7 Days In Moorea Itinerary
Day 4: Hiking & Polynesian Culture
Spend the bulk of this day exploring Moorea on foot. Moorea is home to some of the best hikes in French Polynesia, ranging from easy valley floor trails to thrilling ascents to high-altitude summits. Listed below are a few recommendations, including DIY and guided hikes. Check out the Moorea Travel Guide for more information about hiking on the island.
Opunohu Valley Or The Three Coconuts
Level: easy to moderate
Moorea’s lush Opunohu Valley is home to several marked trails that crisscross the rainforest and pineapple fields. If you didn’t hike the Three Coconuts Pass on the first day when you visited the Belvedere, head back to the famous scenic viewpoint and choose one of three marked trails that enter the rainforest.
Col de Vaiare
Level: challenging
The Col de Vaiare is my favorite hike in Moorea. The trail begins in lush orchards before entering the wild rainforest for a short but very steep ascent to the mountain pass on the ridgeline. From up here, hikers are able to catch a bird’s eye view of Opunohu Valley and Cook’s Bay from one side and Vaiare and Tahiti on the other.
Mount Rotui Hike
Level: very hard
Towering above the island’s twin bays, the hike to the summit of Mount Rotui is very challenging yet rewarding. You can pick up the trail opposite the Hilton parking lot and either climb to the summit or to a point that satisfies your legs. It’s best to hire a local guide for this hike for safety reasons.
The Pierced Mountain
Level: very hard
This is one of the finest hikes in Moorea, but it is a challenging one and should only be done with the help of a guide. Mount Mouaputa rises to a height of 830m, but it’s better known as “The Pierced Mountain” thanks to the large hole just beneath its summit.
Lunch in Maharepa Village
If you’ve already dined at Snack Mahana and Coco Beach on previous days, head to Snack Didier in Maharepa Village for a local lunch. Go for grilled or marinated raw fish dishes, and wash them down with an ice-cold Hinano beer. Maharepa is Moorea’s main commercial center, so there are other dining options around and several shopping options as well.
Evening At The Tiki Village
Several times a week, Moorea’s legendary Tiki Village opens its doors after sunset for a bountiful Polynesian buffet dinner and a thrilling dance show. You can purchase show-only tickets and inquire about free transfers if needed.
Proudly showcasing Tahitian culture since 1983, the Tiki Village in Moorea is set in a reconstructed traditional Polynesian village. Your visit begins with a tour of the village, where you’ll finally learn how to crack a coconut like a real Tahitian. You’ll then witness the unveiling of the traditional earth oven, where tonight’s dinner has been slowly cooking for 6 hours!
Dinner is served buffet-style, with Tahitian dishes and children’s favorites on the menu – as staff serenades you with traditional ukulele tunes. The highlight is, no doubt the dance show. Tahitian dancing is mighty hard, with women shaking hips from side to side and men twisting like a young Elvis Presley.
No Polynesian show is ever complete without some fire dancing. In the Tiki Village, they really outdo themselves.
Here’s a quick look at the Tiki Village dance show and spectacular fire dancing!
Day 5: Road Trip Around Moorea
On day five of this Moorea itinerary, we hit the road and circle the island along its 60-kilometer coastal road. Feel like being a bit more active? It’s totally doable by bicycle if you’re fit – with only a small handful of minor inclines.
On day one, we primarily focused on the sites around Opunohu Bay and its valley. Today, we’ll focus on other areas. Also, feel free to stop along the way wherever you want. There are plenty of artisan shops on the sides of the road, small beaches, and locals selling fruits, vegetables, and fresh coconuts. A big smile and a mauruuru (thank you in Tahitian) will sometimes get you an extra fruit of some sort.
Here are a few highlights:
Cook’s Bay
Despite never actually having anchored here, Cook’s Bay is named in honor of Captain James Cook. It is one of the prettiest spots in the South Pacific. Stop at Pihaena Lookout at PK11, where you can stretch your legs and spot the pineapple fields that cling to the side of the imposing mountains.
St. Joseph’s Church
Stop at this picturesque lagoon-side Catholic church and see if you peer through the windows of the original structure and spot the interesting altar. If you’re extra curious, come on Sunday morning to the adjacent present-day church and attend the colorful service.
Opunohu Bay
Cook’s twin bay is Opunohu Bay, and funny enough, this is where Captain Cook actually anchored on his first visit to Moorea. This beautiful bay served as the filming location for the 1984 movie The Bounty, starring Anthony Hopkins and Mel Gibson. You’ve already seen Opunohu Bay during the first day when you turned inland towards the Belvedere scenic lookout. Now, take the time and walk along parts of the bay’s shores to capture its magic. You can also visit the Te Fare Natura museum and learn about French Polynesia’s unique ecosystems.
Lunch in Moorea Tropical Garden
If you’re up for an early lunch, overcome the steep climb to the Moorea Tropical Garden. Check out the various tropical plants and enjoy the panoramic views over a fresh fruit smoothie or a proper lunch.
Atiha Bay
Unknown to most visitors, Atiha Bay is one of my favorite spots on the island. It’s a tiny fishing community whose bay often attracts local surfers. I used to just stare at the bay for hours upon hours. The best time to visit is just before sunset.
Haapiti Churches
The churches of Haapiti are the prettiest on the island. The Protestant church is on the lagoon side, while the Catholic church (Eglise de la Sainte Famille) is backed by lush peaks.
Afternoon Beach Time
Wrap up the day at Les Tipaniers Beach, one of the best on the island. This public beach lies on the private grounds of the family-friendly Hotel les Tipaniers. In recent years, management has restricted access to the beach, sometimes charging 1,500 XPF to use the private path from the main road to the beach and sometimes not allowing outside visitors at all. Since there’s a great beach bar and restaurant at Hotel Les Tipaniers, I recommend coming here for sunset drinks and sticking around for dinner. This will also give you access to the beach (reservations recommended).
If you just want some beach time and did visit on day 1 (because you had lunch at Coco Beach), head to stunning Ta’ahiamanu Beach.
