Tour Overview
Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Tahiti, Moorea feels like a different world — one where jagged volcanic peaks plunge into impossibly blue lagoons and the pace of life slows to island time. This 6-day itinerary is built around Moorea’s two great treasures: the dramatic mountain interior and the vibrant lagoon ecosystem. You’ll hike to the legendary Belvedere Lookout for the view that launched a million postcards, snorkel with sharks and rays in knee-deep water, explore the island’s famous pineapple fields, and kayak through the translucent waters of Cook’s Bay. With 5 nights on the island, you’ll have time to sink into Moorea’s rhythm — unhurried mornings, adventure-filled days, and sunsets that stop conversations mid-sentence.
Itinerary
Day 1: Ferry to Moorea & Cook’s Bay Sunset
Take the 8:30 AM Aremiti ferry from Papeete for the smoothest 30-minute crossing to Vaiare Wharf on Moorea. Your driver meets you at the wharf with a flower lei and transfers you to your Cook’s Bay accommodation. The scenic drive passes through pineapple fields and offers your first glimpse of Moorea’s iconic jagged skyline. Spend the afternoon settling in and swimming at your hotel’s beach. At sunset, walk along Cook’s Bay — named for the British explorer who anchored here in 1777 — watching the light change on Mount Rotui’s knife-edge ridge. Dinner at a waterfront restaurant specializing in grilled mahi-mahi with vanilla sauce.
Day 2: Belvedere Lookout, Pineapple Plantations & Magic Mountain
Rise early and depart by 7 AM for the Belvedere Lookout. Arriving before the tour buses ensures you have the panorama to yourself: Cook’s Bay on the left, Opunohu Bay on the right, and Mount Rotui standing sentinel between them — a view so perfectly composed it looks staged. From the Belvedere, walk the archaeological trail past ancient marae (stone temples) hidden in the forest. Next, visit the Lycée Agricole d’Opunohu, the agricultural high school where you can taste and purchase locally made jams, ice cream, and fresh pineapple juice. After lunch, climb Magic Mountain (a short but steep hike) for an alternative panoramic viewpoint looking north toward Tahiti. The afternoon is yours for relaxation — perhaps a dip in your hotel pool or a stroll along Temae Beach, Moorea’s longest stretch of sand.
Day 3: Shark & Ray Lagoon Snorkel Adventure
Today is the trip’s aquatic highlight. Your morning boat tour takes you into Moorea’s lagoon, where the first stop brings you face-to-face with blacktip reef sharks and southern stingrays. The water is only waist-deep, making this one of the world’s most accessible shark encounters. Your guide provides thorough safety briefing and snorkeling instruction — no prior experience needed. The rays are remarkably gentle, gliding past your legs like underwater kites. Next, snorkel at the Tiki Point coral garden, where colorful reef fish swarm around healthy coral formations, and visit Motu Fareone for a picnic lunch on a tiny sand islet. The afternoon includes a stop at a sea turtle cleaning station and drift snorkeling along the barrier reef. Return to your hotel by mid-afternoon with time to rest and process the morning’s encounters.
Day 4: Three Coconuts Pass Hike & Opunohu Bay Kayaking
Start early (7 AM departure recommended) for the Three Coconuts Pass hike (Col des Trois Cocotiers). This moderately challenging trail climbs through tropical forest to a ridge with spectacular views over both Cook’s and Opunohu Bays. The trail is well-maintained but can be muddy — bring proper shoes and plenty of water. The round trip takes approximately 3-4 hours. After descending, enjoy lunch in the village of Papetoai, home to the oldest European building in the South Pacific — an octagonal Protestant church built in 1822. In the afternoon, pick up kayaks for a paddle through Opunohu Bay. The bay’s calm, deep waters are flanked by soaring green mountains — a setting that inspired James Michener to describe Moorea as ‘so stunning that there is a willingness to be imprisoned on it.’ Keep an eye out for stingrays gliding beneath your kayak.
Day 5: Temae Beach, Snorkeling & Island Drive
Spend a relaxed morning at Temae Beach (Plage de Temae) near the former Club Med site. This long stretch of white sand offers the island’s best swimming and shore snorkeling — the coral begins just meters from the beach. Bring bread to feed the tropical fish (your hotel can provide some). After lunch, embark on a self-guided circle-island drive (rental car or scooter arranged through the hotel). The 62-kilometer coastal road takes approximately 2 hours without stops. Key stops include: the Toatea Lookout over the Sofitel’s overwater bungalows and the reef break where surfers ride waves into the lagoon pass; Afareaitu Waterfall, a short walk from the coastal road; and the Maharepa shopping village for last-minute pearl shopping. Farewell dinner at a recommended restaurant in Maharepa featuring Tahitian poisson cru and grilled lagoon fish.
Day 6: Return to Tahiti
After breakfast, transfer back to Vaiare Wharf for the morning ferry to Papeete. With the mountains of Moorea receding behind you, you’ll understand why this heart-shaped island captures every visitor’s heart. Connect to your international flight or onward inter-island journey.
What’s Included
- 5 nights accommodation in Cook’s Bay area (beachfront lodge with breakfast)
- Return ferry transfers between Tahiti and Moorea
- Return wharf transfers on Moorea
- Half-day guided hike: Belvedere Lookout, pineapple plantations & Magic Mountain
- Half-day guided lagoon excursion: shark & ray snorkeling with Motu picnic
- Half-day guided hike: Three Coconuts Pass
- Kayak rental for Opunohu Bay (half day)
- Daily breakfast
- Flower lei welcome
- English-speaking local guide on excursions
What’s Not Included
- International flights and flights within French Polynesia
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Lunches and dinners (except Motu picnic lunch on Day 3)
- Car or scooter rental for Day 5 (can be arranged)
- Personal expenses, drinks, and souvenirs
- Tips and gratuities
Accommodation
Beachfront lodge or boutique hotel in the Cook’s Bay area with lagoon access, swimming pool, and restaurant. Upgrade to Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort (luxury garden bungalow with overwater option) — supplement applies.
Best Time to Visit
May to October for dry season and optimal hiking conditions (average 26°C/79°F). November to April offers warmer water temperatures, lush vegetation, and fewer crowds. Shark and ray encounters operate year-round. The Hawaiki Nui Va’a outrigger canoe race (October/November) is a major cultural event.
Important Notes
- Moderate fitness required for hiking days; Three Coconuts Pass involves 3-4 hours of uphill walking
- No special skills needed for shark and ray snorkeling; life jackets provided
- Bring: hiking shoes, reef shoes, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, reusable water bottle
- Ferry crossing can be rough in windy conditions — seasickness medication recommended for sensitive travelers
- Shark and ray encounters are conducted responsibly with no feeding that would alter natural behavior
