For such a small island, you’ll be surprised to find that there are some terrific things to do on Moorea during your visit to this stunning French Polynesia island. Did you know that Moorea island boasts eight mountain peaks? Not only that, but the crystal clear water in the lagoons is mesmerizing and perfect for an afternoon of snorkeling.
If you happen to fly over Moorea island, you might be amazed to see that it is heart shaped. Perfect if you are visiting for a romantic getaway. Moorea island is one of the top honeymoon destinations in Tahiti.
15 Things to Do On Moorea
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Chris and I recently returned from a dreamy vacation in Tahiti. It was outstanding, amazing, terrific—all the best adjectives.
We spent a little time in Papeete first and then took the ferry to Moorea island for an tropical beachside getaway. Is Moorea island worth a visit? YES!
1. Stay in an Overwater Bungalow
I can’t recommend an overwater bungalow stay enough. The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa is awesome. While I will say that this is a pretty spendy luxury hotel stay, it is so worth it. It makes the top of my list of things to do in Moorea.
My review on TripAdvisor:
“If you are on the fence about whether or not you should book an overwater bungalow, do it. My husband and I loved our room, the window in the floor for watching the fish, the covered deck, the dock and the easy access to snorkeling in the lagoon.
We aren’t usually lay-in-the-sun-and-do-nothing kind of travelers. We like to hike and sightsee and do as much as possible. We might be convinced otherwise now to intersperse our sightseeing travel with a relaxing overwater bungalow stay every so often.
While I might have liked to have the bathroom be a little more private, you can’t beat standing in the shower and seeing the lagoon out your window. We enjoyed the complimentary replenishment of our minibar each day as well as the included use of snorkel equipment, paddleboards and kayaks. The breakfast buffet which was included with our room stay offered a variety of breads and fruits along with made-to-order omelets or eggs or french toast. Seriously, the french toast was the best! And we were seated on the deck overlooking the water. Perfect.
Other amenities you may appreciate are the fitness center, tennis courts, free parking, restaurants, a pool, the beach area with beach chairs, jet ski rentals, and views that go on for miles.”
Jolayne
>> Hotel Stay: Check Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa Availability on Booking.com
2. Relax at the Beach
As noted in the review above, sitting and relaxing at the beach is NOT usually our travel style. But I think it might be now. When you have your own private deck to lounge on or a pristine sandy beach, relaxing on your beachside getaway is quite appealing. You may not even have to wonder what to do in Moorea for your stay if you love relaxing!
There are definitely some things you want to pack to make the most of your beachside getaway.
- Sunscreen
- After Sun Gel
- Bug Spray
- Beach Clothing & Gear
- Snorkel Gear
- Sunglasses
- Underwater Camera or GoPRO
- Beach Tote Bag
If you want to access my FREE beach packing list, drop your email in the link below, and the list is yours!
3. Swim Right From Your Overwater Bungalow Dock
Each overwater bungalow features a covered deck as well as a lower dock where you can use the ladder to slip into the turquoise blue water of the lagoon.
I’m pretty particular about swimming in cold water. When my family tells me the water is fine, it usually isn’t. This water? It is perfect, absolutely clear, and a great temperature.
Once you finish your swim, stretch out on the lower dock for a little sunbathing.
4. Visit the Tiki Village Cultural Center
The Tiki Village Cultural Center is approximately 20 minutes from the Hilton Moorea Hotel. Chris booked only the entertainment portion of the Tahitian Legends presentation. It was scheduled to start at 9:00 pm, but it didn’t get going until about 9:20 and lasted until 10:45.
You can also make a reservation for activities and the meal prior to the dancing, but you’ll want to plan for four to five hours for the whole experience.
Note that the Tahitian Legends performance is on Tuesday and Friday only. Other locations also offer this cultural experience on different nights of the week. You can even enjoy it at the Hilton Moorea on Saturday evening.
5. Rent an E-Bike or Scooter to Explore Moorea Island
As you drive along the perimeter road on Moorea island, you’ll see many pedestrians, bicyclists, scooters and e-bike riders along the shoulder of the road. Renting an e-bike or scooter is a great way to discover the island at your own pace.
You can rent the scooters right at the entrance gate of Hilton Moorea.
