Moorea
Around the house
What to see and do on Moorea, with the road distance from the house. The coast road goes all the way round the island; a car is useful.
Viewpoints and hikes
Toatea viewpoint
5 km · 5 min
A platform above Temae beach, looking over the lagoon towards Tahiti. Free access from the coast road.
Opunohu Belvedere
12 km · 20 min
At the head of the Opunohu valley, a view over both bays, Opunohu and Cook’s, separated by Mount Rotui. Free access by car, parking and a picnic area; several marked trails start here.
Three Coconut Trees Pass
starts at the Belvedere, 12 km
A 6.6 km trail from the Belvedere up to a pass with views of Mount Rotui and both bays. Moderate difficulty. Muddy and slippery after rain: closed shoes, water, and start in the morning.
Culture and history
Marae Titiroa and archery platforms
11 km · 20 min
On the Belvedere road, a group of marae restored in 1969 and archery platforms, a practice specific to the Society Islands. Information panels. A sacred place: do not climb on the stones.
Marae Ahu-o-Mahine and the Ancestors’ trail
10.5 km · 15 min
From the marae on the Belvedere road, a marked path runs through a forest of mape (Tahitian chestnut trees) to Marae Ahu-o-Mahine. Allow about 1 h 30 for the full loop.
Papetoai church
15 km · 20 min
An octagonal Protestant church on Opunohu Bay. The stone building dates from 1887-1891 and replaced an earlier wooden church built on an ancient marae. A working church.
Public beaches
Temae beach
5 km · 5 min
A large public beach near the airport, with parking, showers and toilets. Swimming and snorkelling. No lifeguard: stay close to shore and do not walk on the coral.
Tahiamanu beach
10.5 km · 15 min
A public beach at the mouth of Opunohu Bay, with parking, shaded benches and toilets. It may be closed when heavy swell is forecast.
The bays
Cook’s Bay
Paopao, 5 km · 5 min
A bay about 3 km long at the foot of Mount Rotui, with the village of Paopao at its head. Despite the name, James Cook landed in neighbouring Opunohu Bay in 1777.
Opunohu Bay
13 km · 20 min
A bay about 3 km long, with the village of Papetoai on its western shore. James Cook landed here on 30 September 1777.
Whales and dolphins
Humpback whales
at sea
They are in French Polynesia from July to the end of October. Whale-watching trips are reserved for licensed operators, from 20 July to 20 November. An unlicensed boat stays more than 300 m away, no boat within 100 m, nobody within 15 m, swimmers included; watching is forbidden inside lagoons, bays and passes (rules of the Environment Department).
Dolphins
at sea
Spinner dolphins are the ones most often seen near the reef passes. They are protected: from a boat, never chase them; if they ride the bow, keep the same course and speed.
Island produce
Opunohu agricultural school
10 km · 15 min
On the Belvedere road, the school farms 20 hectares. Its shop, the Fare vente, sells the farm’s juices, jams and ice cream; a marked farm trail is free to walk (pineapples, citrus, flowers).
Manutea Tahiti
8 km · 10 min
At the foot of Mount Rotui, between the two bays: the Manutea distillery and the Rotui fruit juice factory, with visits, tastings and a shop.
Road distances from the house, rounded; times are a guide only. Before a hike or a trip out to sea, check the Météo-France weather warnings.