Moorea

Moorea is considered the island of love in the French Polynesia because of the islands shape resembling a heart. It is one of the most amazing places we have ever been to in the world and highly recommend vacationing in Moorea. Here's our guide on how to be a tourist in Moorea.

Where to stay

If a nice resort is in your budget, that is the best way to experience Moorea. Some of the our top choices are Hilton Moorea Resort and Spa, Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, and Hotel Manava Beach Resort and Spa.

A more affordable option that provides a local perspective is renting an Airbnb. Just make sure it has air conditioning because a surprising amount of places do not have air conditioning and it gets way too hot to go without it. As for which side of the island to stay on, anywhere is fine. It's about a 45 minute drive to circle the entire island, so you're never going to be too far away from anything. We prefer staying on the north side of the island because most excursions were in that area. However, we circled the entire island multiple times while exploring so it really doesn't matter where you stay. Just look for a quality place with amenities that fit your needs and try to stay close to the beach. The living standards are not the same as the United States. You might find cockroaches or lizards crawling around, but that's normal and they don't bother you. Also, roosters exist almost everywhere on the island and crow early in the morning.

Getting around

It is essential to rent a car in Moorea. There are no rideshare apps and taxis can be hard to come by. They drive on the right side of the road in the French Polynesia. When it comes to parking, there are pretty much no rules. Most places you go, you can just park on the side of the road. As long as you are not blocking the road, this is legal and actually expected when going to restaurants or places that don't have designated parking lots.

Most flights are purposely scheduled to arrive late at night in Tahiti after the ferry stops running and rental car companies are closed, forcing you to stay the night and take a taxi to your hotel. If you are heading to Moorea on the ferry in the morning, you'll want to stay in a hotel or hostel in Faa'a and can catach a taxi from the airport taxi stand. In the morning, you will have to make your way back to the Faa'a airport where rental car companies are located via taxi. If staying at a nice hotel for the night, ask the front desk to call you a taxi. If staying at a hostel or somewhere unable to book a taxi, you'll have to find a taxi stand located on the street and wait there. There's really no telling how long it will be before a taxi comes to one of those stands, so get there early. After you've picked up your rental car, you can take it on the ferry to Moorea which has to be booked in advance online.

Cruise port

Cruise ships anchor in either Cook's Bay or Opunohu Bay. They will then tender cruise ship passengers to shore in one of the two bays. Locals will set up a little market and sell handcrafted black pearl jewelry for cruise ship passengers. This is where you get the best prices on black pearls, the most popular souvenir to take home. Beyond this little market, there is no where that you are able to walk to and explore the island on your own. An excursion is necessary for getting around and experiencing all that Moorea has to offer.

There are two excursions that we recommend in particular for cruise ship passengers. The first is a 4 x 4 excursion that stops at Belvedere Lookout, Magic Mountain, and Manutea-rotui. This is a great excursion to see the island's highlights and is geared towards cruise ship passengers. For a more adventurous excursion, going on a snorkeling excursion is an incredible experience where you can swim in the wild with black tip sharks and stingrays, also ideal for cruise ship passengers.

Things to do

Snorkeling excursion

A snorkeling excursion is a must do while on vacation in Moorea. It's a thrilling experience where you'll have the opportunity to swim with black tip sharks in the wild and pet sting rays. Lunch and snorkel equipment is included on this 6 hour boat tour. This snorkel excursion was one of our most memorable experiences in Moorea and we highly recommend booking it.

Belvedere Lookout

Located in the middle of the island, Belvedere Lookout is the best spot for incredible views of Moorea. You can drive your car all the way to the top and park for free. From here, you can get out and walk around taking in the views. There is a railing that is the considered the lookout spot. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Pass of Three Coconuts trail from here. There are signs to guide you on the hike which is considered challenging and takes about three hours.

Manutea-rotui juice factory

A visit to Manutea-rotui juice factory is well worth a visit while in Moorea. They offer free self guided tours anytime during operating hours which are Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm, Saturday 9:00am - 4:00pm, and closed on Sunday. When you arrive at Manutea-rotui juice factory, there is a free parking lot. You'll see two buildings - the one on the left is the gift shop and on the right is the factory where self guided tours are offered. Go up the stairs to the building on the right and look for signs to guide you. Once inside, you'll be prompted to put on a hairnet before beginning your self guided tour. If you go earlier in the day, you will see more of the juice making process, whereas later in the day is packaging.

