Top Things to do in Moorea
Top 6 Things to do in Moorea, French Polynesia
The world's largest coral reef eco-system actually consists of 3,000 separate reefs. The island of Moorea serves as the perfect base camp for snorkelers and scuba divers seeking to come face-to-face with the diversity of life that darts among the coral. Non-swimmers can enjoy the same parade of astounding creatures from the dry perch of a glass-bottomed boat. Formed when half of a monolithic volcano crumbled to the blue-green sea, Moorea is an achingly exquisite heart-shaped island that is simply paradise found.
Restaurants in Moorea
1. Magic Mountain
Overall Ratings
5 based on 663 reviews
Reviewed By heindels - Atlanta, Georgia
We booked through Crystal Cruises with Alberts 4x4 ATV on a 3 hour tour of Moorea Island. It was one of the highlights of our visit through the South Pacific. The scenery was breathtaking. Belvedere Lookout Point was perfect for photographs as was Magic Mountain overlooking the blue lagoon below. We had a great ride through streams, steep inclines, rough terrain, Forests, switchbacks, you name it. What a thrill.
We visited pineapple plantations, ancient burial sites, and stopped at the Agricultural school for a break to taste various fresh fruit jellies, and fruit juices.
These highlights are not to be missed.
2. Lagoonarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Walter N - Chapel Hill, North Carolina
A water taxi takes you from the check in point (ticket sale) to the sand bank where fish feedings take place at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. There are strong currents but ropes are provided to avoid being swept away. There are little huts providing shade and to store any belongings you bring along. If you plan to spend more time bring a picnic although there is a little snack bar providing limited refreshments.
3. Belvedere Lookout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 945 reviews
Overlooking the panoramic Opunohu Valley and Cook and Opunohu Bays, this spectacular scenic overlook was the setting in the popular film, "Return of the Bounty."
Reviewed By Conseiller99 - Roseland, New Jersey
We rented a cab for about an hour and a half from the Hilton Moorea to visit Opunohu Bay and go to the Belvedere. It cost a mere $50 for the four of us, and the cabbie really knew the area and its history. What a great guy! Opunohu is where Captain Cook landed, and where Mutiny on the Bounty, with Marlon Brando, was filmed, as well as The Bounty, the 1984 version, on its black sand Beaches with the looming mountain peaks behind it. In going there, you go around Cook’s Bay, the adjoining bay, named after Cook rather tan Opunohu due to the religious significance of the latter. The real treat is the Belvedere. You drive thru some pastures, with great views of a number of the peaks of Moorea, like “The Tooth”, past the shrimp farm, and wind up (and I do mean “wind”) to the Belvedere where you get a great view from way above of Rotui, the tallest of the peaks, behind you, and down to the two bays, all over the former Caldera of the volacano, now filled in with lush green. Then, either on the way up or down, see the resored main marae (temple) of Moorea which was painstakingly found and cleared by two very dedicated people. It is well described, with charts and renderings by plaques on the scene. You can see the altar, with center stone, and the supports of the places where the king and kahuna places were. Just above it is the archery marae, where warriors had to qualify for acceptance by shooting an arrow in a narrow lane to a spot 240m away. The place from which they shot the arrows has also been excavated. A very special place for any aficianado of Polynesian history and culture. Highly recommend!
4. Temae Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 336 reviews
Reviewed By FredPurdue - Seattle, Washington
Our cruise ship offered a photo dedicated excursion that included a stop at this beach, and it was a wonderful opportunity for shooting. The trip was in a 4wd vehicle with eight per car per instructor. He walked around coaching the participants and answering questions about possible shots and camera technique. The vehicle Seating was slightly crowded, so, if you do this, travel light. No tripod is advisable. DSLR with a zoom lens works well for the variety of shots available. Bracket. Lastly, a word of caution, coconuts are like small bowling balls, so "do not stand under a coconut tree very long."
5. Toatea Lookout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By danjonelson - Nelson, New Zealand
We arrived on the island and had a shuttle arranged to take us to the Hilton The driver stopped here on the way and it was well worth the stop, outstanding view over the Sofitel, looking at the beautiful colours of the reef
6. Moorea Tropical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 332 reviews
Reviewed By Keith-B-Robinson - Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada
This neat little tropical garden showcases various fruits, vegetables, flowers and vanilla beans. Learn about how much physical labor goes into pollinating the vanilla bean flowers artificially. Don't forget to look for the blue-eyed eel in the Freshwater pond! And make sure to sample some of the delicious, fresh marmalade.
