What to do in Moorea
Between turquoise lagoon, lush mountains and vibrant Polynesian culture, Moorea invites you to slow down, explore and marvel. From Cook’s Bay, we help you discover the experiences that give the island its depth.
Experiences that really tell the Moorea story
Moorea is more than just a picture postcard. The island boasts a translucent lagoon, spectacular landscapes, a generous natural environment and a way of life in which Polynesia is still very much alive. To organize your stay, it’s useful to think of Moorea in terms of three main worlds: the lagoon, the mountains and well-being. This is often what makes for a well-balanced trip, just as enjoyable for a few days as a couple as for a family holiday.
The lagoon, the living heart of the island
Moorea’s lagoon is one of the great reasons to come here. Boat trips, snorkeling, diving and observation of stingrays, turtles and blacktip sharks allow you to discover the richness of the lagoon, with its light, coral and crystal-clear waters.
The mountains, Moorea's other face
Well-being in a gentler rhythm
Moorea also lends itself to a more calming approach to your stay. Weekly yoga and massages balance the day’s excursions with calmer moments, in a deeply Polynesian spirit.
The Moorea lagoon, between discovery and wonder
Water sports play a central role in a stay on Moorea. They enable you to discover the island up close to its light, its marine life and its most emblematic landscapes. Depending on the mood of the moment, the experience can be contemplative, sporty or more immersive.
Scuba diving
Moorea is a prime location for scuba diving, with crystal-clear waters, a wealth of marine life and ideal conditions for exploring the island’s seabed. It’s also a veritable paradise for turtles, whose sightings are daily and often abundant. Beginners can enjoy their first dives in complete serenity, while more experienced divers can enjoy remarkable underwater landscapes and unforgettable marine encounters.
A day on the lagoon
Exploring the lagoon’s most emblematic sites is one of the island’s great experiences. Boat trips allow you to spend time swimming, snorkeling and getting up close to a wide variety of species such as blacktip sharks, stingrays and turtles. The page also features a lunch on a motu nestled on the island’s west coast, giving this excursion a particularly Moorean tone.
Meet the whales
Humpback whale watching (August to October) is offered by private boat for the day or shared boat for half a day. The experience consists of being guided up close to whales and other pelagic animals in Moorea’s tropical waters. It’s one of the island’s most memorable excursions, season permitting.
Cut coral
In Moorea, the lagoon can also be discovered at its most fragile and precious. With Hello Reef Tahiti, coral cuttings provide a close-up view of the reef restoration work carried out on the island over the last 20 years. Using ecologically harvested fragments, the cuttings are cultivated and then transplanted into the lagoon, using a method inspired by aquariology and designed to respect the ecosystem. An experience that is both sensitive and educational, and deeply linked to the preservation of Moorea.
Scuba diving
Moorea is a prime location for scuba diving, with crystal-clear waters, a wealth of marine life and ideal conditions for exploring the island’s seabed. It’s also a veritable paradise for turtles, whose sightings are daily and often abundant. Beginners can enjoy their first dives in complete serenity, while more experienced divers can enjoy remarkable underwater landscapes and unforgettable marine encounters.
A day on the lagoon
Exploring the lagoon’s most emblematic sites is one of the island’s great experiences. Boat trips allow you to spend time swimming, snorkeling and getting up close to a wide variety of species such as blacktip sharks, stingrays and turtles. The page also features a lunch on a motu nestled on the island’s west coast, giving this excursion a particularly Moorean tone.
Meet the whales
Humpback whale watching is offered by private boat for the day or shared boat for half a day. The experience consists of being guided up close to whales and other pelagic animals in Moorea’s tropical waters. It’s one of the island’s most memorable excursions, season permitting.
Cut coral
In Moorea, the lagoon can also be discovered at its most fragile and precious. With Hello Reef Tahiti, coral cuttings provide a close-up view of the reef restoration work carried out on the island over the last 20 years. Using ecologically harvested fragments, the cuttings are cultivated and then transplanted into the lagoon, using a method inspired by aquariology and designed to respect the ecosystem. An experience that is both sensitive and educational, and deeply linked to the preservation of Moorea.
Moorea on land, between relief, legends and panoramas
The island can also be discovered via its roads, valleys and paths. The land-based activities suggested on this page allow you to approach Moorea from a more adventurous angle, but also a more cultural one, with a direct link to the landscapes and Maohi legends.
The practice of yoga
Yoga is one of the experiences on offer at the hotel. Weekly sessions are organized in the upstairs studio. It’s a great way to slow down, find a calmer rhythm and experience the island in a different way from the excursions on offer.
Massages & treatments
To extend this dimension of well-being, the Maison Baia institute located directly opposite the hotel is a veritable sanctuary dedicated to calming the mind and revitalizing the body. This proposal naturally complements the island’s activities, providing a gentler alternative, particularly pleasant after a
sea excursion, hike or tour of the island.
How to get to Moorea
Coming by air
Moorea is connected to Tahiti by short flights. This is the quickest option if you want to arrive “direct” on the island and start your vacation straight away.
Coming by sea
Ferries run regularly from Tahiti (allow 30 to 45 minutes depending on the company). Please note: there are no night crossings, so plan ahead if your flight arrives late.
Good to know if you arrive late in Tahiti
If your plane lands late, it’s often easier to spend the night in Tahiti and get to Moorea the next morning in good conditions.
Frequently asked questions about what to do in Moorea
What's the best thing to do in Moorea?
In Moorea, the best thing to do is: a lagoon trip (snorkeling with stingrays and tropical fish), discover the Cook and Opunohu baysa hike to admire the viewpoints, and a more “natural” experience such as whale watching whale watching in season.
Can you see whales in Moorea?
Yes, we can organize dedicated humpback whale-watching trips (August to October), by private boat for the day or shared boat for half a day.
What water sports activities are available in Moorea?
Scuba diving, boat trips on the lagoon, whale watching and a coral cutting activity with snorkeling are the activities to do in Moorea.
What land-based activities are available in Moorea?
Land-based activities include parasailing, 4×4 safaris, quad biking adventures and guided hikes.
Is yoga available at Cook's Bay Hotel & Suites?
Yes, weekly yoga sessions are organized in the studio on the hotel’s first floor.
How do I get to Moorea from Tahiti?
Moorea can be reached by plane in around 10 minutes from Tahiti Faa’a, or by ferry in around 30 to 45 minutes from the Papeete ferry terminal.
Is Moorea ideal for a short break?
Yes, the wide range of water, land and wellness activities described on this page makes it easy to put together a rich and varied stay over several days.