Your e-bike rental will include:
- A map of Moorea island (including pineapple plantations, Polynesian temples, and white sand beach locations)
- 100 miles of riding
- A helmet
- Bike lock
- Bikes delivered to your location
>> Tour: Check Availability for E-Bike Rental on Moorea with Viator
6. Book an ATV Tour
Ready for a little bit of exhilaration and adventure as you get to know Moorea island? One of the things to do on Moorea is to book a guided tour of the famous pineapple fields, marvel at the views from Belvedere Point, and sample homemade jam at the agricultural school. These small-group tours are perfect for adrenaline junkies.
And…you’ll love the convenience of the hotel pick up and drop off.
>> Tour: Check Availability for an ATV Tour with Viator
7. Book a Snorkel Excursions
Chris and I loved this half day tour, “Moorea Snorkeling & Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo” with our captain Leo. The tour includes:
- Round trip transfer from your Moorea hotel
- Snorkeling gear (mask and fins)
- Fruit, tropical juice and cocktails
- Relaxing on the beautiful catamaran Taboo
Our group stopped first at an area that is popular for seeing black-tip sharks and stingrays. The sharks don’t bother people at all. From there, we snorkeled at a coral garden between two small islands off of Moorea to discover all kinds of colorful, tropical fish.
Chris and I had our own full face snorkel masks (discover why we like them) but opted to borrow fins from Leo’s stash. Swimming with fins is so much easier. Especially when you are fighting against currents.
The last snorkeling stop of the day was at a spot where Tiki statues were hidden in the water.
If you want to extend your time on the catamaran named Taboo, there is also a sunset tour available. The sunsets are amazing and would certainly make for memorable things to do on Moorea.
>> Tour: Check Availability for the Moorea Snorkeling & Sailing Tour on Taboo with Viator
>> Sunset Tour: Check Availability for the Moorea Sunset Tour on Taboo with Viator
8. Rent a Jet Ski
If Chris and I had had one more day at Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa, we would have booked the jet ski tour as another one of the exhilarating things to do on Moorea. The bonus? A variety of meeting points are available including the Hilton Moorea.
>> Tour: Jet-Ski Découverte 1H00 Jet Ski excursion to Moorea (Single or two-seater) with Viator
>> Hotel: Check Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa Availability on Booking.com
9. Explore Moorea Island in a Rental Car
We brought our rental car with us on the ferry from Papeete. (See the information below on getting to Moorea). While we did not use the car every day, we appreciated the convenience of having it to do our own exploring.
Avis is one of the international brands you might recognize that is available on the island. Avis is within walking distance of the ferry port. Chris priced everything out and decided that the convenience factor and higher price of car rentals on Moorea warranted renting in Papeete and transporting the car via ferry to Moorea island.
10. Parasail
If parasailing has always been on your bucket list, why not add it to your list of things to do on Moorea and give it a go? It reminds me of paragliding with Chris from Mt. Pilatus in Switzerland.
>> Tour: Moorea Parasailing Experience with Viator
11. Paddleboard
I have never been on a paddleboard before. Crazy, I know, because we have one at home as well as a lake near our house. But, I figured, I’d rather try paddleboarding (using the free equipment provided by the Hilton Moorea) in the crystal clear and warm waters of this lagoon than at home in a cold lake!
Bonus? Neither Chris nor I fell off our boards! You could say I’m a pro now—unless you get too close to me.
12. Kayak
Hilton Moorea offers the use of paddle boards, kayaks, and snorkel equipment to hotel residents for FREE. Gliding through the lagoon is the perfect way to start your morning on Moorea island.
Fancy a kayak tour in a transparent kayak? Those tours are available as well.
>> Tour: Moorea Lagoon Tour by Transparent Kayak with Viator
13. Hike to Afareaitu Waterfall
Afareaitu Waterfall is a one-hour drive from the Hilton Moorea. If you have transportation available to you, this is the perfect opportunity to visit.
Chris and I hiked to the falls on our last day on Moorea island. We opted to hike in our swimsuits with shorts and shirts over top in order to take advantage of the pool at the bottom of the falls. This would be a great time to bring a towel, beach tote (or backpack), and sunscreen from my Beach Gear on my Amazon Storefront. Check it out!
