"Moorea, Tahiti's beautiful smaller sister" Top 5 Page for this destination Moorea by easyoar

Moorea Travel Guide: 314 reviews and 659 photos

Playing with fire... - Moorea
Playing with fire...

If you have stumbled cross this page accidentally, then there is a good chance that you won't even now where Moorea is or indeed what it really is.

Moorea is a smaller, less developed (by this read not badly over-develped) and more beautiful than its sister Island of Tahiti. Moorea is part of the French Polynesian Society Islands of which Tahiti is the largest and most important, and by far the most well known. The name Moorea actually means 'Yellow Lizard'. Apparently this comes about from a legend where a huge yellow lizard opened up the two bays with two huge swipes from his tail.

Most people who go to Tahiti use it for its International Airport and get out as quickly as they can to islands such as Moorea and Bora Bora. Indeed Moorea is where many Tahitians go for weekend breaks, as it is far more relaxed that the more hectic and over-developed Tahiti.

Turtles at the Lagoonarium - Moorea

Turtles at the Lagoonarium

Moorea is only 12 miles (20 km) from Tahiti, and is quite cheap to visit from Tahiti. Unfortunately this is one of the only cheap things in French Polynesia - only visit if your wallet needs to go on a crash diet, because you can rest assured it will be much lighter when it leaves than when it arrived!

Polynesian Woman on Moorea - Moorea

Polynesian Woman on Moorea

Highlights of Moorea are the Lagoonarium (where you can swim with Turtles and sharks [yes - really!]), Tiki Village (where you see local people 'living' in a traditional way as well as an evening show with loclas dancing, preparing food and showing local crafts) and just generally driving round the island and enjoying the views and the beaches/watersports.

French Polynesia was born out of fire (there are extinct volcanoes everywhere), which may account for the fire dance ritual they perform here.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Way, way better than Tahiti
  • Cons:Still colossally expensive for what you get
  • In a nutshell:If you must visit French Polynesia, come here.
  • Last visit to Moorea: Aug 2004
  • Intro Updated Dec 30, 2004
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Reviews (37)

Fruit sellers on the side of the road - Moorea Fruit sellers on the side of the road Off The Beaten Path (3)

One of the nice things when you are driving around the island is to come across a local fruit seller on the side of the... more travel advice

The Tiki Village - Moorea The Tiki Village Favorites (3)

The Tiki Village Theatre is around PK31. It puts on a show in the evenings that has Polynesian dancing, fire dancing, a... more travel advice

Colourful batiks on display - Moorea Batiks Shopping (2)

These colourful Batiks are sold all over the island. They are very colourful and look great blowing in the breeze. As... more travel advice

Easyoar at Sunset on Moorea - Moorea Spectacular Sunsets Things to Do (16)

Around about PK27 to PK28, you can get some really spectacular sunsets. It's a great place to find a bar and just... more travel advice

Comments (45)

  • Reply
    Jim_Eliason's Profile Photo
    Jul 19, 2009 at 2:44 PM

    Great tips!

  • Reply
    Kakapo2's Profile Photo
    Apr 23, 2009 at 10:27 PM

    I am very glad that you survived your swim with the overly self-confident turtles and made it back to land in your outrigger canoe ;-) What an adventure holiday! Sissi

  • Reply
    daryll's Profile Photo
    Dec 1, 2007 at 4:43 AM

    wow...that is amazing!

  • Reply
    marielexoteria's Profile Photo
    Oct 26, 2007 at 2:10 AM

    I was about to ask about how to take a pic underwater but my answer was in that tip. The picture is good. Happy travels!

  • Reply
    SabrinaSummerville's Profile Photo
    Nov 6, 2006 at 1:51 AM

    Fantastic swim with the turtles tip on Moorea. I'll be there in 2008 but I don't think I'll be with any biting turtles ;-)

  • Reply
    starship's Profile Photo
    Sep 26, 2006 at 8:20 AM

    Have never been any place in the Pacific except the Hawaiian Islands which I thought were expensive, but sounds like Moorea may be even more so. May be a good place to go on a diet!

  • Reply
    KiKitC's Profile Photo
    Jul 2, 2006 at 1:21 PM

    Wonderful tips. Just wish I could afford another trip to that side of the world...

  • Reply
    traveldave's Profile Photo
    Jun 28, 2006 at 9:15 AM

    Looks like a little slice of paradise. Too bad it's so expensive. A nice page with great pictures and tips.

  • Reply
    budapest8's Profile Photo
    Jun 28, 2006 at 6:01 AM

    Been offline a week cos of my female visitor...5 nights of 'Palinka' and sightseeing has taken it's toll. My ratings are 0 so I have to be active here for an hour. It's +35 and I'm suffering..off home with Clara.Tim

  • Reply
    scottishvisitor's Profile Photo
    Jun 13, 2006 at 9:09 AM

    Great page here with lots of great info & as usual stunning photography = nice work

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