This Tahiti Travel and Hotel Guide provides extensive vacation information on Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and Huahine to help you decide what islands, hotels and resorts are right for your honeymoon or vacation to Tahiti and French Polynesia
The Islands | French Polynesia

MOOREA

 

Less than 10 minutes away from Tahiti by Air Moorea (every 1/2 hour, about US$ 50 one way) or less than one hour by ferry are the deep, spectacular bays and white sand beaches of Moorea.

The craggy volcanic peaks, reflected in the tranquil waters of Cook's Bay and Oponohu Bay, rise like a shark's jaw from the island's basaltic base. The lush mountain slopes are covered with rain forest or pineapple plantations, and white sand beaches border crystalline lagoons.

Upon your arrival at the ferry terminal or at the small airport you can rent a car or a scooter , or take the local public transport, the "truck" to take you to your destination.

Attractions:
Only 40 miles around on a well paved road along the shore, this dramatic and lush island can easily be circled by car, scooter or on bicycle for the more physically inclined.

The Belvedere Lookout is probably one of the most spectacular lookout in the world. Located between Cook's and Oponohu Bay in the lush interior of the island, the Belvedere is a must for all visitors. Picture taking is best in the morning before 10 am when the sun is behind you. Access is easy ,either form Cook's or Oponohu Bay. There is a small sign on the road.
In the village of Afareaitu there is an access road the waterfall, which may be more or less dramatic depending on the recent rainfall. Access is possible with a 4 wheel drive only, and we recommend using one of the local 4x4 excursions.

You can go on a whale and dolphin watch departing daily with marine biologist Michael Poole. Ask at you hotel desk.
The best ancient temple ( Marae) can be seen on the way up to the Belvedere. It is not a structure but flat coral slabs forming a sort of enclosure

All beaches are public, but the best one is 1/4 of a mile down a dirt road off the main road between the Sofitel Ia Ora and the airport gas station

There is no town to speak-of on Moorea, but you will find a few areas along the road with clusters of shops selling miscellaneous goods, local crafts and colorful hand printed fabrics (pareos).

A few black pearl shops can be found on the island, but we recommend Island Fashion Black Pearls near Cook's Bay. It is run by Ron Hall, a friendly American expatriates who knows his stuff and offers a good selection of quality pearls at very competitive prices.

The Main Hotels:

- The Sofitel Moorea Resort recently reopened as a brand new resort. Now the best property in Moorea.

- The Moore Intercontinental Resort and Spa is on a spacious and lush property, offering A/C room as well as upscale private bungalows sprinkled in the colorful tropical garden and along the lagoon. There's a large pool, 2 restaurants, 2 bars and a spa, diving center as well as many activity options.

- The Sheraton Moorea Lagoon offers 106 rooms including 56 overwater bungalows, with all the expected amenities. There are also 2 restaurants, 2 bars and a small spa. Usual facilities and activities are available. Nice bungalow decor, very good good snorkeling.

- The Moorea Pearl Resort opened in Oct. 2002 on the location of the old Bali Hai. Offers a variety of bungalows as well as A/C rooms. A four star resort.


There are a few "budget" hotels lagoon-side such as Les Tipaniers, Hibiscus, Kaveka offering basic but fair accommodation in small to medium size bungalows located on good beaches.

There are also some excellent restaurants sprinkled in different areas of Moorea (see list below). Many will do pick-up and drop off for a small fee.

Moorea's loveliest beaches are located between the Moorea Village and the Hotel Beachcomber, as well as near the Sofitel Ia Ora (between the airport and the boat terminal) .

Every kind of water activities and excursions is available on Moorea, as well as land based activities and sports (no golf, only in Tahiti).

Moorea is a must, if only for a day's visit, and is even better if you can heed her special call for a longer stay.

Links:
TRAVEL PACKAGES
MAP OF MOOREA
TOURIST OFFICE
AIR TRANSPORTATION
RESORT HOTELS
FERRY BOAT SERVICE
  BUS SERVICE
  TOUR BY TAXI
  CAR RENTALS
RESTAURANT GUIDE
SIGHTSEEING TOURS
  SMALL HOTELS
  FAMILY LODGING
  CAMPING

Basic facts:
• Moorea lies 15 km northwest of Papeete.
• Population 8881 inhabitants.
• Post office, hospital, infirmary, hotels, private lodgings, car rentals, all waters sports, dolphinarium, aquarium, mountain safari, traditional weddings.
• ROTO NUl (Belvedere) is a scenic viewpoint with panoramic view of Cook's and Opunohu bays. (see QTVR panorama).
• PAOPAO is an open air market and church with famous painted murals.
• PAPETOAI: old Protestant church
• Access by daily ferry service between Moorea and Papeete in 35 min to 55 min by ferry.
Regular flights and air-shuttle from Tahiti-Faaa Airport (8 min. flight).



