By air
Faa'a International (PPT), ~5 km to the Papeete ferry, then ~40 min by boat
Australia & New Zealand · French Polynesia
Moorea, French Polynesia
Green peaks and quiet bays a ferry ride from Tahiti
Getting there
Best time to visit
May to October — drier and sunnier
Don't miss
The Belvedere Lookout
Cook's Bay
Temae Beach
The Opunohu Valley marae
Things to do
Lagoon snorkelling
Dolphin and whale trips in season
Valley hikes
Pineapple plantation drives
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Daniel Julie · CC BY 2.0
What to pack
Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, hiking shoes
A quieter corner
The old stone marae in the Opunohu Valley
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Moorea?
May to October — drier and sunnier. What to pack: Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, hiking shoes.
How do I get to Moorea?
Fly into Faa'a International (PPT), ~5 km to the Papeete ferry, then ~40 min by boat.
What is there to do in Moorea?
Lagoon snorkelling, dolphin and whale trips in season, valley hikes, pineapple plantation drives. A quieter find: The old stone marae in the Opunohu Valley.
What should I eat in Moorea?
Poisson cru, fresh pineapple and grilled fish at roadside snack bars.
About Moorea
- Island
- Mountains
Where it is
Moorea is a heart-shaped volcanic island in French Polynesia, about 17 km north-west of Tahiti across the Sea of the Moon.
History
Polynesian communities built stone marae temples in Moorea's valleys long before European contact. James Cook visited in 1777, and missionaries arrived in the early 19th century. Pineapple and vanilla farming shaped the island before tourism grew.
People
Moorea's residents speak Tahitian and French and live mostly in villages around the coastal road, with many commuting by ferry to Tahiti.
Known for
- Jagged volcanic peaks
- Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay
- Pineapple plantations
- Snorkelling with rays
Did you know?
Despite its name, Cook's Bay is not where James Cook anchored; he used neighbouring Opunohu Bay.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.