While most of our time in French Polynesia was spent on a week-long catamaran adventure with our friends, Designed to Explore, we couldn’t resist squeezing in a little time on the island of Moorea before heading home. We only had about 30 hours on Moorea. But even in that short window, it wowed us with its lush beauty, delicious seafood, and laid-back island vibes.

If you’re planning a trip to French Polynesia and are thinking about adding Moorea to your itinerary, here’s how we made the most of our one night stay. Spoiler alert: we’d definitely recommend staying at longer if you can swing it, but even a short visit is so worth it!

Why Moorea is So Special

Moorea is famous for its dramatic mountain peaks, crystal-clear blue lagoons, and chill vibe. Just a quick ferry ride from Tahiti, it feels quieter and more personal. The island has a rich history with ancient Polynesian temples called marae, and is deeply connected to Tahitian culture. These days, people come for the stunning natural beauty, and access to fun adventures both on land and in the water.

Getting to Moorea by Ferry and Renting a Car

The most convenient way to reach Moorea from Tahiti is by ferry—a scenic journey that takes about 30–60 minutes. Ferries run daily from the Papeete port to Moorea’s Vaiare marina, with prices starting at 1,500 XPF (about $15 USD) per trip. The first ferry departs around 6:00 a.m. and the last around 5:30 p.m. They run throughout the day, generally every hour or so. There are four main ferry companies serving the route: Aremiti, Terevau, Vaeara’i, and Tauati. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal or online. There is no need to reserve ahead unless you’re bringing a car over. Reservations for car passage should be made in advance.

We took the 10:30 am ferry from Tahiti. Once we arrived in Moorea, we walked across the street to Avis to pick up our rental car. (Tip: It’s slightly cheaper to rent in Tahiti and bring your car on the ferry, but renting in Moorea gives you more flexibility—and one less thing to coordinate) . Avis had a vehicle that fit our group of six comfortably, though it was a manual transmission. Thankfully, Jason still remembered how to drive stick!

Exploring Moorea before checking in:

We had some time before check-in, so we stopped at a small fruit and flower stand near the ferry terminal for some floral crowns (“hei”). Then we drove along the main road that circles the island to Cook’s Bay, where we grabbed poke bowls and smoothies down the street from our hotel.

Lunch: Iaorana Smoothie and Poke Bar: Maharepa 98728, French Polynesia . We thought these bowls were pretty good, but an even higher rated spot on the island is: North Shore Poke and Smoothie Bar: Moorea-Maiao 98728, French Polynesia

French Polynesia is famous for its stunning black pearls, so we stopped at a couple of pearl shops to learn more about them. We picked up a couple of souvenirs to bring home.

Where we stayed: Family Friendly Cooks Bay Hotel & Suite

We spent our one night in Moorea at Cooks Bay Hotel & Suites and absolutely loved it! Located right on the water with breathtaking views of the iconic bay, this hotel is peaceful, spacious, and the perfect home base for both relaxing and exploring the island.

Why we loved it as a family:

The one bedroom suite has a queen bed in the bedroom, and pull out sofa in the living area, ideal for a family with 2 adults and 2 kids. Each suite has a kitchenette with a fridge, stovetop, microwave, dishes, cups and silverware.

The hotel offers free parking, a pool, and a beach with direct access to the bay, complete with cabanas around both for lounging. Guests can take advantage of complimentary kayaks to explore Cook’s Bay, and there’s an on-site restaurant Le Cook serving delicious meals.

We spent the afternoon lounging by the pool while my brother and nephew took kayaks out into the bay. We enjoyed happy hour cocktails while enjoying the sunset, and even caught a rainbow after a quick tropical shower.

Dinner at the hotel’s Le Cook’s Restaurant & Bar was another highlight of our stay. Located right on the water, it offers stunning views of Cook’s Bay while you enjoy your meal. We tried the escargot, savored their take on poisson cru — the national dish of French Polynesia — and enjoyed live music. It was the perfect way to end a lovely day..

