12 Best Things to do in Moorea, French Polynesia

Planning a trip to Moorea and wondering what to do? You’re in the right place!

Moorea, French Polynesia… volcanic mountains, sandy beaches, hiking trails, and rainforests. Seriously, what’s not to love about this Pacific Ocean island? You can spend your days in the sand, snorkeling and cruising around the lagoon, venture off to the mountains, or just find a good beachfront spot to eat and enjoy the views. There’s a little bit of everything here!

So, what should you actually put on your list? That’s where we come in! We’ve picked 12 things we really liked, including some we did ourselves, from snorkeling and sunset cruises to quad adventures and, of course, plenty of good food. Ready? Let’s go!

Moorea at a Glance

Moorea is a small island, and you can drive around the entire coastal road in just a few hours, but there are a few things worth knowing before you go. 

Check your phone plan before you arrive. French Polynesia isn’t covered by EU roaming rules, so don’t assume your regular European data plan will work without extra charges. If roaming is expensive, look into getting an eSIM or local SIM before you arrive.

Rent a car or a scooter: You’ll want the freedom to explore Moorea at your own pace when you’re not on an excursion. There are limited rental vehicles on a relatively small island, so plan in advance, especially during the busy season.

Pack a light rain jacket: Moorea gets quick tropical showers, even when it doesn’t look like it will rain or the rest of your day is sunny. They usually don’t last long, but you’ll be glad you have one when a shower comes out of nowhere.

Bring water shoes: I didn’t think we’d need them either, but they’re useful for rocky lagoon areas, snorkeling spots, and beaches where the bottom isn’t soft sand. Trust me, getting into the water is a lot easier and safer when you’re not trying to walk over sharp rocks barefoot.

How We Would Spend Three Days in Moorea

Day 1: Start bright and early with a snorkeling and sailing adventure in one of Moorea’s beautiful lagoons, then grab a quick lunch from a food truck before hitting the beach. Wrap up the day with a delicious dinner at one of the island’s favorite local spots. 

Day 2: Hit the road on a 4WD, checking off Moorea’s highlights along the way, then stop for lunch at a lovely diner before hopping on a romantic sunset catamaran cruise. End your day with dinner at a popular local restaurant. 

Day 3: Reserve the morning for water activities, from jet skiing and sea scooter snorkeling to paddling in a transparent kayak, then drive around the entire island exploring at your own pace. End your trip with a relaxed dinner at a modern restaurant on the water. 

Things to do in Moorea

1. Explore Moorea’s mountains, valleys, and viewpoints by 4WD

If you love exploring, Moorea won’t disappoint! You’re surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, lush valleys, farms, and a TON of viewpoints, so there’s a lot to see beyond the beaches. This half-day 4WD tour is a fun way to get off the beaten path without having to drive or hike to all these spots yourself.

You’ll head off-road through the valleys and up some pretty bumpy trails, stopping at Magic Mountain and Belvedere Lookout for some seriously good views. Belvedere can get busy, but seeing Cook’s and Ōpūnohu Bays from up there was totally worth it.

From there, we stopped at a local spot for some tropical fruit and homemade jams. Everything was super tasty, and you can buy whatever your heart desires. Next up was a pineapple farm, where we learned a little about how pineapples are grown on the island. The final stop was a local distillery at Mt. Rotui for mojito and Mai Tai tastings before heading back. 

It’s definitely a bumpy ride in places, but the seats are comfortable, and the guides are friendly and know their stuff. We booked this tour on our first day here, and honestly, being able to see so much of the island without driving ourselves was a great way to start the trip. 

2. Spend the day swimming and snorkeling

A day on the water in Moorea is a day well spent! So, if swimming, snorkeling, and cruising around Moorea’s lagoon sounds like your kind of day, this 6-hour tour is a good one to put on your list. We did it ourselves and loved the small group on a traditional Polynesian outrigger canoe.

Our driver and guide, Wilfred, picked us up and took us past the mountains around Cook’s and Ōpūnohu Bay before heading into the lagoon. First up were the stingrays and blacktip reef sharks. The water was so clear that we could see loads of fish swimming around us. I actually touched a stingray. It was absolutely thrilling!

After all that swimming, we were ready for lunch! The boat took us to a tiny motu, where we learned how to open a coconut and tried fresh shaved coconut, coconut water, and fresh-squeezed coconut milk. Then we watched the poisson cru being prepared. There was also a full barbecue if poisson cru isn’t your thing, but honestly, give it a try. It was stellar, and I’m not even a big fish person!