The Belvedere

Best of Moorea

Restaurants:
Te Honu Iti - up scale, expensive, romantic, one of the nicest places on Moorea. Ask for a table by the railing so you can watch and feed the fish.
Alfredo’s - nice ambiance, good food, better than most in service.
Le Bateau (the Floating Boat) – located in front of the Linareva Hotel in Haapiti, nice ambiance, small and quaint, good food, expensive, look out for the killer drinks, two rounds and you’re three sheets into the wind!
Le Nouveau Monde - at Cook’s Bay, new management, rated highly by the locals.
Le Mahogany - nice ambiance, very good French, Tahitian and Chinese food.
Chez Michelle - at Cook’s Bay, next to the bridge, small place, Internet access available, good food with reasonable prices.
Chez Capo - located in Moorea Airport, nice place, very good Polynesian specialty food.
Mayflower – Very good French Food, friendly staff, try the Curry Shrimp
Le Cocotier - excellent French Food.
Aito - good fish house
Le Plantation - very nice, tropical plantation type ambiance.
Le Sud - no details
Le Pecheur - on Cooks Bay, no other details
Les Tipaniers - nice place, good food.
Sheraton Moorea BBQ - excellent food, very nice time.
Tortuga’s – a good Pizza and Itallian seafood place, located n Haapiti between the Hibiscus and Moorea Village hotels.
Le Motu Pizza - across from Club Med, excellent sandwiches and burgers.
Allo’s Pizza - near Club Bali Hai, will deliver to most hotels.
Blue Pineapple (L’ananas bleu) - located at the Club Bali Hai on Cook’s Bay, serves breakfast and lunch, great hamburgers and fresh seafood.
Royal Chicken - roulotte on the road between the Hibiscus and Moorea Village for some of the best rotisserie chicken ever, call for take out/pickup.
Miss Pizza – great hamburgers, as well as pizza, inexpensive, across from ICB
La Licorne d'Or (Gold Unicorn) - Might be the finest on Moorea and certainly the prettiest. A ways south of the Sheraton, but they pick up and deliver (in an ancient Fiat).
Roulotte Chez Mariana - in Maharepa. It's in the magasin parking lot right next to Le Mahogany. She's not there Mondays and Tuesdays. Best Chao men, poisson cru, and boeuf au legumes anywhere on the island.
Roulotte Tavairai - in Maharepa. Look for the christmas lights and it has a semi permanent hut where you eat. Excellent chao men and poisson cru.
Roulotte in Pao Pao - at the mouth of Opunohu bay as you are coming from CBH. It's between the Sheraton and the sailing school. It's also semi permanent, with a very small trailer and a separate cooking area. It has separate toilettes too. It's easiest to find if you look for the two 10x20 portable tents (car type) set up to shelter you as you eat. Excellent food.
Jules and Claudine Roulotte - at the wharf in Pao Pao. This is in walking distance from Club Bali Hai, before the supermarche. It has lots of bright yellow tables and chairs to eat at.
Roulotte Papetoai - near the magasin in the main part of the village.
Pizza Daniel - near marker 34, close to Haapiti, very unique setting and great pizza.

Activities:
Shark and Ray Feeding – Moorea Campground Shark and Ray Feeding Tour (Location on map: PK 27.5, Phone: 56 14 42) which you can book directly. The morning tour runs from 10:00 – 1:00pm, and the afternoon runs from 2:00 – 5:00pm. Visitors are charged 2000 CFP or about $20.00. The Campground is about 50 yards from Moorea Village. Bring your own mask and snorkel, and beer or soft drinks. Great value for the money.
4x4 Island Tour- Albert Tours among others.
The Dolphin Experience - at the IC Beachcomber, three levels of price. Be sure and make a reservation in advance.
Boat rentals – Moorea Loca Boat, no permit required, located at the "Les Tipaniers" hotel - Phone 78 13 39
Whale & Dolphin viewing – Dr. Poole’s Whale & Dolphin Watch
Hard Hat Diving - Aqua Blue excursion. If you don't scuba dive but would like a similar experience this excursion is great. Put on a hard hat helmet and walk on the lagoon floor, lots of fun, easy, and no risk.

