Must-see attractions in Mo'orea

  • Top Choice
    Cook’s Bay

    The spectacular Cook’s Bay is something of a misnomer because Cook actually anchored in Opunohu Bay. With Mt Rotui as a backdrop, Cook’s Bay is a lovely…

  • Top Choice
    Opunohu Bay

    Magnificent Opunohu Bay feels wonderfully fresh and isolated. The coastal road rounds Mt Rotui, and at about PK14 turns inland along the eastern side of…

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    Hauru Point

    The coastal road rounds Hauru Point, the northwestern corner of the island, between PK25 and PK30. Hauru Point has one of the best beaches on the island,…

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    Moorea Tropical Garden

    This delightfully peaceful property perched on a small plateau is heaven on earth for the sweet-toothed, who can sample (and buy) homemade organic jams,…

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    Lycée Agricole

    A small shop at the college sells jams in local flavours as well as honey, coffee, fruit juices and, on occasion, ice cream. If you’ve got itchy feet,…

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    Marae Titiroa & Marae Ahu-o-Mahine

    Past the agricultural college, the valley road comes to a parking area beside this vast complex, on the edge of a dense forest of magnificent chestnut…

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    Ta’ahiamanu Beach

    At last, a public beach! Ta’ahiamanu (Mareto) Beach is one of the few public access beaches on the island. This narrow stretch of white sand is a popular…

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    Magical Mountain

    At PK21, a cement road veers inland and makes a very steep climb to a lookout called ‘Magical Mountain’, at a height of 209m. It's an arduous, 45-minute…

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    Temae Beach

    The best beach on the east coast, and the widest perhaps in all of French Polynesia, stretches from Teavaro round to the airport. The Sofitel Ia Ora…

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    Papetoai

    A busy little village with a few shops and services, Papetoai was established as the Pacific headquarters of the London Missionary Society (LMS) in 1811…

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    Maison Blanche

    In Maharepa, you can't miss this early-20th-century building on the mountain side of the road. It's a fine example of a fare vanira, a plantation house…

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    Belvédère

    Up the Opunohu valley road, this lookout is the island's highest point accessible by car. It offers superb views of Opunohu and Cook's bays, Mt Rotui …

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    Haapiti

    The largest village on the west coast, Haapiti is home to the splendid twin-towered Catholic Église de la Sainte Famille, which is made of coral and lime…

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    Marae Fare Aito

    This large marae has a small, raised-terrace ahu (altar), and back rests that were used by the priests. It is flanked by two crescent-shaped archery…

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    Vaiare

    The constant toing and froing of ferry boats and high-speed catamarans at the ferry quay, the busy market scene and the cars, taxis and buses shuttling…

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    Toatea Lookout

    This spot really fits the picture-postcard ideal. Atop the hill north of the Sofitel la Ora Moorea Beach Resort, this lookout affords dazzling views of…

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    Painapo Beach

    You can’t miss the huge (though falling apart) statue of a tattooed man holding a club at the entrance of this private property overlooking a lovely strip…

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    Afareaitu

    Afareaitu is the island’s administrative centre. There are two waterfalls that are worth a gander (although they are but feeble trickles in winter). Ask…

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    Atiha Bay

    Mo’orea’s lazy west-coast atmosphere continues right round to Atiha Bay (Baie d’Atiha), a quiet fishing village that also attracts surfers.