Holiday in Moorea
Island in French Polynesia — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇵🇫
Country
French Polynesia
Type
Island
Best time to travel
May to October (dry season, 24-28 °C, little rain). August to November for humpback whales. November to April warmer (30 °C) with occasional tropical showers.
Budget/day
180-400 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Tahiti/Papeete (PPT, 22-26 h with stopover in Paris or Los Angeles). Then ferry to Moorea (30 min, from €15) or short flight (7 min). Car or scooter rental recommended on Moorea.
About Moorea
Moorea is the jewel of French Polynesia — a heart-shaped volcanic island that rises from the South Pacific just 17 kilometers from Tahiti, embodying the archetype of a South Sea island with its emerald peaks, turquoise lagoons, and snow-white beaches. While Bora Bora represents luxury, Moorea is the more authentic, wilder, and more affordable sister. The two spectacular bays — Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay — cut deep into the rugged volcanic island, framed by 900-meter-high peaks shrouded in clouds. The Belvedere viewpoint offers a panoramic view of both bays simultaneously, regularly cited as one of the most beautiful in the world. The lagoon around Moorea is an underwater paradise: stingrays glide like living carpets over the sandy bottom, blacktip sharks patrol the reef edge, and humpback whales migrate through the waters from August to November. Snorkeling with rays and sharks in crystal-clear water is Moorea's most iconic experience. The pineapple plantations in the interior produce the sweetest pineapples in the world: Moorea's pineapple factory Manutea processes them into juice, jam, and the famous pineapple liqueur. The vanilla plantations complement the aromatic world of the island. The Polynesian cultural heritage lives on in dance, tattoo art, and the marae (sacred stone platforms). The Tiki Village offers authentic Polynesian shows with fire dancing, traditional umu (earth oven cooking), and handicrafts. The connection to nature and ancestors is palpable in Moorea.
Top 6 highlights in Moorea
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Cook's Bay & Opunohu Bay
Two spectacular bays, framed by 900-meter volcanic peaks: the Belvedere viewpoint shows both at the same time — one of the most beautiful views in the world.
Snorkeling with Stingrays & Sharks
Swim with stingrays in a crystal-clear lagoon and observe blacktip sharks: Moorea's most iconic experience, gentle and safe.
Humpback Whale Watching (Aug-Nov)
Humpback whales migrate through Moorea's waters: boat tours with underwater hydrophones and the opportunity to be in the water with the whales.
Belvedere & Magic Mountain Viewpoint
Panorama over both bays and the lagoon: accessible by car or hike, especially unforgettable at sunrise.
Pineapple Plantations & Manutea Factory
The sweetest pineapples in the world: plantation tour with tasting of juice, jam, and pineapple liqueur in the interior.
Tiki Village Cultural Show
Authentic Polynesian evening show: fire dancing, traditional umu food from the earth oven, tattoo art, and crafts.
Hotels in Moorea
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Moorea
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to travel for Moorea
Recommended travel time
May to October (dry season, 24-28 °C, little rain). August to November for humpback whales. November to April warmer (30 °C) with occasional tropical showers.
Summer
27-32 °C (Nov-Apr), humid and warm, occasional tropical rain showers, sea 28-29 °C
Winter
22-28 °C (May-Oct), dry and pleasant, light trade winds, sea 25-27 °C
How much does a holiday in Moorea cost?
Average costs per person per day
Budget
80-150 € (guesthouse, self-catering)
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
180-400 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
450-1500 € (overwater bungalow)
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
Book a package holiday to Moorea
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Compare package holidays now5 travel tips for Moorea
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Take the ferry instead of a flight — the Aremiti ferry (30 min, from €15) runs several times a day and offers spectacular views of Moorea's volcanic peaks upon arrival.
Book a morning ray tour — lagoon tours from €60: feed stingrays, observe sharks, snorkel in the coral garden. The animals are gentle and accustomed to humans.
Rent a scooter instead of a car — Moorea is compact (60 km around), scooters from €30/day are the most flexible option. A tour of the island takes 2-3 hours.
Choose guesthouses instead of resorts — local guesthouses (from €80/night) offer an authentic Polynesian experience with breakfast, often right by the water. Friendlier and cheaper than resorts.
Try Poisson Cru — raw fish marinated in lime juice and coconut milk is Polynesia's national dish. Best found in the roulottes (food trucks) or small local restaurants.
Food & drink in Moorea
These specialties you must try!
