Why you should visit Moorea instead of Bora Bora and why Tahiti is the perfect stopover on your way to New Zealand

Sensible Traveler’s Hot Take

When it comes to tropical getaways, the islands of Tahiti have long captured the imaginations of travelers seeking a slice of paradise. While Tahiti itself is renowned for its breathtaking beauty, one island, in particular, stands out as a must-visit destination: Moorea. This stunning gem, located just a short ferry ride away from Tahiti, boasts an unrivaled combination of natural wonders, cultural richness, and tranquility. Sure Bora Bora likely has the more pristine beaches but if you want any type of adventure (one of the few places in the world you can swim with Humpback whales legally), coupled with convenience and beach relaxation, Moorea should be your top destination in the Tahitian islands if your time is limited. Plus Tahiti is the ideal half way point between the Americas and New Zealand making it the perfect stopover on the long journey across the Pacific. If you’re considering a trip to Tahiti or trans-Pacific, Moorea must be on your list!

Top Things to Do in Moorea:

1. Unspoiled Natural Beauty
   1. Moorea’s pristine landscape, with its emerald-green peaks, crystal-clear lagoons, and lush tropical vegetation, is a sight to behold. The island is dominated by towering volcanic mountains, including Mount Rotui and Mount Tohivea, which provide a stunning backdrop for the turquoise waters that surround it. The unspoiled beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life offer unparalleled opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming with majestic marine creatures.
2. Overwater Bungalows
   1. At a much lower cost than options in Bora Bora, overwater bungalows, are a staple in Moorea. These enchanting accommodations perched above the lagoon offer breathtaking views and direct access to the marine wonders below. Imagine waking up to the gentle lapping of waves and the sight of colorful fish darting beneath your bungalow—truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
      • While not the fanciest option, the Sensible Traveler opted for the Manava Beach Resort and Spa. Not nearly as expensive as some of the other over water options but some of the furnishings were a bit tired and it still was not cheap! We found it to be a nice compromise.
      • PRO TIP: Don’t eat at the resort. Eat at the surrounding restaurants and buy groceries at the market. This will drastically keep your costs down.
3. Adventure and Outdoor Activities
   1. For thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, Moorea offers an array of adrenaline-pumping activities. Embark on an exhilarating 4×4 safari into the island’s rugged interior, go hiking through lush valleys, or rent a jet ski and explore the coastline. The island also offers opportunities for paddle boarding, kayaking, and parasailing, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.
      • Many of the resorts will have free kayaks, paddleboards and snorkels for use free of charge. The Manava resort had awesome snorkeling right under the bungalow complete with harmelss sharks and sea turtles!
4. Swim with Humpback Whales
   1. Moorea is a breeding ground for southern humpback whales. This means there’s great whale watching and swimming! Yes, we said swimming!. While there are no guarantees that you will actually get to swim with the whales, there are many services that offer the opportunity to try an snorkel with the whales at a safe distance.
      • If this is something you want to do, you need to be a strong swimmer and can read up on how to about encountering the whales in other blogs such as this one.
      • Highly recommend booking multiple whale swims if this is something you want to do as there are no guarantees you will get to see whales on your first attempt.
5. Relax and take a dip
   1. Most resorts have fabulous pools and the ocean water, even in the cooler months, is relatively comfortable for swimming.
6. Location
   1. Moorea is less popular than Bora Bora so there are less tourists which make it more local. It also makes it cheaper to visit as you can take a ferry (as opposed to a plane) from the island of Tahiti which can really cut down on costs. The island is also big enough to offer plenty of activities so you wont get bored if you tire of chilling by the pool.

Food to Eat:

1. There’s a blending traditional Polynesian flavors with French influences. From fresh seafood platters and Tahitian-style poisson cru (raw fish marinated in lime juice and coconut milk) to mouthwatering tropical fruits and refreshing cocktails, the island offers a culinary journey that delights all senses.
   • Food isn’t cheap but not overly expensive if you visit the local restaurants as opposed to the resort restaurants.
2. Highly recommend having dinner at Chez Ke’iki if you’re in the area! Wonderful fresh fish.
3. There are a variety of small super markets/convenience stores around the island which are perfect for picking up snacks and breakfast. Avoid eating at the resorts if you are on budget!

Value:

1. Costs are relatively consistent with what you would expect if traveling in Europe or the United States. Perhaps a bit cheaper if you are avoiding the high end resorts.
2. The country of French Polynesia has forced all international flights to arrive into the island of Tahiti in the evening and depart in the morning. This means visitors are generally forced to stay on the island of Tahiti when they arrive and they day before they leave. This is obviously to support the economy of the nations most populous island.
   • There are some very cheap options on the island depending on what your standards are. The Sensible Traveler splurged a bit and stayed at the Hilton which was relatively newly renovated, had a fabulous pool and swim up bar but lacked a beach.
     • In addition, it’s within a short taxi ride of both the ferry and the airport. There’s also a large mall within a 3 minute walk of the hotel which is a great option for cheap food and drink outside of the hotel’s options.
3. A majority of the taxi drivers in Tahiti were female, which we found fascinating, but be prepared to pay in the local currency’s cash.
4. We found flights to be the same or cheaper when booking the stopover in Tahiti while on our way to Auckland as opposed to just booking a direct to Auckland.
5. We found the whale tours to be relatively affordable for the entire half day on the boat with snacks and snorkel gear included.
6. There certainly is an up-charge at the resorts for over water bungalows but if you can afford it you should do it. The sensible traveler managed staying in a bungalow even with two little kids and it was so worth while although we had to be very mindful of the railing on the deck!
7. Taking the ferry to Moorea is far cheaper than the small regional planes that are required to get to Bora Bora and many of the other surrounding islands.
8. If you have a larger group, you can find some amazing rental properties/compounds to stay in as opposed to resorts. If that’s the case, you’ll likely need to rent a car while on the island to ensure you can get to various destinations.
9. We were able to manage getting around the island with taxi’s although it took us a bit to catch one when we arrived in Moorea. Therefore, you may want to coordinate with your accommodations to schedule a pick up upon your arrival if you don’t plan on renting a car.

Time Needed: 4 nights, 2 Full Days – you’ll likely have a few partialdays split due to travel but you need at least two full days in Moorea to experience the highlights.

Any other Sensible Travel tips for Moore, French Polynesia? Leave a comment below to help your fellow travelers!