Once you are finished with your self guided tour, head over to the other building where the gift shop is located. There is a bar in the back where you can try free samples of juice, some even containing alcohol. Leave space in your suitcase, you'll definitely want to take some cartons of juice home.

4 x 4 excursion

A 4 x 4 excursion allows you to see all the major highlights of Moorea including Belvedere Lookout, Magic Mountain, and Manutea-rotui. It's an adventurous and informative tour and is well worth your time. We highly recommend booking this 4 x 4 excursion.

Quad excursion

A quad excursion is another adventurous way to experience Moorea. You can ride solo or as a duo through tropical gardens and pineapple fields. It's truly unforgettable experience that we highly recommend.

Jet ski excursion

Spend three hours zooming around the coastline of Moorea with opportunities to stop and swim with fish, sharks, and stingrays. This is a perfect excursion for those who are seeking adventure and it's the best way to see the island.

Resort for a day

Spending a day relaxing at a luxurious resort is an ideal way to vacation in Moorea. Many resorts offer day passes to utilize their amenities all day. Our favorite day pass option is at the Hilton Moorea Resort and Spa which includes use of beach, pools, paddle boards, kayaks, and a two course lunch. The cost is around $100 USD per person and you will have to email or call the resort directly to reserve your spot in advance.

Magic mountain

You can only hike or take a 4 x 4 excursion to the top of Magic Mountain, a volcanic peak with lush greenery. The hike is around three kilometers and is an easy, paved hike with plenty of signage. The hike starts at the exit of Opunohu Bay next to Tutava. Since it is a private residence, they might ask you to pay to park here so have a few dollars in cash handy. Once you reach the top, you'll experience breathtaking views of Opunohu Bay and can take the opposite route on your hike down.

Polynesian fire dance show

The Hilton Moorea Resort and Spa puts on an entertaining Polynesian fire dance show on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The cost is around $100 a person and includes a buffet dinner along with the show. You can call or email the resort directly to reserve your spot, but will pay upon arrival. The Hilton Moorea Resort and Spa is the only place in Moorea where you can witness a show like this full of culture. It is a great experience worth visiting one night.

Pineapple trail

There are endless pineapple fields in Moorea and it is a lovely sight to see. You can drive the pineapple fields on your own, or take a quad excursion to have a guide education you on the cultivating process. If you are driving on your own, pineapple trail is on the way to Belvedere Lookout, so you should include some time to stop on your way.

On any given day driving around Moorea, you will see locals sitting on the side of the road selling pineapples and other fresh fruits. This was the sweetest pineapple we have ever tasted it's a unique experience you should try.

Afareaitu waterfall hike

The Afareaitu waterfall hike takes you through the lush greenery to a scenic waterfall. To get to the start of the hike by car, drive as far as you can on some bumpy roads until you reach private property and can't drive any further. A local will most likely come out and ask for a few dollars to park on their property and then you can start your hike. It is a challenging hike as it's not paved and you have to do some climbing to reach the waterfall, but if you enjoy hiking then this is a great opportunity.

Local food

The food in Moorea is unbeatable, always made fresh and with local ingredients. We were sitting out at a restaurant and a local man walked by with a bag of fresh picked fruit on his shoulder and shouted to the owner asking if he needed any today. The owner declined, but said to come back tomorrow. We thought it was the coolest thing that the locals sell fresh food to restaurants in that manner.

One of the most interesting parts about Moorea is how there are very few restaurants on Google maps if you try to search, but that's not actually the case. There are restaurants everywhere, but they are more like outdoor shacks on the side of the road. You just park off the road and take a seat outside. We had some of the most amazing food by pulling up to random shacks and giving it a try. These are the types of places where you won't find much English, but will undoubtably be immersed in a local experience. Here are a few of our favorite places.

Cook cafe

This restaurant is shaped like a pirate ship and serves mostly crepes, both food and dessert. There is no where to park, so just park off the side of the road. Like most restaurants, all the seating is outdoors. We absolutely loved both the atmosphere and food at Cook Cafe. It's located in Cook's Bay and well worth a visit.

Toatea creperie and bar

If you want to ditch the local restaurants for a nice resort, head over to Hilton Moorea Resort and Spa. You'll need an advance reservation at Toatea creperie and bar because it is a popular spot. Not only are the crepes absolutely amazing, but your table is out by the bungalows overlooking the ocean. The best part is black tip sharks are constantly swimming in this area, so you'll get to watch them swim under your feet while you enjoy your crepes.

