Top 8 activities in Moorea
Accessible in less than 45 minutes by boat from Tahiti, and just 15 minutes by plane, Moorea is a must-visit island in French Polynesia. In direct competition with Bora Bora for the title of most beautiful island in the Society archipelago, it also offers, like Bora Bora, a host of outdoor activities!
Only 17 km separate Moorea from Tahiti, making it an easily and quickly accessible island shortly after your arrival at Fa'a'ā International Airport, west of Papeete. So it would be a shame to miss out, especially as Moorea is packed with breathtaking scenery! It is often compared to Bora Bora, both islands offering idyllic settings for a relaxing holiday, but is still more affordable than the latter, both in terms of accommodation and leisure activities. So you can be sure you won't be bored, especially if you book some of the experiences in our Top 8 things to do in Moorea featured in this article!
1 - Discover the Moorea lagoon by kayak or SUP
It's in the north-west of the island, around Tiahura to be precise, that Moorea's lagoon reveals its finest assets: coral gardens rich in underwater life, motus with fine sandy beaches, translucent waters where you can swim with black-tip sharks and stingrays, etc. A sea kayak trip from Tiahura is a must, as is a transparent stand-up paddle excursion, unique to Moorea!
Accompanied by a guide, you'll have the pleasure of taking part in an outing enriched by swimming breaks, stops on the Fareone and Tiahura motus, and why not even a little tasting of fresh local fruit. All the while, your guide will be on hand to tell you all about the island's incredible flora and fauna.
2 - Swimming in the Moorea lagoon with fins, mask and snorkel
As with all the other islands in French Polynesia, snorkelling is one of the best things to do in Moorea, all around the island, wherever the lagoon is accessible. It's an easy activity to do on your own from the beach, requiring only a mask and snorkel to do it, but nothing beats a guided snorkelling excursion in Moorea!
Taking a boat trip with a guide will not only give you access to the island's best snorkelling sites, but you'll also benefit from the guide's knowledge of the underwater flora and fauna, giving you an educational approach. What's more, professionals in the sector offer seasonalwhale watching on Moorea and, if possible, get in the water with them for an unforgettable snorkelling experience!
3 - Visit as much of the island as possible by 4x4 or quad bike
With a surface area of 134 km² to explore, as well as a number of peaks, the highest of which, Mont Tohiea, rises to an altitude of 1,207 metres, Moorea is an island that offers great opportunities for excursions. And to discover as much as possible in just one day or even 4 hours, don't miss out on a guided tour of Moorea in 4x4!
Taking part in this type of experience will allow you to reach the island's most beautiful sites with ease, while making unmissable cultural stops at the Moorea Tropical Garden, the Rotui/Manutea Tahiti distillery, the valley of the Ōpūnohu agricultural college and its pineapple fields, etc. And for a more sensational immersion experience, you can also take a quad bike excursion to Moorea!
4 - Canyoning in the heart of the Moorea jungle
Apart from Tahiti, Moorea is the only island in French Polynesia where you can go canyoning. Starting out from Afareaitu, in the south-east of the island, or Paopao, in the south of Cook Bay, an experienced guide will take you deep into the jungle to reach courses featuring abseils, small jumps, swimming sessions in pools, natural slides and more. It's the perfect way to discover canyoning in Moorea!
Available from the age of 12, this experience will give you the chance to discover a completely different side of the island, apart from its dream lagoon and white sandy beaches. So if you're looking for adventure during your stay, don't miss out on this activity in Moorea!
5 - Relax on a boat trip around the island
At sunset for a romantic atmosphere, combined with a hike or snorkelling breaks for maximum discovery, on the lagoon or offshore for the most beautiful panoramic views of the island... there are several ways to enjoy a boat trip in Moorea, to suit all tastes! As a family, with friends or as a couple, you're bound to find the perfect getaway at sea to discover the island's must-see sites, such as Cook Bay and Ōpūnohu Bay.
If you're interested in sailing your own boat, you'll be delighted to be able to take part in a sailing excursion in Moorea, while if you're a fishing enthusiast, you'll prefer to opt for a big-game fishing trip off Moorea, etc.: all types of escapades are available to suit every profile!
6 - Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a must-do sport in French Polynesia, so it's only natural that it's a must-do activity in Moorea. Whether it's a first dive for beginners, or an exploration dive for certified divers, expect to be pleasantly surprised by the beauty and richness of the island's seabed! What's more, if you don't fancy diving with a tank, you can discover scuba diving in Moorea's lagoon, an ideal experience to share with the whole family.
If you dive in Moorea on the lagoon side, you'll find the typical fauna and flora of Polynesian lagoons (tropical fish, stingrays, black-tip sharks, etc.), while along the coral reef on the ocean side, you can cross paths with even more astonishing animals: reef and lemon sharks, eagle rays, green and hawksbill turtles, barracudas, etc., and even dolphins!
7 - Venture to Moorea on foot or by bike
If you have the pleasure of spending several days on the island, don't miss out on discovering it while taking your time on foot or by bike. Indeed, there are many hiking routes in Moorea, to take on your own or alongside a guide who will share interesting information about Polynesian history and culture! You can walk through the Ōpūnohu valley, over the Col des 3 Pinus, up Mont Mou'a Puta, also known as the "pierced mountain", and so on.
Hiring an electrically-assisted bike in Moorea is also a great way to explore the island's roads and paths, by the day or half-day, depending on your needs and desires. You'll be able to reach the most beautiful viewpoints without too much effort and admire the superb panoramas of Moorea!
8 - Enjoy the thrills of a parachute jump
Calling all adrenaline junkies! If you're not afraid of soaring to an altitude of 3,000 metres and then jumping into the void, securely attached to a tandem instructor, for around 40 seconds of free fall at up to 200 km/h, then skydiving in Moorea is an experience you don't want to miss. As well as offering extraordinary sensations, this extreme activity will allow you to admire the island from a most impressive angle!
Once the freefall is over, the instructor will deploy your parachute at an altitude of around 1,500 metres, giving you an unforgettable view of Moorea, its lagoon and its peaks. It's well worth the adventure, but if you're not into extreme sports, you can still enjoy a panoramic flight over the island in a helicopter, without having to jump out of the aircraft.
Whether on land or at sea, there's no shortage of things to do in Moorea. What's more, this list is not exhaustive! You can also go jet skiing in Moorea, take part in a tree-climbing adventure at Tiki Parc Moorea, discover flyboarding and hoverboarding in the lagoon at Vai'are, and much more.
If you're still not sure which island to choose between Moorea and Bora Bora, take a look at our Top 8 things to do in Bora Bora, as well as our comparison between Moorea and Bora Bora to help you decide!