From Tahiti, the island of Moorea is certainly the most accessible destination in terms of organization and time. From Europe or North America, getting to Moorea is relatively easy. On the other hand, travelers wishing to visit other additional islands will have to ask themselves the question of itineraries in French Polynesia. So where will Moorea fit in during your Pacific Island trip? Here are our step-by-step guide to prepare your visit to Moorea.
Step 1: Choose Your Flight to French Polynesia
When to Go to Moorea?
The best time to visit Moorea is between May and October, during the dry season. The temperatures remain high and you can fully enjoy the beauty of the islands. Less rainfall and therefore less humidity in the air: the conditions are therefore optimal. The island is very popular during the summer period. First, international tourists come for the quality of the hotels and the numerous activities. Second, many Tahitian residents on vacation take advantage of the island’s geographic proximity to spend a few days. As a result, the number of visitors who travel to Moorea increases significantly during the months of July and August.
We advise you to come between May and June and between mid-September and October. On the one hand, international flight prices will be significantly cheaper during these periods. You will also enjoy the more authentic local life. The period from July to August remains an excellent choice. You will just have to deal with a higher number of visitors and therefore the need to be more well organized.
Book Your International Flights Transfers
Now you can book your ticket to Tahiti, where the only international airport of French Polynesia is located. Depending on the time of year, the fare for round-trip flights vary between $1100 and $2900.
From Europe, flights leave from Paris and are not direct. Passengers will necessarily transit through the North American continent. For the technical stopovers planned in the United States, you must have an electronic travel authorization (ESTA). This is a simple administrative measure, mandatory and with fees (about $12). An online application is possible up to one week before departure.
For travelers coming from the West Coast of the United States, there are direct flights to Los Angeles and Tahiti. For citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, only a valid passport is required. No visa or electronic authorization will be required upon arrival in French Polynesia.
Step 2: Plan an Itinerary
Getting to Moorea, and Then?
It is quite possible to stay on Moorea for the duration of your stay. Some decide to visit other islands as well. For those, the question of an itinerary quickly arises. You will have to define the islands to visit, the number of days on each one and the order in which you will visit them. In such an itinerary, when should you go to Moorea?
The question is not as simple as it seems. The rarity of flights means that they are often full. As a result, resorts and accommodations in some remote destinations may be unavailable. We recommend that you find a hotel in Moorea as soon as possible and make your reservations eight to twelve months in advance. It is a balancing act to match domestic flights with the availability of the chosen accommodation. Fortunately, Air Tahiti makes it easy for you with its multi-island passes, which is definitely worth the money.
Choose Your Itinerary With Air Tahiti Passes
The Air Tahiti Passes allow you to visit several islands in specific circuits. You can choose the destinations you want to visit in a fixed itinerary. However, there are two constraints: you cannot change the order of your stops and you cannot go back to an island. Four Air Tahiti Passes allow you to go to Moorea from Tahiti and back: Discovery, Bora-Bora, Lagons and Bora-Tuamotu.
When starting from Tahiti, it is preferable to place Moorea at the beginning or at the end of your itinerary. This will greatly facilitate access to flights to airports with limited service and will avoid return trips between islands.
However, Air Tahiti airline allows travelers to start their tour directly from Moorea. If this feature does not appear on the online applications, you can still request it by filling out the airline’s special assistance form on their website. By setting Moorea as your point of departure, you will have an additional destination on your itinerary. You can then simply take the ferry between the ports of Papeete on Tahiti and Vaiare on Moorea.
Step 3: How to Get to Moorea From Tahiti
A Tahiti-Moorea flight only lasts about 20 minutes. In addition to a high price, taking the plane will make you miss out on a nice boat trip, during which you can admire the view of a splendid landscape and maybe even spot some whales. If you have the time, we advise you to ride a boat from the ferry dock of Papeete. From Tahiti, the Aremiti and Terevau ferry companies provide a daily shuttle to the port of Vaiare on Moorea. Departures are scheduled every hour. It takes about 45 minutes to make the crossing. Tickets can be purchased at the pier in Papeete and cost a fraction of a plane ticket.
At the ferry terminal, you can take a taxi to your resort in Moorea. However, it is advisable to book a driver before disembarking from the ferry. If you request it, your hotel can also provide transportation with a shuttle or a private vehicle. If you have a reservation for a car rental in Moorea, this would be a good spot to get it delivered to you.
Your Vacation in Moorea Can Begin
Once you arrive at your hotel, you can finally put your bags down and enjoy the best things to do in Moorea. The turquoise lagoon and the magical mountains await you. Are you wondering which itinerary to choose to discover Moorea and French Polynesia? Contact us to get more information about the ways to experience Moorea’s beauty.
Are you ready to book? You can do so online today!
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