Manuia grill

The Manuia grill is located across from Hotel Manava Beach Resort and Spa. When you pull up, there is a big dirt area to park. Seating is located under an outdoor patio area. Manuia grill serves large portions of barbecue and polynesia meats that are mouth watering. While eating, you might have some stray dogs and cats roaming around, they are harmless and just looking for food. You are actually allowed to feed them and they are friendly. They hang out here because so many people do feed them here. Overall, we absolutely loved Manuia grill and highly recommend giving it a try.

Vaiare pizza

This pizza place is located near the ferry if finding food is a priority as soon as you get to Moorea. Again, there's no parking so you'll have to park off the side of the road. Vaiare pizza is appears as a shack, but is the epitome of restaurants in Moorea. On select nights, you can even listen to live music at Vaiare pizza.

These are only a few of the amazing restaurants in Moorea. Our best advice is to just drive and pull over to random places on the side of the road for dinner. While they might appear as shacks, that is just the local culture. This is how we really immersed ourselves in the Polynesian culture and fell in love with Moorea.

Things to know

Currency

The currency in the French Polynesia is the Pacific Franc (XPF). Many local restaurants and shops accept cash only, so you'll want to be sure to have a good amount on you. You can always exchange cash at the Faa'a airport at a currency exchange or ATM upon arrival for a fair rate.

Language

French is the official language of Moorea. At hotel chains and tourist spots, people will speak some English. However, less touristy places like all the local restaurants will speak primarily French. This does make it difficult to get by at times only speaking English. It is helpful to download a translator app on your phone in advance to make it easier.

Plugs

The French Polynesia uses plug type A, B, and E. You can purchase an international plug adapter here.

Safety

Moorea is a very safe island with minimal crime. There is really no reason to worry while in Moorea, even as a solo female traveler.

Tap water is safe to drink in Moorea.

Tipping

Tipping is not part of the culture in the French Polynesia. You can always leave a tip if you feel like you have received excellent service, but it is not expected.

Sim Card

Your best and cheapest option for a sim card is getting one at the Faa'a airport upon arrival in Tahiti. There will be signs all over the airport for sim cards with varying data options. In order to get a sim card at the airport, your phone does need to have a physical sim card that you can take out and replace with the French Polynesia one. You'll want to store your sim card safely until you return home and put it back in.

Newer phones don't have a physical sim card, rather a digital one. If this is the case, you won't be able to purchase one at the airport. Instead, purchase a virtual sim card and install it on your phone in advance. Once you land, you'll be able to activate it.

Visas

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Moorea, just a valid passport. You are allowed to stay up to 90 days with your passport every six months. You will get a physical passport stamp upon entering and leaving Tahiti, which is most likely your first point of contact in the French Polynesia. Expect long lines at customs. There are very few customs agents working and the culture is laid back so efficiency is not prioritized. Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid the lines and most flights arrive late at night adding tiredness into the mix. Your best bet is to get off the plane as quickly as possible to be among the first in line. On the bright side, they have locals playing live music to keep you entertained while waiting.

Souvenirs

The French Polynesia offers some unique souvenirs to bring home, so be sure to leave room in your suitcase. These are the top souvenirs to bring home from your trip.

Black pearls

Taking home some unique black pearls is the most popular souvenir in the French Polynesia since they are found in the nearby waters. The government does regulate the sale of black pearls, so you don't have to worry about being sold fakes. The most inexpensive place to get black pearls is at the cruise terminal. Even if you are not on a cruise ship, you can check the schedule to see when a ship will be on the island and drive to the terminal where the market is set up only on days when a cruise ship is in. If you would rather go to a jewelry shop, you can still get reasonable prices.

Vanilla perfume

All the women in the French Polynesia wear vanilla smelling perfume. You can buy a bottle of Monoi de Tahiti at any local supermarket.

Woven purses from leaves

Many locals will weave purses from leaves and sell them at markets. This is a really unique souvenir that you can purchase if you can find them.

Rotui juice

Once you get a taste of rotui juice, you will fall in love. There are so many different flavors, some even with alcohol. The juice comes in cartons and can purchased at the Rotui juice factory. The cartons do not need to be refrigerated when traveling home and they are approved by customs in other countries to bring back.

Siestas

Most restaurants and shops close for a couple of hours in the middle of the day for siestas, and almost every place is closed on Sundays all day. Always be sure to check the hours before you go somewhere and expect random closures.

We hope you enjoyed our guide on how to be a tourist in Moorea, French Polynesia. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

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