Moorea is an island often overlooked by travelers going to Bora Bora. However, Moorea has many great hikes, outdoor activities, and underwater adventures worth exploring. Moorea also has overwater bungalows, beautiful beaches, and blue, translucent water and is a bit cheaper than Bora Bora. I traveled to Moorea and Bora Bora during the same 2-week period, and Moorea was the active, adventurous part of the trip!

Moorea’s location:

Moorea is in French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean. Moorea is a short 50-minute flight from Bora Bora or a short ferry ride (about 40 minutes) from Tahiti. When I traveled to Moorea, we flew into Bora Bora and stayed a few days, then flew back to Tahiti, rented a car, and took the ferry to Moorea.

If you are traveling via ferry from Tahiti, the ferry runs multiple times a day and is very comfortable. They even serve coffee and snacks on the Terevau ferry. There are also flights from Tahiti to Moorea that are incredibly short, about 15-minutes. However, the ferry is ideal as it is less expensive and allows cars on board.

Having a car in Moorea is highly recommended as there are not many shared ride services or taxis and some of the best hikes and restaurants must be driven to. In my experience, there were limited rent-a-car shops in Moorea so renting a car in Tahiti and then taking the car on the ferry to Moorea seemed like the most affordable and practical option (and worked out perfectly).

Moorea is an awesome place to visit as it is tropical, beautiful, and very easy to get to from Tahiti. Now, let’s start exploring this tropical island!

The 3 Best Things to do in Moorea

This 2-mile hike is short but has some strenuous parts as there are many sections that are uphill. However, the stunning view of the coast, island, and lagoon is totally worth it! There are 2 ways to hike up the mountain. One path is less steep but slightly longer in distance, and the other path is steeper and a bit shorter, and frequently used by ATVs. Both trails end at the outlook at the top of the mountain.

At the start of the trail, there is a small shop that sells jams, juice, and fruit and offers parking for a small fee for hikers. Enjoying fresh fruit juice and trying some local jam was the perfect way to cool down after the 2-mile trek and added to the magic of the mountain.

Belvedere outlook is a popular spot with beautiful views of Cook Bay and Opunohu Bay. You can hike or drive to the outlook. If you drive, there is parking available at the top of the mountain. However, I would recommend going early as there are limited parking spaces that fill up quickly.

The pineapples and wild chickens on this hike make this hike feel tropical and fun. After arriving at Belvedere outlook, there are a few hikes you can take from there. We hiked the three Coconuts trail, which had a bamboo forest, beautiful ferns, and a lush green forest- A photographer’s dream!

3. Go Snorkeling

The beautiful blue water and reefs make for amazing dives. The snorkeling (in my opinion) was better in Moorea than in Bora Bora. We booked a snorkeling boat tour via Tripadvisor and it was a blast. The boat offered guests snacks and had all the equipment needed for snorkeling. They also took us to well-known snorkeling areas where we saw small sharks, huge stingrays, and tropical fish. This snorkeling tour also took us further out in the ocean to see underwater tiki statues, which are believed to protect the island. As always, beware of boating companies that feed the underwater wildlife as this can be dangerous to guest and animals.

(Please always check trail-specific information and use your best judgment regarding all trail warnings, closures, weather, and road closures/conditions before heading out for a hike.)

My Top Picks for Restaurants in Moorea

1. Ruby’s Fine Dining

https://www.facebook.com/rudysmoorea/

This romantic date night spot offers French food including everything from seafood to chicken and pasta. Dim lighting, a cozy bar, and delicious food make this restaurant feel very exclusive and intimate. Additionally, the service was excellent, making this my favorite place to eat in Moorea!

2. Restaurant Golden Lake

https://www.facebook.com/Restaurant-Golden-Lake-1591091027793821/

This unpretentious Chinese restaurant offers classic Chinese dishes with a relaxed environment. This place isn’t touristy, and a lot of locals can be seen dining here. They also have local bands perform occasionally and many tropical fish tanks, which make for an entertaining dinner. The food was also affordable and tasty!

3. Hilton Toateo Crepes and Bar

https://m.facebook.com/HILTONMOOREA/photos/toatea-cr%C3%AAperie-bar-enjoy-delicious-savory-and-sweet-cr%C3%AApes-and-exotic-cocktails/1141012175931961/

Do you like small sharks and crepes?! If so, this is the place for you! This over-water restaurant is at the Hilton hotel in Moorea. They have a large selection of crepes with tables and a bar located on an outside deck. Small sharks and fish swim under the deck and can be viewed from the tables.

The crepes were huge, and they offered dinner and dessert crepes. The only negative thing I experienced was the wait times. Despite having a reservation, we still had to wait before ordering drinks/food as this is a very popular spot. Luckily, we were entertained by the sharks splashing below in the water. I would recommend making a reservation before visiting this awesome spot.

Below is a Sample of a 2-Day Itinerary for Moorea

	Day 2
7:00 AM- 10:30 AM	Drive to Belvedere outlook and hike a trail
11:00 AM- 4:00 PM	Relax at the beach or take a self-guided tour of the island via car
5:30 PM- 7:00 PM	Enjoy an early dinner at Restaurant Golden Lake
9:30 PM	Have a late-night dessert crepe at Hilton Toateo Crepes and Bar

Please be sure to check other sources for restaurants’ hours, availability, closures, and contact information before making plans.

None of my recommendations of the best things to do in Moorea were sponsored or discounted and, as always, reflect my honest opinion.