Shopping:
Black Pearls - Island Fashion Black Pearls   just before Cook's Bay (pick-up available - Phone 56 11 06)
Belevedere Lookout - general store within walking distance of lookout.
Pineapple Distillery - watch your drinking, particularly in the afternoon as they have sobriety stops around the Island.
Le Petit Village - near Intercontinental, small shopping center with a Grocery Store, Souvenir Shops, Bank and Internet access.
Magasin Vaiterua Market - take a right out of the Sheraton and walk about 15 mins., small store with breads, juices and beer. Also another store about 15 mins. walk to the right out of the Sheraton, good meat and cheese selection.
Socredo Shopping Center - located in Maharepa, many shops, restaurants, etc.
Raehau Shopping Center - located in Maharepa as well.
Mereat' Art - Little roadside boutique at PK 13.9, to the left about 200m when exiting the Sheraton grounds

Rent a car and take a cruise around the Island, many shops and places to stop, great views around every corner. Also, lots of beaches to stop at and take a snorkel or a dip.

If you want to phone to Moorea, the country code is 689, before the numbers given here (there is no city code - yet..).
VAIARE is the village at the ferry terminal.
TEMAE is Moorea airport.

TOURIST OFFICE
(Comité du Tourisme)

Aeroport de Temae
(Moorea Airport)- Tel./ Fax 56.29.09

Centre commercial Le Petit village Haapiti

AIR TRANSPORTATION

Regular airline service:

AIR MOOREA - Faaa Airport - Res. Tahiti Tel. 86.41.41
Res. Moorea - Tel. 56.10.34 / Fax. 86.42.99
Every 1/2 hour.

Charter Flights:

AIR MOOREA - Faaa Airport - Tel. 86.40.11 Fax 86.40.69

WAN AIR - Faaa Airport - Tel. 83.57.36
Fax. 85.18.31/85.55.56

AIR OCEANIA TAHITI - Faaa Airport Tel. 82. 10. 47 Fax. 82. 10.34

Helicopter service:
HELl PACIFIC - Faaa Airport - Tel. 85.68.00 Fax. 85.68.08

FERRY BOAT SERVICE
from Papeete

Mon. to Fri., FAST ferries leave Papeete at: 7 am, 9 am, 12 pm, 4 pm, 5.25 pm

Sat: 7.10 am, 9.10am, 12.10pm, 2 pm, 4 pm

Sun: 7.25 am, 9.10 am, 3.30pm, 5 pm, 6.15 pm



AREMITI II:
Boulevard Pomare PPT - Res. Tahiti Tel. 42.88.88
Res. Moorea - Tel. 56.31.10 - Fax 42.88.88

TAMAHINE MOOREA II / TAMARIl MOOREA 8 H
Boulevard Pomare PPT - Res. Tahiti Tel. 43.76.50
Res. Moorea Tel. 56.30.16/Fax. 42.10.49

BUS SERVICE AT FERRIES ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

GIE MOOREA NUl TRANSPORTS
Tel. 56.12.54
(by traditionnal "Le Truck")

AROUND THE ISLAND
TOUR BY TAXI

From Moorea Airport -TeI. 56. 10.18
Ferry Terminal (Vaiare) - Tel. 56.33.10

CAR RENTALS

EUROPCAR - Moorea Airport - TeI. 56.41.08
Haapiti - Tel. 56.34.00 / Fax. 56.35.05
Ferry Terminal - Tel. 56.28.64
HoteI Moorea Beachcomber Parkroyal - Tel. 56.30.97

ALBERT RENT-A-CAR
Moorea Airport - TeI. 56.13.53/ Fax. 56.40.58
Pao Pao - Tel. 56.19.28
Maharepa Tel. 56.30.58 - Haapiti - Tel 56.33.75

PACIFICAR
Moorea Airport- TeI. 56.11.03 - Fax. 56.35.55
Ferry Terminal - Tel. 56.16.02
Haapiti - TeI. 56.23.03

AVIS RENT-A-CAR - Moorea Airport -Tel. 56.12.48
Ferry Terminal - Tel. 56.12.58
Hotel Bali Hal - Tel. 56.13.58

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

ALBERT TRANSPORTS - Pao Pao - Tel. 56.13.53/ 56.19.28/ Fax 56.10.42
BENJAMIN TRANSPORTS - Moorea Airport
Tel. 56.11.69/56.26.50/ Fax. 56.28.96

RESORTS and HOTELS

For a complete description - with photos - of our selection of hotels, please go to our Hotel Page.

