Moorea
Moorea is a volcanic island 17 km from Tahiti, reached by ferry or a short flight. It has a reef lagoon, two bays and one road past ancient stone platforms.
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Moorea is a volcanic island about 17 km northwest of Tahiti, in the Windward Islands of the Society Islands. It is about 16 km across, and one road circles it in a loop of roughly 62 km. Cook's Bay, with deep blue water and sailing yachts and cruise ships at anchor, is the island's best-known view. Behind it rises Mount Mouaputa, about 830 m high, with a large hole through its middle.
The lagoon lies between the shore and a barrier reef that opens to the Pacific through about twelve passes. Snorkelers and divers see more than 500 species of coral fish there. Ferries leave Papeʼete regularly for the Vaiʼare wharf, a crossing of 30 to 60 minutes, and flights from Faʼa airport take about 5 minutes to Temaʼe. Most beaches on the northwest coast belong to hotels, so the public beach is at Temaʼe on the northeast coast. July to September is the drier season, and humpback whales pass the island from July to October.
Moorea in five
- Take the ferry from PapeeteFerries run several times a day from the Papeete waterfront, taking about 30–45 minutes. Walk-on tickets are easy; cars need a booking at busy times.
- Rent a car or scooterA ring road of about 60 km circles the island. Buses meet the ferries but do not run a useful all-day service for sightseeing.
- Drive up to the Belvedere lookoutThe road inland from Opunohu Bay climbs to a viewpoint over both bays and Mount Rotui, with archaeological marae along the way.
- Join whale watching only with licensed operatorsHumpbacks pass from about July to October. French Polynesia sets distance rules for boats and swimmers, and licensed guides follow them.
Things to do in Moorea
See all attractions in Moorea
Need to know
- Airport
- Moorea (MOZ), a short flight from Tahiti
- Getting there
- Ferry from Papeete, about 30–45 min
- Getting around
- Rental car or scooter on the ring road
- Best base
- The north coast between the bays, or Haapiti for quiet
- Time needed
- 3–4 nights
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain24 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°Hot, wetJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 402 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, wet
- FebruaryRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Hot, wetFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 400 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, wet
- MarchRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Hot, humidMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 208 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AprilRain22 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Rain easingAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 261 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°DrierMayRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Dry, trade windsJuneRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 138 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, trade winds
- JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Dry, whalesJulyRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
- AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh25°Low24°Dry, whalesAugustRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
- SeptemberRain16 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Dry, whalesSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 125 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
- OctoberRain19 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Warm, whalesOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 183 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, whales
- NovemberRain21 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°WetterNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 229 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wetter
- DecemberRain22 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°Hot, wetDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 295 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, wet
Average daily high and low in Moorea, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Moorea
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 72%
- Wind
- 3 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Moorea
10:05 AM
Monday, November 2
- Today27°21°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue24°21°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed23°20°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 23°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu25°20°99%Thursday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Fri26°20°92%Friday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Sat26°21°89%Saturday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Sun26°21°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 07:10 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 106.9 XPF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Papeete, Tahitiabout 30 min by catamaranThe capital and ferry hub. Take the catamaran for the shorter crossing and spend the day on the waterfront and market.
- Papeete, Tahiti (slower ferry)about 1 hour by ferryThe same harbour reached by the slower boat. Check the last return sailing before you leave Tahiti.
- Faʼa airport, Tahitiabout 5 min by plane to TemaʼeOnly useful if you are flying in or out, since flights to Temaʼe take about 5 minutes. Not a day trip.
Before you go to Moorea
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Rules for Moorea, checked
- Check entry rules for your passport with France Diplomatie before you book. Moorea is part of French Polynesia, an overseas country of France.Source
- Most beaches on the northwest coast belong to hotels and are closed to the public. The public beach is at Temaʼe, on the northeast coast near the airfield.
- Shark feeding is banned inside the lagoon, so skip any tour that offers it.
- Marae are ancient stone worship platforms. Stay on the paths, do not climb or move the stones, and take nothing from the site.
Plan around Moorea
Islands, flights and the dry season
Read the guideTahitiPapeete, the ferry terminal and the airport
Read the guideBora BoraThe famous lagoon, 50 minutes by air
Read the guideGetting around the islandsFerries, flights and rental cars
Read the guideConnectivity in PolynesiaRoaming, SIM or eSIM for the ring road
Read the guideMoorea FAQ
Moorea or Bora Bora?
Moorea has more to do on land, lower prices and a short ferry from Tahiti. Bora Bora has the more famous lagoon and overwater bungalows but needs a flight.
Can I visit Moorea as a day trip from Tahiti?
Yes. Take an early ferry, rent a car at the terminal and drive to the lookout and bays, then return on an evening boat.
Do I need a car on Moorea?
It helps. Hotels are spread around the island, and a car or scooter lets you reach the lookouts, beaches and restaurants on your own schedule.
How long do you need on Moorea?
Three nights is enough for the ring road, the Belvedere lookout and a lagoon day. A day trip from Tahiti works if you rent a car at the ferry terminal and start early, but you will skip the lagoon.
Where is the best snorkeling on Moorea?
The shallow lagoon in front of the north-coast beaches has rays and reef fish, and licensed boat tours take small groups to the best patches. Check currents and ask your host where it is safe to swim.