Beautiful Moorea is the stuff of South Pacific Island dreams. Located a short ferry ride from French Polynesia’s capital, Papeete, accessible Moorea is a small volcanic island encircled by a coral reef and white-sand beaches. Things to do in Moorea revolve around nature, the outdoors, and its indigenous Tahitian culture. Spend your days snorkeling, diving, swimming, hiking, or going off-road into the interior, and relax over Polynesian–French fusion cuisine in the evening. You might not want to leave.
If you want good weather, consider visiting Moorea during the dry season, which runs from May into October. July and August get more crowds due to school holidays and the honeymoon season. The wet season brings with it more reasonable room rates and fewer tourists (except around Christmas and New Year’s), but be aware that the temperatures are a bit hotter.
The best way to get around Moorea is by renting a car or scooter, particularly if you want to explore the island independently. If you’re doing a tour or activity, your tour operator usually provides round-trip transportation from your hotel. There’s also a bus service, with separate routes on the east and west coasts, that’s both reliable and affordable.
Dining in Moorea can be expensive, especially if you stick to resort restaurants. But you can still eat well on a budget if you know where to go. You’ll find plenty of great options around the island, from roulottes (food trucks) serving up everything from crepes to fresh fish, to local favorites such as Allo Pizza overlooking the eastern side of Cook’s Bay, where you can get all sorts of made-to-order pizzas baked to perfection in a wood-fired oven.
