Moorea, an island in French Polynesia, is the epitome of paradise island escape. Known for crystal clear water, vibrant coral reefs, Humpback Whale migrations, and lush landscape, Moorea is a bucket list vacation destination. Here is your ultimate travel guide with everything you need to know to visit Moorea.
What’s the Moorea Weather Like?
Moorea has a Pacific tropical climate with year-round sunshine and two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The dry season primarily runs from May to October. During this time, the weather is usually sunny and warm, with minimal rain. All year, the temperature stays at highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s to low 70s. From May to October, the trade winds tend to blow from the southeast and help cool the island.
What’s the best time to visit Moorea?
If you want to see the famous Humpback Whale migration and swim with the whales, plan to visit from July to November, which is whale season.
Based on the weather above, the best time to visit Moorea is in the dry months, from May to October. This is a beautiful time of the year to visit. However, that is also the high season when you see increased prices and tourists.
I tend to travel during the shoulder season. The shoulder season for Moorea is in April and November. I visited Moorea in April and found it the perfect time to be there. Nothing seemed overly crowded, and the weather was terrific. There was a little rain, but not enough to stop any activities drastically. In my experience, trade winds affect activities more than precipitation. Sometimes it was sunny, but difficult to enjoy the water because the winds were over 30 miles per hour.
If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly option, travel during the wet season from December to March to find the lowest prices of the year.
How to Get to Moorea?
Moorea is a part of one of the most remote island chains in the world. French Polynesia is over 4,000 miles from the mainland of the United States, making it a journey for Americans to visit. There is no international airport in Moorea. Before going to Moorea, you must enter French Polynesia through the Faa’a airport in Papeete on the island of Tahiti. There are direct flights on Delta and United from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Hawaiian Airlines runs a once-weekly flight from Honolulu to Papeete.
Once you arrive in Papeete, you can take a 15-minute Air Tahiti flight or a ferry ride to Moorea. Most people choose the ferry ride as it has a more flexible schedule, beautiful scenery, and is more budget-friendly. The ferry leaves from a pier in Papeete. You will need to take a taxi from the airport to the dock. Multiple ferries run from Papeete to Moorea; you can see the schedules here.
Important note: The day’s last ferry from Tahiti to Moorea runs at 5 pm. If you cannot coordinate your flight to get on the 5 pm ferry, you’ll need to spend the night on Tahiti Island. Suppose this is you; no fret. It was me, too, and I enjoyed a relaxing night at the Hilton Tahiti before sailing to Moorea in the morning.
Once you arrive in Moorea, you can get a taxi to your accommodations or rent a car or scooter.
Do you Need a Rental Car in Moorea?
The need for a rental car depends on where your accommodations are located and what you want to experience on your trip. Public transportation could be more dependable. While there are buses that run around the island, there aren’t many designated bus stops. There are taxis on the island, especially by the ferry terminal, hotel, and major hotels.
If you’re staying at one of the major resorts on the island (Hilton Moorea, Hotel Manava, or Sofietal) you won’t need a rental car for the entirety of your stay. You can arrange transportation from the ferry or airport to the hotel with the hotel. The tour companies will pick you up for excursions at your hotel. Also, the major restaurants in town run complimentary shuttle service to the leading hotels to pick you up and drop you off for your dining experience. I do think it’s worthwhile to rent a car or scooter for at least one day during your stay to get off of the resort and experience more of the island.
The need for a car rental is more prevalent if you’re staying at an Airbnb or private rental, where you must set up your transportation to excursions, restaurants, etc. In this case, I think it is worth renting a car from the airport or ferry terminal when you arrive and having it with you the entire trip.
What are the Moorea Hotel Options?
Moorea has various lodging options, from upscale hotels with signature overwater bungalows, such as Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa, Hotel Manava, and Sofietal Kia Ora Moorea. There are also various Airbnb units for multiple budgets and a more budget-friendly hostel: The Moorea Surf Inn.
I opted to stay in an overwater bungalow at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa. I’m biased because this is where I chose to stay, but I believe this is the best accommodation on the island. The stunning views from the overwater bungalow overlooking the crystal clear water in the lagoon is a memory I’ll never forget. The hotel had incredible staff, excellent food, and endless water activities. I never tired of snorkeling around the hotel and looking at the ocean like my aquarium filled with brilliant coral and fish.
You can read more about my experience at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa here.
How Many Days to Spend on Moorea?
If you’re island hopping in the French Polynesian islands and want to see multiple islands on one trip, I recommend spending at least three days on Moorea. If Moorea is your destination, you can spend 5-7 days and experience all the island offers without feeling rushed. I spent six nights in Moorea and one night in Tahiti island. This felt like the perfect time to enjoy Moorea and relax.