There is no fee to access this waterfall if you go on your own.
>> Tour: Half-Day Hike to Afareaitu Waterfall through Viator
14. Drive to Toatea Lookout Point
When you exit the ferry and turn right onto the perimeter road, you will drive for about ten minutes before reaching Toatea Lookout Point with its views of the Sofitel overwater bungalows.
Be sure to pull over and enjoy the stunning vista. It gets you excited for your tropical beachside getaway.
Belvedere Lookout is pretty awesome as well and offers stunning views of Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay.
15. Enjoy a Spa Day
Ahhh, need I say more. Whether you start off your vacation with a relaxing massage or indulge in a facial before returning home, you’ll love the spa at the Hilton Moorea.
Another Hotel Option
For our last night on the island, Chris and I chose to stay on the other side of the island. and then hike to the Afareaitu Waterfall before taking the ferry back to Papeete.
While it wasn’t on the level of luxury with the Hilton Moorea, the Linareva Moorea Beach Resort was still oceanfront with fantastic views. It gets a 9.4/10 rating with over 200 positive reviews. Plus, it is a lot more budget friendly.
>> Hotel: Check the Linareva Moorea Beach Resort Availability on Booking.com
Money in Moorea
If you are buying food from food trucks, paying for a massage with a local, or buying things at a weekly market, most often you will need to have cash. Credit cards are accepted at major hotels, many restaurants, and
The official currency of French Polynesia is the Pacific franc (CFP Franc).
How to Get To Moorea Island
If you are traveling from Papeete to Moorea, you will need to take the ferry (or schedule a flight). Moorea island is located 10 nautical miles from Papeete and makes for an easy day trip or week long destination whether you are traveling as a couple, with your family, or for a friends getaway.
You can book passage with two ferry companies: Aremiti or Terevau. The Aremiti ferry line transferred Chris and I as well as our rental car from the Papeete port to Moorea’s Vaiare marina.
It worked best for us and our schedule to use the Aremiti line for the transport of our rental car.
If you are taking a vehicle to Moorea, the driver MUST stay with the car and drive it onto the ferry. All passengers will need to leave the vehicle and check-in at the terminal and walk on to the ferry. Be sure to send the digital tickets to your “passengers” via email, screen shot, or message app.
This is one place where speaking more French would have been handy. It isn’t always clearly marked where to park to wait to board the ferry.
The ferry ride to Moorea is approximately 45 minutes. Many of the passengers make a beeline for the cafeteria. You can purchase food or bring your own food on board to enjoy. If you hurry, you can reserve window seats for you and your group and enjoy the view.
There are restrooms onboard.
As you get close to Moorea, everyone in your party will be directed to return to your vehicle where you will ALL drive off the ferry together.
If you simply walked onto the ferry (without a rental car to transport), once you arrive on Moorea island, you will need to get transport to your Tahitian resort or vacation rental, rent a car at the Avis close to the terminal, or have someone pick you up.
Where is Moorea located?
Where in the world is Moorea island? Check out this Tahiti map.
Moorea is one of the small islands in French Polynesia only 45 minutes by ferry from Papeete. Centrally located in the Pacific Ocean, Tahiti is approximately five hours by flight from Hawaii or Auckland. Leaving from San Francisco (SKO)? The flight is 8 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days should I spend on Moorea island?
I heard many tourists talk about their “day trips” to Moorea, but this stunning island warrants a much longer stay. A minimum of 3 days allows you to explore and enjoy the pristine beauty of the island. If you love to relax by the beach, more than 3 days would be welcome. You won’t want to go home!
How far is Bora Bora from Papeete?
The flight from Papeete to Bora Bora takes about one hour. You can also go by ferry. The ferry takes almost eight hours.
When is the best time to visit Moorea?
Chris and I visited in February which is the “rainy season”. We only experienced two rain storms on the Papeete and Moorea during our visit for the 8 days we were in Tahiti. Many suggest that visiting in September and October is more temperate, but you might also find it busier with tourists.
Tip for visiting Moorea island?
Bring bug spray. If you are loved by mosquitos and no-see-ums at home, they’ll love you just as much in Moorea. I brought Buggins insect repellent and was happy with that.