We also learned how to make hats out of palm leaves and even how to tie a sarong. Wilfred made sure everyone was having fun. He was so kind and attentive, and somehow managed to entertain us, run the boat, drive, and even play the ukulele! After lunch, he brought us back to our hotel.

We loved every second of this tour! Snorkel gear is included, and pickup and drop-off are available at select hotels, so there’s not much you need to worry about.

3. Watch the sunset on a catamaran cruise

If there’s one romantic thing I’d do on a Moorea trip, it’s this sunset catamaran cruise. Don’t overthink it! You’re out on the water for a couple of hours, and you still have enough time to do something else.

After we were picked up from our hotel, we drove to the marina near Mareto Public Beach and boarded Taboo, our catamaran, and set sail toward Cook’s Bay and through the barrier reef. The water was calm, and there was just enough breeze to make the sailing comfortable.

You’ll sail into two different coves and, if you’re lucky like we were, a pod of spinner dolphins might show up right next to the boat. They were swimming alongside us, which was probably my favorite part. We also spotted turtles and flying fish! You never know what you’ll see out there, but we definitely got lucky that afternoon.

Captain Neil was super friendly and kept us entertained with stories and facts about Moorea while making cocktails. His Mai Tai was excellent! 

There were only six of us on the boat, so there was plenty of room, and it never felt crowded. Towards the end, our captain positioned Taboo for the sunset, and we sat with our drinks watching the sun go down. For me, the dolphins were the highlight, although the small group certainly added to the experience.

Pickup and drop-off around Moorea are available for an additional fee. Otherwise, you can meet the boat at the Opunohu marina.

Related Read: Looking for a memorable experience? Check out our guide on the best overwater bungalows in Moorea for world-class views, right from your bed!

4. Relax on Moorea’s postcard-perfect Temae Beach 

Temae Beach is where you go when you want a beach day without booking an excursion or spending much money. It’s free to visit, and the setting is exactly what you hope for when you come to Moorea: soft white sand, clear turquoise water, a beach hut bar and coconut palms. And on a clear day, you can see Tahiti across the water!

Here you can swim, walk along the beach, take great photos, or just find a spot and enjoy the lagoon from shore. The best time to be here is early in the morning, when the beach is quieter. Just don’t forget to bring water, snacks, a towel, and reef-safe sunscreen. Water shoes are also a good idea if you’re planning on spending more time in the water. 

Temae is on the eastern side of the island, close to To’atea Lookout, so it’s easy to visit both in the same day. Stop at the lookout first, then head down to the beach and cool off in the lagoon. You will love it! 

So, if you have a free morning or afternoon, Temae Beach is a lovely place to spend a few hours without having to plan an entire excursion around it.

5. Cover more of the island on a quad adventure

If you want to get outdoors and see another side of French Polynesia besides the water, this ATV tour is a fun way to do it! Over three hours, we explored different parts of Moorea, drove through forests on paved and dirt trails, passed the pineapple plantations, and made our way up to the Belvedere Lookout and Magic Mountain.

Don’t worry if you’ve never ridden an ATV before! We had a safety briefing and learned how to operate the ATVs before setting off. There were a few newbies with us, and they got the hang of it very quickly.

One of our stops was at a creek where our guide, Matta, showed us the sacred eels. He even held several of them so we could pet them. I honestly didn’t expect to be sitting there petting giant eels on an ATV tour, but there we were!

We also stopped for some snacks and refreshments and had a chance to look around and do a little souvenir shopping. The jam and fruit tasting at Tasty Moorea was phenomenal. Definitely try one of their smoothies!

Magic Mountain was another highlight. The quad is probably one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to get up there without hiking. Once you reach the top, you get some pretty amazing views over Moorea.

Overall, if you’re looking for something fun to do on land, I’d say go for this one. We had such a good time!

6. Taste your way through Moorea’s street food scene

If you’re a foodie like us, you’ll love this guided food-tasting tour around Moorea! You’ll spend a few hours driving around the north side of the island, checking out local food spots and tasting delicious food as you go.

Our guide, Heimata, was a Moorea native, so he knew the island really well and had lots of stories to share about the food and culture. We made about five stops and tried all kinds of local favorites. We also learned that the food here has strong French, Chinese, and Polynesian influences.

We had a chow mein baguette, and we finally got to try fried breadfruit, which I loved. It was kind of like a French fry. But my favorite by far was the poisson cru, raw tuna with coconut milk and lime. And I am not a big fan of raw fish, let me tell you that!

Our last stop was the Rotui Juice Factory, where we sampled fresh juices and, of course, the original Tahitian Mai Tai. Now that was a good way to wrap up the tour!