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Most restaurants will have a pick-up service from your hotel on request.


French Cuisine/Tahitian
Tiki Theater Village, Haapiti
Tel. (689) 56. 24. 15 Lunch/Dinner/Bar/Res./Continental Cuisine/French Specialities. Closed Monday. Amex/Visa/Master cards. Tahitian dance and music during Lunch and dinner .
L'AVENTURE
Haapiti - Tel. (689) 56. 23. 36
Lunch/Dinner Closed Monday and
Tuesday noon.
Amex/ Visa/Master cards.
TROPICAL ICEBERG
Le Petit Village, Haapiti
Tel. (689) 56. 29. 53
Brakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Bar.
Open every day. Visa/Master cards.
CHEZ SERGE
(Seafood) Papetoai.
Tel. (689) 56. 13. 17
Lunch/Dinner. Open every day.
Visa/Master/Amex cards.
LE PECHEUR
Maharepa
Tel (689) 56. 36. 12
Lunch/Dinner. Open every day.
Visa/Master cards.
LE CAPRICE DES ILES
Cook's Bay - Tel. (689) 56.44. 24
Lunch/Dinner. Open every day. All cards.
LAGOON CAFE
Haapiti - Across from Club Med
Tel. (689) 56. 39. 41
Lunch/Dinner. Closed Sun.
Visa/Master/Amex cards.

LINAREVA
Tel: (689) 56 15 35
Brakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Bar.
Open every day. Visa/Master cards.

LA PLANTATION
Across Club Med
Tel:(689)56 45 10

MAHOGANY
Near Bali Hai
Lunch/Dinner
Closed Wed.
(689)56.39.70

LE COCOTIER
Near Bali Hai
Lunch/Dinner
Closed Sun.
(689)56.12.10

Chinese Cuisine
CHEZ JEAN-PIERRE
Cook's bay
Tel. (689) 56. 18. 51
Lunch/Dinner. Closed Wednesday.
Master/Visa cards.

Italian Cuisine
ALFREDO'S
Cook's Bay
Tel (689) 56. 17. 71
Lunch/Dinner. Closed Sunday.
Visa/Master cards.
LES TIPANIERS
Hotel Les Tipaniers, Haapiti
Tel. (689) 56. 12. 67 Lunch/Dinner/Bar/Res.
Open every day. All cards.

Local Style
CHEZ COCO KECK
Papetoai
Tel. (689) 56.10. 03
Res./Tahitian feast tama' ara"
Open Sunday noon only. No cards.
CHEZ GENDRON
Hotel Moorea Village
Tel. (689) 56. 10. 02
Res./Tahitian feast "tama' ara" Sunday
noon only/Res. No cards.
CHEZ PAULINE
Afarraito
Tel. (689) 56.11. 26
Lunch/Dinner/Res. Open every day.
No cards.

NON CLASSIFIED
SMALL HOTELS

MOTEL ALBERT - Pac Pao. TeI./Fax. 56.12.76
CHEZ BILLY RUTA - Haapiti. Tel. 56.12.54

LODGING
WITH PRIVATE FAMILIES

FARE MATOTEA - Haapiti - Tel. 56.14.36
CHEZ PAULINE - Afareaitu - TeI. 56.11.26
FARE MANUlA - Haapiti - TeI. 56.26.17
VILLAGE FAIMANO - Papetoal
TeI. 56.10.20 Fax. 56.36.47
CHEZ DINA - Pihaena - Tel. 56.10.39
CHEZ FRANCINE - Papetoai -Tel. 56.13.24
CHEZ NANI - Pihaena - Tel. 56.19.99
FARE AUTI URA - Haapiti - Tel. 56.1447/Fax. 56.30.22

CAMPING

CHEZ NELSON ET JOSIANE - Haapiti - Tel. 56.15.18
7 "fares", 2 dormitories and 1 campground near beach. Restaurant/private or communal kitchen/private or communal bathroom w. cold water.Linen furnished. No cards


MOOREA CAMPING - Haapiti
Tel. 56.14.47/ Fax. 56.30.22
6"fares", 9 rooms, 1 dormitories and 1 campground near beach. Communal kitchen/private or communal bathroom w. cold water. Linen furnished. No cards


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