Just one hour by ferry from Tahiti ferry terminal, Mo'orea is a very popular and beautiful Island to visit. The locals say that their water has more green in it than ones in Bora Bora.
I highly recommend visit Mo'orea, even just for a day trip.
Getting there: one hour ferry ride from Tahiti. Round trip for two was CFP7080.
Transportation: car rental from Tahiti would be the most affordable option. Car rental on the island is close to US$100 a day. It would be worth it to drive your US$50 a day car and pay US$40 for the ferry ride for the car to bring it over.
Accommodations: hotels and Airbnb
I stayed at an Airbnb near Tiki Village. It was US$100/day.
Food: Champion Foods and other supermarkets on the islands offer the most affordable options. Many stores close on Sundays.
Local fruit stands offer fresh fruits from their backyards. Avocados are very big here. My Airbnb host gave me a couple from her backyard.
Passion fruit was CFP150 for 3 and they were super sweet. Guava was CFP100 each.
For lunch, the locals highly recommended Snack Mahana. We ate lunch there almost every day. If you want shrimps, the owner recommends you come at 11 or 11:30 am. It only opens from 11 am to 3 pm. Shrimp dishes sell out quickly. They are freshly caught daily.
Activities: hiking, public beaches, snorkeling, boat tours, culture tour, self guided factory tour.
Here are some highly recommended activities.
1. Hiking
There are many mountains to climb. (1) Magic Mountain is a private property and you have to pay at the shop for admission. It’s around US$5 per person (CFP 500 each). It is a moderate difficulty level. Depends on each individual’s active level, it took me 2 hours to complete the loop. This includes time stopping to take pictures. This hike doesn’t require a local guide.
After completing the hike, you will be invited to some jam tasting at the shop. The tables are shaded under banana trees. You will also get a fruit platter.
(2) Opunohu is another popular place for hiking. There are three different types of trails that guide you from bottom to top of the mountain, around the mountain and to different peaks. You can drive to the peak and hike around the different trails or start from the bottom for advanced hikers. Hiking can be dangerous especially after the rain gets the forest slippery. Please consult the locals and proceed with caution.
2. Boat tours
We used Mo’orea Tiki Tour for a full day lunch included option. It was US$238 for two. Water changed colours into different blue and green, but always so crystal clear.
3. Tiki Village
We came to Tiki Village at 11 am on a Tuesday and just happened that there was a wedding ceremony to watch. In the evening, the buffet had over 30+ delicious local dishes prepared in traditional way. The chandeliers in the restaurants were all made by seashells into different patterns. The shows explained local traditions of preparing food and crafts, musicals and fire shows. Needless to say that it was a spectacular day indolgining into the local culture and learning about Tahitian traditions.
4. Self-guided factory tour at Manutea Tahiti - Rotui Juice Factory
If you shop at the local supermarkets in French Polynesia, you will recognize the Rotui juice brand. They are made in Mo’orea.
After the tour, you can go to the factory direct store to sample all the juices, cocktails, wine and rum.
5. Sight seeing by driving around the island
(1) Public beaches and free snorkeling
There are public beaches for pinics and free snorkeling. Relaxing by the beach and watching the sunset are perfect way to unwind.
Ta’ahiamanu Public Beach
(2) Tiki statue
(3) Toatea Lookout
Recommended intinerary:
Day 1: Hiking Magic Mountain.
Day 2: Boat tour and snorkeling.
Day 3: Tiki Village (does not open every day, need to check the latest schedules for ceremony, food offerings and show time)
Day 4: Hiking Opunohu and factory tour.
Day 5: Driving around the island for sightseeing.
Happy exploring!
Just one hour by ferry from Tahiti ferry terminal, Mo'orea is a very popular and beautiful Island to visit. The locals say that their water has more green in it than ones in Bora Bora.
I highly recommend visit Mo'orea, even just for a day trip.
Getting there: one hour ferry ride from Tahiti. Round trip for two was CFP7080.
Transportation: car rental from Tahiti would be the most affordable option. Car rental on the island is close to US$100 a day. It would be worth it to drive your US$50 a day car and pay US$40 for the ferry ride for the car to bring it over.
Accommodations: hotels and Airbnb
I stayed at an Airbnb near Tiki Village. It was US$100/day.
Food: Champion Foods and other supermarkets on the islands offer the most affordable options. Many stores close on Sundays.
Local fruit stands offer fresh fruits from their backyards. Avocados are very big here. My Airbnb host gave me a couple from her backyard.
Passion fruit was CFP150 for 3 and they were super sweet. Guava was CFP100 each.
For lunch, the locals highly recommended Snack Mahana. We ate lunch there almost every day. If you want shrimps, the owner recommends you come at 11 or 11:30 am. It only opens from 11 am to 3 pm. Shrimp dishes sell out quickly. They are freshly caught daily.
Activities: hiking, public beaches, snorkeling, boat tours, culture tour, self guided factory tour.
Here are some highly recommended activities.
1. Hiking
There are many mountains to climb. (1) Magic Mountain is a private property and you have to pay at the shop for admission. It’s around US$5 per person (CFP 500 each). It is a moderate difficulty level. Depends on each individual’s active level, it took me 2 hours to complete the loop. This includes time stopping to take pictures. This hike doesn’t require a local guide.
After completing the hike, you will be invited to some jam tasting at the shop. The tables are shaded under banana trees. You will also get a fruit platter.
(2) Opunohu is another popular place for hiking. There are three different types of trails that guide you from bottom to top of the mountain, around the mountain and to different peaks. You can drive to the peak and hike around the different trails or start from the bottom for advanced hikers. Hiking can be dangerous especially after the rain gets the forest slippery. Please consult the locals and proceed with caution.
2. Boat tours
We used Mo’orea Tiki Tour for a full day lunch included option. It was US$238 for two. Water changed colours into different blue and green, but always so crystal clear.
3. Tiki Village
We came to Tiki Village at 11 am on a Tuesday and just happened that there was a wedding ceremony to watch. In the evening, the buffet had over 30+ delicious local dishes prepared in traditional way. The chandeliers in the restaurants were all made by seashells into different patterns. The shows explained local traditions of preparing food and crafts, musicals and fire shows. Needless to say that it was a spectacular day indolgining into the local culture and learning about Tahitian traditions.
4. Self-guided factory tour at Manutea Tahiti - Rotui Juice Factory
If you shop at the local supermarkets in French Polynesia, you will recognize the Rotui juice brand. They are made in Mo’orea.
After the tour, you can go to the factory direct store to sample all the juices, cocktails, wine and rum.
5. Sight seeing by driving around the island
(1) Public beaches and free snorkeling
There are public beaches for pinics and free snorkeling. Relaxing by the beach and watching the sunset are perfect way to unwind.
Ta’ahiamanu Public Beach
(2) Tiki statue
(3) Toatea Lookout
Recommended intinerary:
Day 1: Hiking Magic Mountain.
Day 2: Boat tour and snorkeling.
Day 3: Tiki Village (does not open every day, need to check the latest schedules for ceremony, food offerings and show time)
Day 4: Hiking Opunohu and factory tour.
Day 5: Driving around the island for sightseeing.
Happy exploring!