What to Pack for a Moorea Vacation?
When it comes to packing for Moorea, less is more. You don’t need a lot. Pack bathing suits, comfortable, light clothes, and the necessities for spending lots of time in the sunshine. Read more on what to pack for Moorea here: Packing List: French Polynesia.
Packing list for Moorea:
- Reef safe sunscreen
- Power adapter for European outlets in the hotel rooms
- Waterproof phone case to capture the sealife or a GoPro
- Water shoes
- Dry bag if you plan to go out on boats or paddleboards
- Bathing Suits/Swim Trunks
- Cover-ups
- Beach clothes (shorts, tanks, dresses) for days in the sun
- Comfortable sandals
- Toiletries/Medications
- Elevated resort attire for dinners if going to restaurants
- Sunglasses
- Hat for sun protection
- Sneakers and workout attire if you plan to hike or exercise. You don’t need hiking boots.
- A warmer shirt/sweater for chilly nights
- Basic first aid kit
- Insect repellent and calming lotion if you get bites
- Anti-nausea medication if you get motion sickness on boats
What is The Currency Used in Moorea?
The currency used in Moorea is the French Pacific Franc. You can withdraw from ATMs as needed for your trip. Visa and Mastercard were widely accepted in Moorea.
What Are the Languages of Moorea?
The primary languages spoken in Moorea are Tahitian and French. English was also widely spoken in hotels, by taxi drivers, in restaurants, and tourist areas.
Top Things to Do In Moorea
Moorea is an outdoor paradise. Spend as much time as possible in nature during your stay. Here are my recommendations.
Enjoy the Crystal Clear Water
The ocean in Moorea is crystal clear, with abundant sea life and vibrant coral. It is the most spectacular water I’ve ever swam or snorkeled in. Plan to enjoy the water by swimming, snorkeling, or diving.
Swim with the Sharks and Stingrays
An absolute must-do excursion is swimming with the sharks and stingrays. Yes, you swim right alongside sharks, but no worries, they are small reef sharks. And, you get to interact with stingrays, which I’ve learned are the puppy dogs of the ocean. They love attention, pets, and treats.
Swim With the Humpback Whales (Seasonal)
From July through November, the giant Humpback whales migrate through the waters of Moorea. Moorea is one of the only places in the world where you can swim alongside the Humpback whales.
My only regret about visiting Moorea is that I didn’t go during whale migration season and couldn’t swim with the whales. If you are there between July through November, please swim with the whales; it looks incredible. In fact, on the Moorea Ocean Adventures website, they recommend booking 2 or 3 tours during your stay to swim with the whales.
Enjoy The Local Cuisine
The cuisine in Moorea is outstanding. The freshness of the fish and fruit is unmatched, and the flavors of the blending of the Polynesian and French cultures make for delicious fresh food. You must try Poisson Cru, a marinated raw fish similar to Hawaiian Poke but with a coconut milk and lime base.
Rudy’s Restaurant is a good choice if you’re looking for a dinner restaurant. The food and service were my favorite on the island, and I recommend everybody enjoy a meal at Rudy’s.
Peep the Views From Magic Mountain
Magic Mountain is Moorea’s highest elevation, with remarkable views. You can hike to the top of Magic Mountain, which I did and enjoyed. If you do, I recommend downloading the trail off of the AllTrails app prior to the hike. If you want a ride to the top, some excursions offer lifts to the top to see the views.
Go to Belvedere Lookout
Another scenic viewpoint on the island offering majestic views is Belvedere Lookout. This is a must-do on the island and is easy to access. You can drive a road to the viewpoint and there is a parking lot at the lookout. From the viewpoint, there is a trail system that jets out in different directions. You can walk the trails by foot to explore different viewpoints of the island.
Drive Around the Island
No matter where your accommodations are located, I recommend renting a car or scooter and driving around the island for at least one day. The island is relatively small. It’s only 37 miles long to circle the island, and the road has no traffic lights or stop signs. While you can make the drive in as little as an hour, I encourage you to take it slow and make plenty of stops along the way. Rent a car or scooter and see where the day takes you. When I rented a car for the day, I made many stops to hop in the water, appreciate the island’s beauty, get a bite to eat, and get fresh fruit.
Watch the Sunset
In a place as beautiful as Moorea, I always take time to slow down and give thanks for nature and my day. This is often during sunset. Take time to slow down, watch the sunset, and see the vibrant colors embrace the sky. The sun setting over the ocean is magical and a perfect ending to any day in paradise.
To conclude, Moorea is a stunning island where nature lovers can enjoy the sun and water. It is truly paradise. When you visit, enjoy all that it has to offer. I hope this Moorea French Polynesia Ultimate Travel Guide helped you plan your vacation.
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