Moorea, a little island in French Polynesia, is a tropical haven that is frequently overlooked by Tahiti, it’s more well-known neighbor. Moorea, on the other hand, provides a distinct and genuine Polynesian experience that is well worth investigating. The top five things to see and see when visiting Moorea are covered in this guide.
Discover the Natural Beauty of the Island
In order to fully experience Moorea’s natural beauty, there are a variety of outdoor activities available. A 4×4 tour is one of the most well-liked ways to view the island. This journey will take you through the island’s interior and give you the chance to experience some of the island’s most stunning vistas. The journey will take you to Mount Rotui, the island’s highest summit, which provides a sweeping vista of the island and its surroundings. Along the route, you will also pass by the island’s untamed mountains and lush jungles.
Hiking through the island’s rainforests is another opportunity to discover the island’s natural splendor. Moorea is home to a wide variety of plants and animals that are particular to the island. Many tropical flora and trees, including coconut palms, breadfruit trees, and mango trees, may be found in the island’s rainforests. Additionally, you might see some of the island’s distinctive animals, such the endemic Moorea fruit bat.
The island is also home to numerous lagoons with crystal-clear water that provide a wide range of water sports. Tropical fish, coral, and sea turtles can be found in abundance in the lagoons of the island. Taking a snorkeling or scuba diving tour is the greatest way to see the island’s lagoons. These excursions will take you to some of the lagoon’s top locations where you can get up and personal with the marine life of the island.
Swim alongside stingrays and sharks
Swimming with sharks and stingrays is one of Moorea’s most distinctive aquatic adventures. Snorkeling and scuba diving are just two activities the island offers for encounters with sharks and stingrays. The Moorea Lagoonarium, which is situated on the island’s north shore, is the ideal location to witness this. You can interact with and feed a variety of sharks and stingrays here.
A variety of sharks and stingrays can be found in the Moorea Lagoonarium, a natural aquarium. The lagoonarium is situated in a safe part of the island’s lagoon, where marine life is teeming and the water is beautifully clear. Snorkeling and scuba diving are just two of the shark and stingray experiences available at the lagoonarium. You will get a chance to observe the sharks and stingrays up close and even feed them throughout the experience.
The lagoonarium also provides a range of educational events, including workshops on shark and stingray conservation and marine biology classes. These initiatives aim to inform tourists about the value of safeguarding the marine life on the island and our responsibility to do so.
Visit the Cultural Sites on the Island.
Moorea has a rich history and culture rooted in the Polynesians. The Marae Arahurahu, a revered temple from the 18th century, is one of many cultural attractions on the island that can be visited. One of the most significant cultural landmarks on the island is the temple, which is situated on the north shore. A number of stone platforms that were utilized for religious rituals and ceremonies make up the temple. The temple is also home to numerous sculptures and carvings that are exclusive to the island.
You can also go to the Tiki Village, a cultural park with traditional Polynesian architecture, dances, and music. Visitors can get a glimpse of the traditional Polynesian way of life in the village, which is on the island’s east coast. In addition to learning about the island’s history and culture, visitors can see traditional homes. To fully experience the culture of the island, the village also hosts daily performances of traditional dances and music.
The Paul Gauguin Cultural Center, which honors the well-known French painter who resided on the island in the late 19th century, is another place of interest. The center offers courses and talks on the artist and his work in addition to housing a collection of Gauguin’s paintings.
Travel by boat
Moorea is surrounded by pristine waters and provides a range of boat cruises to discover marine life on the island. The Moorea Dolphin and Whale Watching cruise is the most well-liked boat excursion. This excursion takes you out to sea to witness the dolphins and whales that live on the island. The tour is supervised by knowledgeable guides who will teach you about marine life on the island and the best places to observe dolphins and whales.
You may also go on a glass-bottom boat trip to get a close-up look at the coral reef and tropical fish on the island. You’ll visit some of the nicest lagoon locations on the island during the tour, where you can observe the coral reef and tropical fish in their natural environment. The tour is supervised by knowledgeable instructors who can tell you where to see the coral reef and tropical fish as well as information about the island’s marine life.
Enjoy the nightlife on the island.
Moorea has a range of evening alternatives in addition to being a relaxing and interesting destination to visit during the day. Vaiare, the capital of the island, has a wide selection of taverns and eateries with dancing and live music. Traditional Polynesian music and modern music are both available as entertainment in Vaiare’s taverns and eateries. Traditional Polynesian dances and performances are also available at a lot of the taverns and eateries.
A traditional Polynesian feast and show are also available, in addition to a sunset sail. The sunset cruise is a wonderful opportunity to take in the nightlife of the island and the stunning sunset above it. The knowledgeable guides who are leading the cruise will educate you about the island’s history and culture.
Finally, Moorea offers a distinct and genuine Polynesian experience that is definitely worth experiencing. Everyone may enjoy the island’s natural beauty, marine life, cultural attractions, nightlife, and boat cruises. Moorea has something to offer whether you choose a leisurely or action-packed holiday. So, get ready for a trip you won’t soon forget, and pack your luggage and fly to Moorea.
Our Top FAQ's
The best way to explore the natural beauty of Moorea is by taking a 4×4 tour. The tour will take you through the heart of the island and offer you the chance to see some of the most breathtaking views of the island. The tour will take you to the island’s highest peak, Mount Rotui, which offers a panoramic view of the island and its surrounding waters.
The best place to swim with sharks and stingrays in Moorea is at the Moorea Lagoonarium, which is located on the north shore of the island. The lagoonarium is a natural aquarium that is home to a variety of sharks and stingrays. The lagoonarium offers a variety of shark and stingray encounters, including snorkeling and scuba diving.
Some of the cultural sites to visit in Moorea include the Marae Arahurahu, a sacred temple that dates back to the 18th century, the Tiki Village, a cultural park that features traditional Polynesian houses, dances, and music, and the Paul Gauguin Cultural Center, which is dedicated to the famous French painter who lived on the island in the late 19th century.
Some of the nightlife options in Moorea include visiting bars and restaurants that offer live music and dancing in the main town of Vaiare, and taking a sunset cruise and enjoying a traditional Polynesian dinner and show. The sunset cruise is a great way to experience the island’s nightlife and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the island.