Moorea
Moorea, a tropical Eden in French Polynesia, beckons hikers with lush mountains, crystal-clear lagoons, and vibrant flora. Trails lead through ancient volcanic landscapes, offering panoramic views of jagged peaks and azure waters. Each step unveils a paradise for nature enthusiasts, where lush terrain meets the enchanting allure of the South Pacific.
Traveling to Moorea
We never even looked at French Polynesia until United was having a flash sale on flights at deep discounts when using points so we just decided heck with it. For 25,000 miles each way it is worth it. Once it was booked was when we really started doing our research. Flight wise we were routing through SFO. From there it is only an 8 hour or so flight which is very reasonably done in coach, it is the same amount of time as what it takes to go to Europe from the East coast.
United flies down and back 5 times a week, not flying on Mondays and Wednesdays. So we flew down on Tuesday. The flight left SFO late in the afternoon and arrived at PPT in the early evening. It does arrive after all the ferries and things have left so be prepared. We booked one night in a cheaper hotel, and came to regret it. We wish we would have stayed at the Polynesian Cabins by Kon Tiki. This place is located perfectly to wake up an take the ferry in the morning over to Moorea.
After you get in and stay the night in Papeete, if you got in later than the last ferry. All you need to do is take the morning ferry over. If you have a car most people suggested booking the ferry in advanced, we just pulled up and they got us right on the next boat. When you go and get your ticket they will ask you about the return so do be prepared with that information. The ferry ride is about 45 min, there is a cafeteria and lots of seating inside and out. As long as the weather is good a great way to view both islands and get ready to begin your vacation!!!
Staying on Moorea
There are a few different options for staying on Moorea, these all will depend on your preferences, budget, accessibility, and group sizes. The island is very accessible and takes about an hour or so to drive all the way around and that is about the only way to get anywhere. So if you are planning to do things all over the island plan on having a rental car or scooter or some form of transportation.
Vacation Rental:
For our trip we decided to go this route for a few reasons. One was space, a vacation rental just offers more space for the price most of the time. We were not as concerned with being over the water or even right on the beach. This was a place to stay, have breakfast and keep our things. We choose this amazing rental that had a beautiful view, kitchen, outdoor area, washer and dryer, and even a gym. This checked every box for us and I cant recommend it more. It was truly an amazing spot. We really enjoyed watching the sun rise on over the ocean and the views were fantastic.
Hotels:
Over Water Bungalows:
During our visit we did check out some of the resorts as they had some highly recommended restaurants. If we were to stay here for a rest and relax vacation the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa would be our choice. They have so much to offer and it is one of the only places that we could see on the island that checks every box. If you were coming to just relax maybe do one or two activities but otherwise stay on property you will not be disappointed here. The overwater bungalows are beautiful, the overwater Bar and Creperie, gym, and other restaurants on property make it a place that you can hide out in for a week of enjoyment and pampering.
Traditional Hotel:
If you are looking for just a good hotel, that has all of the amenities, centrally located, and good value. This is Cooks Bay Hotel and Suites. Located on the east side of cooks bay you are about 20 min from the ferry terminal and 20 min to the east side of the island. The food here is highly rated and everyone that we talked to couldn’t say many bad things about it. The one consistent complaint we read online was the beach access. The closest public beaches are about 10-15 min in either direction. So if getting into the ocean and snorkeling everyday and multiple times a day is a goal this property would be out. But this property is a great spot to base out of and get around the island to explore and check everything out, with everything that is around you won’t even miss the fact the hotel doesn’t have a beach.
Beach Bungalow:
The second hotel recommendation is the Moorea Beach Lodge, this is for the traveler than wants to have the relaxing get away and be away from any bit of hustle and bustle. The lodge is located on the western side of the island and therefore out of the way of most of the tourist traffic and cruise ship people. The is still a lot of great things to do right around this lodge. They offer a great beach and a very quiet and cozy feel to the property. If the overwater bungalows are a bit high but you still want the bungalow feel and have a very private experience this is the place for you. My only recommendation if you are staying here is to have a rental car so that you can easily get around.
Living on the Cheap:
Finally if you are just trying to do this as cheap as possible we would recommend researching and finding places to crash around the island. There are apporximently 5 hostels around he Island varying in price and offerings.