Is it better to stay in Papeete or Moorea?
Our visit to Papeete was fantastic and worth a few days visit instead of just a layover, but Moorea was fantastic on another level. It was quieter, there were far fewer tourists, the water was amazing, and it was perfect for spending relaxing days by the beach.
Can you drink the tap water in Moorea?
We drank the tap water at the Hilton Moorea. When we stayed at the Linareva Resort, we were advised not to drink the tap water but to use bottled water instead.
Do you tip on Moorea island?
Moorea does not have a tipping culture. You may wish to tip for exceptional customer service but it is not expected.
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Final Thoughts on 15 Terrific Things to Do on Moorea Island in Tahiti
I think my husband is already planning a trip back to Tahiti, and I am pretty sure the overwater bungalows at Hilton Moorea are at the top of his list.
If you are planning a romantic beachside getaway, this trip will blow your socks off! That’s ok, though, you’ll be wearing flip flops.
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- 20 Epic Adventures and Dream Destinations for Your Couples Bucket List
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I went to Tahiti once on a cruise. We hit a cyclone and spent a lot of time wallowing in the ocean riding the storm out. Finally in Papeete we only had a few hours before the cruise left. Still enjoyed my time there.
Looks gorgeous! Love your list and the beautiful photos.
I love the idea of staying in this type of bungalow. It must feel like staying on a boat.
Moorea Island looks amazing, and there’s so much to do there. I’d love to stay in the overwater bungalow!
I love how many little practical tips you include, like how far away Moorea is from other islands in Tahiti and the South Pacific. That map is so helpful!
I loved seeing this post because I love Moorea! We spent 7 weeks there last winter and loved it so much I hope to go again. Your suggestions are all great. We did not rent an ATV or ATV Tour so I think that would be something we would definitely do next time. Thanks for a walk down memory lane.
I’m sold! I read your post from top to bottom, picturing myself sunbathing on the private deck and sitting next to the waterfalls. Like you, I’m not a fan of cold water so this sounds fantastic. Tahiti (and specifically Moorea) are now on my bucket list. I think five days would work wonders!
Wow wow wow, what an incredible trip, thanks for sharing so much useful info! 🙂
This is great information, I have always wondered if there is enough to do for us as we like to get out and about a lot…but it looks so beautiful and relaxing…
Simply stunning! Glad to hear you thoroughly enjoyed it. We only did a day trip, but I can see how staying longer would be even better! 🙂
We loved Tahiti! The most beautiful water I’ve ever seen! But we missed the overwater bungalow–Next time!
Wow! This place looks beautiful! Thank you for sharing 🙂
This is a dream destination for me! I’ve never heard of the Tiki Village Cultural Center either!
On the travel wish list! Would love to visit Tahiti and spend a long time exploring the Pacific islands. Moorea was definitely on the list. And now I can see we need a longer stay. Interesting idea to take your rental car with you.
This is such a dream trip for me! One day…
You had me at over water bungalows and waterfalls! This looks like such a dreamy place to visit so thanks for brining it to my attention!
WOW, the overwater bungalow you stayed in literally seems out of a dream. I’m sure you’re right that it’s worth the price! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This is a bucket list destination for me. Saved for when I start my round the world trip 🙂
Would love to visit Tahiti and spend some time on Moorea Island. There definitely are some great things to do on such a small island. The water activities would be a big draw for us. Need to get a long trip planned for the South Pacific!
Sounds wonderful – even if it isn’t my kind of vacation.
I’ve been to Tahiti and it is a beautiful place. On saying that, I visited and a cyclone hit so I got to see a different ‘beautiful’.
The overwater bungalow is definitely pricey, but it’s worth the experience of a lifetime. At least you had access to a canoe, scuba gears and paddle. Love all the different fun adventures the island has to offer. I appreciate you sharing your experiences.
Wowzers, this island looks amazing!
I am definitely adding this to the bucketlist! Thank you for sharing 😉
Exactly the information I’ve been looking for! Thanks Jolayne! We’ll have three days at the Hilton but I hope we can get out to see Magic Mountain. Doable on e-bike?
We’d love to visit Moorea, staying in the overwater bungalows. This has long been on our list. Water sports are always a favorite of ours.