Discover Moorea’s magnificent lagoon on one of the many excursions for a half day, full day, or even longer. Touring The Islands of Tahiti by sailboat, catamaran or on a cruise is an excellent way to see the islands from a different angle and appreciate some of the lesser-known beauty spots in French Polynesia.

The island of Moorea is famous for its magnificent lagoon, and the best way to see it is on a boat excursion. The water is crystal clear and all the shades of turquoise and blue, and the multi-colored coral reef is teeming with sealife, including manta rays and harmless blacktip sharks. Alternatively, take a guided tour of the lagoon by paddleboard and at Papetoai, dive down to see the submerged tiki sculptures. You can also rent a glass bottomed kayak or go snorkeling to admire the tropical fish. Drive or cycle to the stunning Opunohu Bay and the public beach at Ta’ahiamanu. And there’s no more romantic way to end the day than with a sunset cruise on a catamaran, sailing in the bays of Moorea’s lagoon.

Day trip to a motu

You can reserve day trip to one of the many motu in Moorea’s lagoon. The price includes the crossing from Papeete, a tour of the lagoon, a halt to swim with some mata rays and inoffensive blacktip sharks and a picnic at the water’s edge on an idyllic motu. You can make your reservation by telephone or online, and to avoid disappointment, we recommend that you do so well in advance, because the day trip to a motu is a very popular activity for locals as well as tourists.

A good way to discover some of the treasures of Moorea’s lagoon is to go on a kayak excursion with a local guide. You can admire the beautiful coral and multitudes of tropical fish and learn some of the myths and legends of this island paradise at the same time. The pace is easy – you’re on vacation! -and the views of the island are stunning. At the end of the day, visit one of the authentic coastal villages and enjoy the calmness and warmth of a Polynesian evening.

Discover Moorea’s sublime beaches

Moorea has many beautiful beaches for you to discover, either by touring round the island’s coastal road or by approaching from the sea. And if you stay in a hotel on the beach, you’ll be perfectly placed to admire the glorious sunrises and sunsets for which the island is famous.

Discover a beach paradise _©_Grégoire Le Bacon
Discover a beach paradise _©_Grégoire Le Bacon

One of Moorea’s best beaches is Temae. Situated in the northeast of the island, it is ideal for snorkeling. Another is the Plage des Tipaniers (Frangipani Beach) in the northwest, where you can hire kayaks to observe the manta rays and inoffensive blacktip sharks. And between these two sublime beaches is Ta’ahiamanu beach, a magical, peaceful paradise.

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