Moorea Travel Recommendations: Enjoy Paradise

Dreaming of jagged peaks, turquoise lagoons, and that laid-back island energy? Moorea travel is the kind of experience that feels almost too good to be real — until you’re actually cruising through the warm breeze with a pineapple in one hand and a snorkel in the other.

This post covers everything you need to plan your trip to Moorea — including how to get there, where to stay, and the best activities to make the most of your island time.

Getting to Moorea:

The best time to swim with humpback whales in Moorea is from mid-August to late October. This is the only time that there are humpback whales in Moorea.

  1. Fly to Tahiti (FAAA – Airport Code: PPT). Air Tahiti Nui is the main international carrier (not be confused with Air Tahiti which is the domestic airline within French Polynesia).
  2. If you land in the morning you can head straight to Moorea, but if you land late, you will need to book accommodation for the night. I usually use points and stay at the Hilton Tahiti. There’s no beach, but it has a large pool with a swim up bar and a nice view of Moorea. There are also local hotels that would work. I find Airbnbs challenging for a 1 night stay with a late checkin because they can be hard to find in the dark and it may be difficult to coordinate a ride to the ferry/back to the airport the next day.
  3. You can get to Moorea 2 ways: Fly Air Tahiti ~ 10 minutes ($100 ish) or take the ferry. There are multiple ferry companies and they depart regularly to Moorea from the ferry terminal. The ferry terminal is a +/- 25 minute taxi ride from the airport.

Where to Stay on Moorea

There are 2 big considerations for your Moorea travel – (1) how much you want to spend and (2) how you want to get around (if at all).

There are 3 choices:

  1. Big resort (expensive),
  2. local hotel (less expensive), and
  3. airbnb (big range).

Taxis are limited; here are some questions to ask yourself:

Does my whale swimming.activity operator offer pick up/drop off?

Does my hotel have food options for all my meals?

Are there things on the island I want to see outside of the hotel/whale swim?

If you choose to stay at an airbnb, a rental car will be essential so that you can get food and other items, but if you stay at a resort or a hotel with a restaurant, then a rental car may not be necessary. Moorea is not walkable, but it is safe. I’ve seen people hitchhiking and it would be possible to use a bicycle.

Whale Swims (and Other Moorea Travel Activities)

  1. Whale Swims: I like Moorea Moana Tours, Pacifik Attitude, and Moorea Reo Tours for whale swims. Here’s my guide on what to expect on the whale swims.
  2. Snorkeling: The whale swim will include a short swim in the lagoon, but it’s also a popular activity on its own.
  3. Scuba Diving: I have not yet been scuba diving in Moorea, but am planning to next trip.
  4. Sunset Catamaran Cruise: Iconic.
  5. 4×4 Tour: Also great for kids.

Because it’s easy to reach, easy to explore, and absolutely stunning. Whether you’re after luxury, wildlife, or just a place to float in turquoise bliss, Moorea delivers in a big way.

Moorea travel is the kind of soul-reset you didn’t know you needed — until you’re there, salty and smiling, with sand in your hair and a stingray nuzzling your toes.

Similar Posts