Day 2: Breakfast, Scenic Views and Island Eats:

The next morning, we thought about waking up early to join a tour to snorkel with reef sharks and stingrays in the bay. But after an action-packed week in Fakarava (where we did plenty of snorkeling and diving), we decided to slow down and soak in the beauty of Cook’s Bay.

I picked up some breakfast for us at nearby Caramel’In (they have excellent French pastries, coffee and juices) and we enjoyed it on our patio. We then took a last dip in the pool and the boys snorkeled right in front of the hotel beach before it was time to checkout.

After playing at the pool and beach, we worked up an appetite and grabbed lunch at a food truck called Pura Vida Moorea, right across from our hotel in Cook’s Bay.

Pura Vida Moorea is a must-visit spot for an authentic taste of the island, offering the freshest lagoon fish personally spearfished by the owner. They serve delicious poke bowls, fish tacos, and other fresh island flavors, with vegetarian options and quick, friendly service. The food truck is open Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It’s closed on Sundays.

With full bellies, we set off to explore the island by continuing to drive along the main road that circles Moorea. Our first stop was Oponohu Bay, where we found a beautiful spot to pause and snap some scenic photos.

After leaving Oponohu Bay, we drove past pineapple fields on our way up to Belvedere Lookout. From there, we got amazing views of both Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay. On the way back down, we stopped for some tasty tropical ice cream at the Lycee Agricole Oponohu (Moorea Agricultural School). We indulged in tropical local flavors like creamy coconut, mango, soursop, and Tahitian vanilla!

After we finished our afternoon snack, it was time to return our car and catch the last ferry of the day at 5:15 p.m. from Moorea back to Tahiti, where we made our way to the airport for our red-eye flight back to LAX.

Our brief stay in Moorea was the perfect way to end our bucket list French Polynesia adventure. The island’s stunning views, laid-back vibe, fresh seafood, and family-friendly Cooks Bay Hotel made every moment special. While we wish we had more time to explore, we cherish the time we spent there. If you’re planning a trip to French Polynesia, be sure to carve out at least a couple of days for Moorea – it’s a slice of paradise you won’t want to miss!

What’s on our list for next time:

If you get the chance to stay longer, Moorea offers plenty of responsible, eco-friendly tours and experiences to deepen your island adventure. These are some places that I’ve saved for our next visit:

• Alex Lagoon Tours — Small group snorkeling tours focused on close, respectful encounters with marine life like turtles, rays, and sharks. 
• Moorea Miti Tours — Combines cultural insight with boat tours that protect and honor the island’s fragile ecosystems. 
• For an ethical and respectful whale watching tour in Moorea, consider Moorea Eco Tour or. Moorea Ocean Adventures. Both operators emphasize responsible interactions with whales, following strict guidelines to minimize disturbance to the animals and their environment.  Whale season starts in August and extends through late November.

For land lovers, Moorea has beautiful and accessible hikes:

• Three Coconuts Pass (Col des Trois Cocotiers) — This moderately challenging hike takes about 3 to 4 hours round trip. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of both Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay, plus lush mountain scenery along the way. The trailhead is located near the Belvedere Lookout area, where parking is available.
• Belvedere Lookout Trail — A short and easy walk from the parking area at the Belvedere Lookout. This trail offers stunning views overlooking Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay — a perfect spot for photos and a relaxing break. Ideal for all fitness levels and great for those short on time.
• Afareaitu Waterfall Trail — A family-friendly hike that’s about 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip and takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. The trail leads you through tropical forest to several beautiful waterfalls and natural pools where you can cool off. Parking is available near the village of Afareaitu, making it an easy access point for families and casual hikers.

I hope this trip guide helps you plan your own magical trip to Moorea! For those who have been, if you have any other recommendations or favorite spots, please share them in the comments below!

Note: Our stay was hosted by Cook’s Bay Hotel and Suites, but all opinions and recommendations expressed in this post are our own. Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.