Moorea
Luxury
Sheraton
Lagoon Resort
Moderate
Moorea
Pearl Resort & Spa
Less than 10 minutes by air and 1/2 hour by ferry, are the deep, spectacular bays and white sand beaches of Moorea. Only 40 miles around, the island can easily be circled by island tour, rental car or bicycles for the more adventurous.
Often liked to James Michener's mythical island of Bali Hai, Moorea is marked by volcanic peaks reflected in the tranquil waters of its two signatures
Enjoy horseback riding along the beach or into the interior, hiking up to a hidden waterfall or a visit to the Belvedere viewpoint. The lagoons offer snorkeling, scuba diving, glass bottom boat via a semi-submersible, para-sailing and jet skis. Or sail on board the 110 Felia Ura based in Opunohu Bay. One unique adventure allows you to step back into history with a hard-hat dive.
While on the island, be sure to visit one of our favorite shops. Island Fashions, owned by Ron Hall. Originally from Southern California, he first sailed to the islands from Hawaii in 1974 and now makes Cook's Bay his home.
In addition to several very good restaurants worth visiting, if you time on Moorea permits, you should plan to experience a Tahitian "tamaaraa" with food cooked in the traditional "himaa", a pit filled with heated volcanic stones. Dancers from one of the local villages will then entertain you with the songs and dances that have helped make Tahiti famous. This fun-filled feast can be enjoyed several evenings during the week at the Tiki Village, and every Sunday at noon at the Moorea Village.
Land Activities
With its densely-vegetate peaks, deep valleys, translucent lagoons and historic sites. Moorea is an especially good place to enjoy land activities such as hiking and horseback riding. Most activities can be arranged by hotels.
Hiking Tours
Lace up your walking shoes and explore Moorea's tropical, mountainous terrain. Guided hikes provide visitors with an aerobically sound way of discovering the island. Tour the rainforest at Le Col des Trois Cocotiers (Pass of the Three Coconut Trees), Vaiare, Paopao, Afareaitu Waterfall and majestic Mount Rotui.
Horseback Excursion
Many of Moorea's natural wonders can be enjoyed on horseback. Ride through the magnificent Teacara Valley, or take a guided excursion along the island's white sand beaches. Visitors can even snap pictures of Moorea's incredible vistas.
Water Activities
Enveloped by a lagoon and rimmed by the expansive blue sea, Moorea is an aquatic paradise. All the more reason for you to explore the many water activities available on the island. Paddle an outrigger canoe, charter a sailboat or embark on a deep-sea fishing expedition. If you've got the time, we've got the activity. Most activities can be arranged by hotels.
Deep Sea Fishing
Witness the undersea wonders of Moorea with a deep-sea fishing expedition. Half and full day excursions are available, as well as trolling offshore Moorea. Picnic and drinks are often included in expedition deals.
Lagoon Excursions
The opalescent lagoons surrounding Moorea are perfect for jet skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, water skiing and windsurfing. Visitors can hand-feed fish from a glass bottom boat, or ride an outrigger canoe or catamaran.
Moorea Lagoon Beach, Temae Beach & Villa Faimano
These three beaches offer exquisite vistas, plenty of swaying palms, gentle surf and prime swimming and snorkeling. Need we say more?
Parasailing
Moorea has always provided visitors with a natural high, but parasailing les you soar to literal new heights. Pulled by a 28 ft. boat, you can ascend as high as 300 feet over Moorea's glistening lagoon.
Sailboat
Charter a boat and sail the translucent bays and lagoons around Moorea. Visitors can swim or snorkel in the island's protected waters. Outer island charters and sunset cruises are also available.
Scuba Diving
Some of the finest diving in the world can be found at Moorea - year round. The abundant flora and fauna include reef sharks, moray eels, huge Napoleon wrasses and triggerfish. And with more than 20 dive sites from which to choose, divers of any experience level can find a perfect spot.
Snorkeling
Because of the lack of strong currents, the waters off of Moorea are superb for both experienced and beginning snorkelers. The most popular underwater activities here are fish and shark feeding.
Submarine Excursions
Indulge your inner explorer and take in a Moorean submarine excursion. Plunge as low as 200 feet deep and marvel at the island's undersea flora and fauna.
Tropical Aquarium Center
The highly rated aquarium features a rainbow-assortment of tropical fish. Guests can also visit a pearl farm along the lagoon.
Sites To See
For centuries, Moorea has been a source of ancient artifacts. On this unique island, the historic and the contemporary blend in rapturous harmony.
Chez Pauline
Old Polynesian charm blends with quaint European style at this curious guesthouse. Chez Pauline is a great place to purchase souvenirs and relics, including grinding stones, prehistoric stone tikis and wooden artifacts culled from around Moorea's Afareaitu Village.
Haapiti Village
Seemingly oblivious to the ravages of modernization, this rural community is notable for its wooden homes, hibiscus bushes and modest churches. A leisurely village that affords visitors a glimpse of the old Moorea.