Since most of the tour is spent driving, with very little walking, you don’t have to worry too much about what you wear. Just keep it comfortable, and flip-flops or sneakers are just fine. 

Overall, if you love trying local food and want to see more of Moorea while eating your way around the island, definitely give this tour a try! 

7. Hike to Three Coconuts Pass for mountain views 

If you want to swap the beach for a few adventurous hours in the mountains, the hike to Three Coconuts Pass is definitely worth checking out! Better yet, it’s free, but be prepared for a bit of strenuous hiking, as this is not an easy walk.

The trail starts near the Belvedere area and takes you deep into Moorea’s lush inland scenery. It’s 6.5 km (around 4 miles) total and takes about 3 hours. You’ll walk uphill for much of the route, with the scenery changing as you go deeper into the mountains. Once you reach the top, you’ll get some pretty amazing views across the mountains and bays, so all that uphill walking suddenly feels worth it. 

My advice: wear proper walking shoes and bring plenty of water and some energy snacks. Moorea can get hot and humid, so I’d start early in the morning rather than heading out in the middle of the day. Sunscreen is a good idea too.

I’d choose this hike if you enjoy being active or simply want to do something different from the usual lagoon activities. There’s no entrance fee, so you can add it to your itinerary without booking a tour. The easiest way to get there is to drive your rental car and park at the trailhead, but you can also arrange a taxi to pick you up and drop you off.

8. Paddle across Moorea’s lagoon in a transparent kayak 

If you want to do something a little different on the water, this transparent kayak tour is hard to beat! It’s a small-group experience, it only takes a few hours of your time, and you get in the water with sharks and stingrays! Not bad, right?

We kayaked for about 2 miles in total and stopped at a shallow spot for drinks and snacks. We had some rum with mango juice and non-alcoholic pineapple juice, plus brownies and bananas. Not going to lie, that was a pretty nice break!

After that, we headed to the area where we could jump in and swim with the sharks and stingrays. This was the best part! I thought I’d be scared, but the animals couldn’t care less that we were swimming with them. It was pretty magical seeing them in their natural habitat like that.

After we got back, we all sat under a pavilion waiting for our rides. Our guide Hugo was really nice, spoke English well, and kept the conversation going while we waited. He knew a story or two about French Polynesian culture!

I’d definitely recommend this one if you want a small-group experience where you actually get in the water rather than just looking at the marine life from the boat. The transparent kayak was fun, but swimming with the sharks and rays was definitely what I’ll remember most. I have a feeling you’ll remember it too!

9. Walk through Moorea’s history in Opunohu Valley 

If you want to spend a few hours away from the beach, head into Opunohu Valley. It’s free to visit, and the area is full of ancient stone marae, forest trails and that picture-perfect mountain scenery.

Marae were important sacred and ceremonial sites in Polynesian culture, and you can still see the stone structures and other archaeological remains around the area. Some are right along the paths, but others are a little easier to miss, so don’t rush through.

The forest is shaded, which makes this a good place to visit at any time of day. Just make sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and pack some bug spray. Oh, and definitely stick to the marked paths while you’re exploring!

This little adventure works best with a drive through Opunohu or a stop at the Belvedere area. That way, you get to see more of inland Moorea without planning a separate day around it.

Overall, if you want to see a bit more of Moorea than just the beaches and lagoon, this is an easy free stop to add to your itinerary.

10. See more of the reef on a sea scooter adventure  

If you’re ready to take snorkeling to a whole other level, this sea scooter adventure is one to try! 

I love sea scooters because you can cover more distance, dive deeper, and stay in the water longer without getting tired. 

And don’t worry if you’ve never used one before! Your guide will give you clear instructions before you get started. You’ll also have some time to practice in the shallow lagoon first. Trust me, they’re surprisingly easy to use!

Our first stop was the Coral Gardens, where we saw beautiful coral, clownfish, and a TON of tropical fish. After a short scenic boat ride, we were at the Moorea Drop-Off, where we spotted sea turtles and even a shark! 

The last stop was the Sandbank, and this was probably the best part! We got to swim with stingrays and blacktip reef sharks, and the rays followed us around during the last part of the snorkel. That was pretty amazing!

There was a videographer on board too, which was really convenient, because you can’t exactly take photos while holding onto a sea scooter. For convenience, you can request pickup from your hotel for an extra fee, or meet your guide and small group at the Sofitel Kia Ora Nautical Center. 

11. Skim over the water on a jet ski ride 

If you’re ready to get your heart racing, this three-hour jet ski tour is one to keep on your radar! It was absolutely the most fun day on the water I’ve ever had, in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.

