Moorea in one minute
The easy island: 17 km from Tahiti, with jagged green peaks, two deep bays and a calm, clear lagoon. Better value than Bora Bora, and the best first step beyond Papeete for couples and families.
Go if you want
- Mountains, bays and lagoon within a short drive
- A short ferry ride instead of a flight
- Good guesthouses and food at fair prices
Think twice if you want
- Overwater luxury on a large scale: Bora Bora is better
- Nightlife: evenings are quiet
- Getting around without a car, scooter or bike
Our ratings
Odali editorial scores out of 5.
When to go
May to October is drier and calmer for the lagoon. November to April is hotter and wetter, with fewer visitors and often lower prices. Humpback whales visit from July to October.
Day-by-day plans
Pick your length. Each plan keeps one big outing a day and leaves time on the beach.
Where to stay
The north coast is the most scenic, the north-west is the most convenient, pensions are the best value.
Best valueFamily pension
Family-run houses and bungalows give the most local stay and the best value on the island. Ask your host to arrange the ferry transfer.
Compare pensionsMost scenicNorth coast, bay views
The best setting for a first visit, with the peaks behind you and the bays in front. Good for walkers and photographers.
Compare north coast staysComfortBeach or overwater resort
Resorts put you on the lagoon with transfers and activities arranged, and are close to the ferry.
See Moorea resortsOur advice
Two nights is the minimum to enjoy it, three or four is better. Sleep on the north coast for the views, or near the ferry if you arrive late. Check current rates and reviews before booking.
Your guesthouse or hotel here
Reach travellers while they choose where to sleep in Moorea.
Promote your businessYour tour or car rental here
Put your service in front of people planning their days.
Promote your businessThings to do
Prices are indicative ranges. Confirm with the operator.
FreeBelvedere lookout
The view over Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, with the pointed peaks behind. Stop in the valley to see the old temple sites.
See it in the planBucket listLagoon day by boat
Snorkel in shallow water with rays and small reef sharks, then picnic on a sandbank. Choose a small group.
Compare lagoon toursWhale watching
Humpback whales visit the channel between Tahiti and Moorea. Pick an operator that follows local rules for approach distance.
Compare whale toursRound-island drive
The coastal road passes beaches, pineapple stands and viewpoints. Temae on the north-east side is wide and good for families.
Add a car to my budgetGuided hike
Ridge and valley trails are steep and slippery after rain, so a local guide is worth it.
Compare guided hikesWhere to eat
Eat by the bays for the view, at roadside stands for local flavour, and try the island pineapple.
Roadside stands
Grilled fish, poisson cru and fresh fruit from stands around the island. Cheap and good, and cash is easier.
Pineapple and juices
Moorea is known for its pineapples and juices, sold at stands around the island. Buy a few for the road.
Bay-side restaurants
Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay have restaurants with the peaks behind the table. Book ahead for sunset in high season.
Pension dinners
Most hosts cook a Polynesian dinner on request. Ask the day before.
What to order
- Poisson cru: raw tuna with coconut milk and lime
- Mahi-mahi: grilled, often with vanilla sauce
- Fresh pineapple: sold everywhere
What it costs
Build your own estimate. Ranges are indicative and exclude flights.
Includes rooms, local meals and the activities you picked. Open-ended prices are shown as a starting price.
Check live pricesBefore you go
Check the ferry timetable
Fast ferries take 30 to 45 minutes. Book ahead in high season and confirm the last return before planning a day trip.
Rent wheels
A car, scooter or bike makes the round-island road easy. Public transport only meets ferries at set times.
Arrange your transfer
If you arrive by ferry without a car, agree a transfer with your host in advance.
Carry some cash
Roadside stands and small pensions prefer cash in CFP francs (XPF), pegged to the euro.
Hike with a guide
Trails are steep and slippery after rain.
Respect the reef
Use reef-safe sunscreen and do not touch coral or feed rays and sharks.
Can I visit Moorea in a day from Tahiti?
Yes, by ferry or a short flight. A day gives you the belvedere and a lagoon tour, but staying a night adds sunsets and quieter beaches.
Is Moorea cheaper than Bora Bora?
Generally yes, especially for lodging and food, because pensions and small hotels are widespread.
Do I need a car?
It helps a lot for the loop and the belvedere. Scooters and bikes are alternatives if you are comfortable on the road.
When are the whales here?
From July to October.
Is Moorea worth it?
Yes. It is the best value in the Society Islands and pairs well with Tahiti.
Book Moorea
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Prices and schedules change: confirm with airlines, ferries, operators and hotels before booking. Photos: Mouaroa belvedere view, via Wikimedia Commons, resized. Header photo: Matthew Dillon (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
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