Kellum Garden Stop
This historic homestead was built in 1925 by an American family, and has since become a curious piece of Moorean history. Located at the base of Mount Rotui, the farmhouse-style Kellum Stop is notable for its variety of plants and flowers, not to mention its largely unspoiled, "old world" charm.
Le Belvedere Lookout Point
Perhaps Moorea's most spectacular scenic overlook, Belvedere Lookout Point provided the setting for the film saga, "Return of the Bounty," featuring Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins. As the locals will tell you, the Point offers an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the Opunohu Valley. From your perch on the crater's ridge, you will enjoy a superlative vista of the Cook and Opunohu bays.
Marae Nuurau
Situated in rural Varari, the Polynesian temple known as Marae Nuurau features gorgeous walls made of coral.
Opuhi Plantation
Plant enthusiasts will surely want to visit this botanical garden/plantation. Owner Alex Du Prel grows a vast assortment of exotic crops, including breadfruit, ginger, mango and vanilla. Trivia fans, take note: Du Prel formerly managed Marlon Brando's property on Tetiaroa.
Paopao & Opunohu Valleys
No visit to Moorea would be complete without stops at these adjoined sites. The Opunohu Valley has yielded many ancient remnants over the years, most notably the stone "marae" temples and archery platforms, which were used by Polynesian royalty in pre-Christian days (archery was a sacred sport in ancient Tahiti). Start your excursion by hiking through the Paopao Valley, and conclude your journey in Opunohu Bay.
Papetoai Village
History buffs will want to make a stop at the historic octagonal church located in the northern coastal village of Papetoai. Established by the London Missionary Society in 1822, the church is the oldest European building in use in the South Pacific.
Tiki Theatre Village
Unlike many of Moorea's authentic historical sites, Tiki Village is actually a recreation of a pre-colonial Tahitian village. A massive tiki-like sculpture greets visitors at the entrance. The Tiki Theatre Village dance troupe performs four times weekly, and their kinetic shows must be seen to be believed.
Nightlife
Unlike its hard-parting big brother Paoeete, Moorea eases into nighttime like a cavalier might ease into him smoking jacket. Indeed, once the sun sinks in Moorea, the atmosphere becomes laid back and relaxed. Moorea nightlife centers around cultural and social activities. Visitors can take in a dance performance at the Tiki Theatre Village.
Food
Ladies and Gentlemen start your appetites! Moorea has plenty of sumptuous food to match its exciting tropical surroundings. Whether your tastes lean toward Polynesian cuisine and exotic seafood, or to traditional western staples like burgers and pizza, Moorea's chefs are anxious to serve you.
Les Roulottes
These colorful food-vans are legendary around Moorea for good reason Les Roulottes provide delectable, fast food at reasonable prices. It's a Moorean custom for the locals to mingle with visitors at the various Les Roulottes around the island. Among the items featured on the Les Roulottes menu: Barbeque steaks, chicken, pizza and shish-kabob, as well as tempting desserts and crepes.
Restaurants
If you're fed up with the steak and potatoes routine, break the habit at Moorea's diverse and exciting restaurants and grocers. Continental is the keyword, here, with plenty of patisseries, brasseries and seafood eateries to serve you. You've never tasted French, Italian or Chinese cuisine like they serve on Moorea. The island's chefs cook with decidedly Polynesian passion and flair.
Groceries
Moorea's grocers stock a host of exotic fresh fish, meats, produce and spices, so feel free to cook up you Polynesian-style dishes. The open-air public market in Paopao Village offers a fine variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Outdoor Cafes
Surf, fine food and convivial atmosphere make for an unbeatable combination, and Moorea servers up all three on a daily basis. The island has several beachfront cafes where you can relax and enjoy the fine cuisine of Moorea.
Moorea Beachcomber Parkroyal
Moorea Beachcomber Parkroyal offers a choice of air-conditioned rooms or traditional garden, beachfront and over-water bungalows. There is a swimming pool, two tennis courts, two restaurants. A Wellness Spa and Massage Center operating within the hotel. Complimentary activities include tennis, use of outrigger canoes and snorkeling equipment.
Dolphin encounters in the lagoon near the over water bungalows, water skiing, para-sailing 500 feet above the lagoon, and exciting lagoon excursions on jet skis can be arranged through the hotel's activities desk.
"Bathy's Club", Tahiti's only 5 star PADI Dive Center, can accommodate both guests of the hotel and divers from outside as well. Honeymooners will be presented with a floral bouquet in their room plus on your second night- a pareu for the bride and a t-shirt for the groom.
If your stay is in one of the Moorea Beachcomber's over-water bungalows for 5 or more nights, why not indulge yourself with breakfast in bed brought to your door by outrigger canoe? This service is complimentary on the morning of your choice (weather permitting).
