.
Below, youll find a detailed guide on where to stay in Moorea if youre on a budget, if youre looking to pay mid-range prices, and if you want a luxury vacation.
How Many Days Do You Need In Moorea
If youre planning a trip to French Polynesia, you may be wondering, how many days do I need in Moorea?
Mike and I spent two months exploring this paradise island and we still didnt think it was enough.
With that said, we highly recommend spending at least 7 days traveling around Moorea.
Although you wont be able to see everything, you will be able to see the best highlights on the island.
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Things To See And Do In Moorea Island:
- Take a trip up to Haapiti with your surfboard, or simply admire the view if youre inexperienced.
- Belvedere Lookout is a great spot for viewing all of the islands best-known attractions from sacred mountains to ancient ruins.
- Many hotels across French Polynesia offer local performances. If youre in Moorea, skip them for a more authentic display at Tiki Village.
Things To See And Do In Moorea
Kick back, soak up the sun, max and relaxall of the above are key activities to enjoy while visiting Moorea. However, the island does also have some amazing options for sightseeing and adventuring for those who want to explore this tropical paradise and fully experience its natural beauty.
- Hike, cycle, or ride an ATV to the top of the Belvedere Lookout for some of the most breathtakingly stunning views on the entire islandbe sure to keep your eyes peeled for the ancient Polynesian temples and that can be seen along the way
- Snorkel, kayak, or simply admire the view of Mooreas amazing Lagoon. Crystal clear and lovely, it extends for miles and is filled with brightly colored marine life and coral
- Explore the Pineapple Route which leads to expansive pineapple fieldsand amazing panoramic views, including nearby Mount Rotui
- Both Cooks Bay and Opunohu Bay offer spectacular views and stunning natural landscapes. Park and explore on foot to see the best sights or take a boat tour to get the full experience
- Cooks Bay also offers other attractions to explore such as the Rotui Juice Factory & Distillery and a number of shopping options and restaurant choices
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Is Moorea As Good As Bora Bora
Before we visited the island of Moorea, we had one question: would Moorea be as good as Bora Bora?
Its true that Bora Bora tops the charts for the worlds most beautiful beaches, but Moorea offers its own breathtaking beauty that often rivals Bora Bora.
If youre deciding between the two islands, know that its much easier to get to Moorea and youll likely find cheaper prices, too.
Facts & Brief History
Moorea is a high island in the Society Islands archipelago. It was first settled by Polynesians about 1,000 years ago, arriving by boat either from other islands already colonized in the South Pacific . For many centuries, locals lived simply and traditionally with local religion and myths ruling life. Perhaps this explains the meaning of the islands name yellow lizard, likely stemming from local legend.
Samuel Wallis was the first European to make contact with the local Polynesians in 1767, followed by James Cook in 1769 and the Christian missionaries later on. With the arrival of the Europeans, traditional life gradually faded away along with much of the native population who were not immune to the diseases brought over by the foreign visitors.
These days, Moorea manages to retain some of its laid-back charms while still feeling connected to the world. Perhaps this is the reason why so many French ex-pats and retirees call this place home, seeking the peaceful life that Moorea so beautifully offers. There are a little over 16,000 residents in Moorea, almost exclusively living around the very slim coastline. Unfortunately, such development is blocking parts of the gorgeous coastline, inaccessible to the public due to private homes forming long chains of private paradises .
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Where To Stay In French Polynesia
- ·11 November, 2021
- ·Samantha – Travelling King
If you close your eyes and think of the word paradise, chances are that many of you will picture the tropical islands of French Polynesia. The area is most famous for overwater bungalows that many travelers aspire to visit just once in their lifetime.
But once youve decided to visit these magical islands of the South Pacific, you still have to choose an island to call home, and then choose the best place to stay on that island. Luckily, weve compiled a list of the best islands in French Polynesia to help you decide which beach resort is best for you.
We will cover off all types of French Polynesia accommodation options from Hostels to luxury French Polynesia hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in French Polynesia Islands, the best French Polynesia hotels, best places in French Polynesia to visit, the best places to stay in French Polynesia, hotels near French Polynesia attractions, French Polynesia neighborhood guide and many more.
Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora
For the more budget-conscious Tahiti travelers, book your stay at Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora resort. Let yourself be soothed by the serenity of nature in its purest form, the most beautiful sunsets, a perfect beach and a turquoise lagoon of dazzling beauty, rich in coral and tropical fish, rays, sharks and all manner of fascinating marine life. Overwater bungalows are also available here, and you can add on a meal plan or breakfast to your package. In addition, a European meal plan is available. Ask your Enchanted Travel agent for more details on this option.
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Visit The Sea Turtles At Te Mana O Te Moana
Te Mana O Te Moana is a center for rescuing sick and injured sea turtles that is accessible to the public and its a truly unique thing to do in Moorea.
Located within the Intercontinental Resort, volunteers care for more than 500 sea turtles, including hawksbill sea turtles, olive ridley sea turtles, green sea turtles, and loggerhead sea turtles.
Unfortunately, more than half of the turtles who arrive here have been wounded due to fishing nets, speargun hunting, and other human activity.
The good news is that about half of them are able to be released back into the wild to enjoy a happy sea turtle life in the warm waters of Moorea.
The volunteer team makes a presentation to interested visitors Monday through Friday. Contact Te Mana O Te Moana for current times.
Moorea Tahiti Packing Essentials
Sun Protection: Moorea is very much a place to spend your days in the great outdoors, so I recommend bringing along a couple pairs of sunglasses, some reef-safe sunscreen, and a hat or two .
Swim Gear: One of the best ways to experience Moorea is from the water! On my trip, I brought along my rash guard, a quick drying towel, snorkeling equipment, three swimsuits, and a cover up.
Clothing: Let your tropical style shine in Moorea and bring along light clothing such as sundresses and loose tops. I also brought along a pair of Tevas for daily wear, and a pair of hiking shoes for when we hit the trails.
Plan Your Trip to Moorea, Tahiti
After traveling consistently for over 10 years, weve come to trust and rely on a few websites to help us find the best deals on flights and accommodation.
Flights: Momondo is the first place we check when searching for cheap flights. It searches hundreds of sites for the best fare and includes both standard and budget airlines. The calendar feature shows the cheapest days to fly in your preferred month of travel.
Accommodation: Booking.com offers savings on hotels, apartments, and villas in 80,000 destinations worldwide. You can browse hotel reviews and find the guaranteed best price on hotels for all budgets.
Travel Insurance: We never travel without a travel insurance policy because its not worth the risk! We use and trust World Nomads, which weve used for the past 8 years.
About Christy Woodrow
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Things To See And Do In Tahiti Nui:
Nicholas Dalessandro
- Le Marché is a two-story marketplace in the heart of Papeete where you can grab a bite to eat and some unique souvenirs.
- Put on your hiking boots and head deep into the heart of the island for epic trails and unspoiled scenery. The Les Trois Cascades waterfalls are especially popular.
- Visit the Gauguin Museum, dedicated to the work of the famous French artist. It also has a beautiful botanic garden.
- Street food is super popular on the island . Poisson cru is a must-try delicacy .
Cute Treehouse In Tahiti Iti: Vairao Lagoon
Nestled among the trees just outside Vairao, this treehouse is the perfect spot for a peaceful retreat. We love the local area as it isnt visited by many tourists, meaning youll get to mingle with locals and discover a more authentic way of life. The bungalow itself is made out of bamboo, giving it a rustic charm. The host also runs excursions for those interested in whale watching and scenery.
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Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
This Moorea beach resort offers the perfect luxury experience, complete with panoramic views over the ocean. Located between two bays on Moorea Island, the Hilon Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa is just 20 minutes drive from the airport and 25 minutes from the ferry terminal.
The bungalows at this hotel are suspended over the turquoise water or nestled among exotic flowers and make this one of the best hotels in Moorea, French Polynesia. Some of them even boast a private plunge pool or a glass-bottom table that allows you to peek into the waters below.
The hotel also has a tennis court, three bars, and three restaurants on-site for delicious local and international dishes.