The heart-shaped island of Moorea is one of 118 South Pacific islands that make up French Polynesia, which also includes Tahiti and Bora Bora. Strung across a surface larger than Europe, these islands offer paradise at its purest. And while Bora Bora and Tahiti might have more name recognition, Moorea is the island for which you’ll fall head over heels. Here are four reasons why.
1. Mesmerizing natural beauty and a romantic vibe
Moorea’s stunning natural beauty makes it the perfect choice for a romantic getaway, whether a honeymoon, destination wedding or celebration of love. Colored with a hundred shades of blue and green, the island features a jungle interior with soaring volcanic peaks and a brilliant turquoise lagoon surrounding it. The air smells fresh and floral, thanks to the scents of the many tropical flowers that bloom here.
The look resembles Bora Bora, the more famous honeymoon destination in the same archipelago. But most like Moorea for its laid-back charm and better value. Here, you’ll have access to the same dreamy landscape as Bora and spend significantly less.
2. Amazing overwater bungalows
If sleeping in an overwater bungalow is on your bucket list, the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Resort indulges. French Polynesia invented the overwater bungalow concept in 1967, and the Sofitel’s fantasy suites are built on stilts overlooking the turquoise lagoon. Done in traditional Polynesian style, the bungalows have square glass viewing panels cut into the polished wood floors and ladders leading into the sea from the deck. There is excellent snorkeling in the lagoon just off the deck with vibrant coral, sea anemones and all colors of fish. The resort is the most luxe property on Moorea and has a chic French ambiance.
There are two restaurants, a bar, a dive and water excursions center and an excellent spa. Book a meal at K Restaurant for a special occasion, where you will dine on a French-influenced tasting menu paired with fine wines with your feet in the sand.
3. Superb diving and snorkeling
With visibility often superb and a thriving reef ecosystem, Moorea is home to fantastic diving and snorkeling. Diving is decent year-round, but the April to November dry season is prime as the water is crystal-clear and less choppy. Marine life varies, with lots of shark species, stingrays, eagle rays, turtles and, seasonally, humpback whales. There are sites suitable for beginners and seasoned divers alike. Moorea is also an excellent destination for an introductory dive that doesn’t require PADI certification.
Book a lagoon tour in a private boat if you’d rather stick to snorkeling. The daylong excursion takes you to multiple snorkeling stops, and you can swim with stingrays and gentle, black-tipped reef sharks in a completely natural, non-touristy setting. Eagle rays and turtles are also usually seen. Lunch is served on a private island, where you’ll eat at a table in the sea.
4. Easy to get to
Outside of Tahiti, Moorea is the most accessible island in French Polynesia. All international flights land at Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport. There are direct flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Tahiti on United Airlines and Air Tahiti Nui. The Air Tahiti Nui flights don’t depart until midnight, which makes a connection from Florida a breeze. On the return, they arrive in the US early in the morning, so you can catch a cross-country connection and still arrive home before dark.
The flight from the West Coast to Tahiti is a quick eight hours. Once you arrive, you’ll be in the same time zone as Hawaii. Depending on the time of year, this is as little as two hours behind PST. Your hotel can arrange transport from Tahiti to Moorea, which is just a 30-minute ferry ride away — by comparison, Bora Bora is a 45-minute flight.