We started by riding around Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay, with our jaws dropping at the prettiest blue water as we zigzagged across the lagoon.

Then we stopped to snorkel. We saw sharks, coral, lots of fish, and a friendly ray that seemed to know our guide, Stanley. I swear, it swam right up to him and practically hugged him! We also spotted turtles, eagle rays, and flying fish, and oh boy, what a sight! 

After the snorkeling, we got back on the jet skis and sped along the coastline. It was so much fun, and somehow the three hours just flew by. Stanley was an awesome guide. He didn’t just lead us around, but also told us about the marine life we were seeing and shared everything he knew about Moorea.

He took photos of us throughout the tour, and it was such a nice surprise to see that they were posted on Facebook and were free for us to keep!

One thing to remember: bring your own water and sunscreen because you’ll need both. And to make things a little easier, you can request pickup from your hotel for a little extra.

12. Try local flavors at Moorea Tropical Garden 

After a few days of beaches, boat trips and mountain trails, stop at Moorea Tropical Garden for a change of scenery. There’s a small entrance fee, and you can easily fit it into a morning or afternoon of exploring.

The garden has tropical plants, flowers, fruit trees and vanilla, and you can try some local products too, including homemade jams. Have a wander around, sample some of the produce and check out the views from the hillside-they make pretty great photos!

You don’t need to spend hours here. An hour or two is plenty. Just keep in mind that the road up can be steep and rough in places, so getting here is easier with a rental car or scooter.

To make this easier, I’d add it to a day when you’re already exploring this part of Moorea, rather than making a separate trip just for the garden. It’s a nice little stop between other activities, and you can try some local produce and maybe even buy some to bring home.

Related Read: Need help organizing your trip? See our 3-day Moorea itinerary, which includes many of these top activities, all planned out for you!

Where to Stay in Moorea

Now that you’ve planned out your activities, you can find the perfect place to stay! We recommend staying in Northeast Moorea, which covers Temae, Maharepa, and Cook’s Bay and makes for a convenient base.

Luxury – $$$

If you’re looking for something a little more authentic, Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea is our top pick. Located in Maharepa, this resort actually sits on the site of the very first hotel built by the “Bali Hai Boys,” making it the historic birthplace of the overwater bungalow! 

You’ll find a range of room options, with the Premium Overwater Bungalows offering direct lagoon access and private sun decks. You’ll also have access to a spa, which is always a treat!  For pricing, expect rates to start around $500 USD per night, rising to $1,000+ USD per night for premium overwater options. Check availability and book your stay here!

Mid-range – $$

If you want to stay somewhere really close to nature, Eco Lodge Village Temanoha in the Cook’s Bay area is a great option. Surrounded by mountains, it’s super peaceful and just what the doctor ordered! 

Breakfast is also delicious, and sitting by the pool with a coffee in the morning was a great way to start the day. Just keep in mind that the road up to the lodge is pretty bumpy, but it only takes around 10 minutes to get to the Paopao village.

The bungalows are open to the outside, so you’ll hear the wind, rain, animals, and the river at night, but that’s just part of the experience! Prices start at around $170 USD per night and can be booked on Booking.com.

Budget – $

Haere Mai I Te Fare is a great budget stay if you want to keep costs down without giving up that home-away-from-home feel. It’s tucked away at the end of a quiet path in the tropical forest in the Temae area, but you’re not all that isolated.  You’re still just a 5-minute drive from Moorea Temae Airport, and the Vaiare Ferry Terminal, plus Temae Public Beach, is just a 15-minute walk away.

We absolutely love the welcoming atmosphere here! You can enjoy fresh Tahitian barbecue dinners at the open-air table with the other guests, just like one big happy family. If you want a bit more privacy, you’ve also got a terrace or balcony with your room. Prices start at around $100 USD per night and can be booked on Booking.com.

Related Read: For a complete breakdown of the best areas and hotels, check out our Where to Stay in Moorea guide.

Thanks for reading!

Moorea is such a stunning island, so having a few days to pack in all of these top activities will show you the best! Whether you’re up for an adventure or want to have a relaxing and slow vacation, you can find some excellent things to do here.

Before you take off, check out the rest of our other Oceania travel guides for more recommendations, favorite tours, and helpful planning tips. And if you’re already dreaming about your next island adventure, we’ve got plenty more inspiration waiting for you below!

Where to Stay in Bora Bora: 3 Best Areas & Hotels

12 Best Resorts in the Mamanuca Islands, Fiji

12 Best Things to do in Tahiti, French Polynesia