The most beautiful beaches of Moorea
Moorea, the pineapple island, has a pretty coastline. Embark on an unforgettable travel adventure in French Polynesia, where you can enjoy breathtaking tours, relax in a beautiful hotel surrounded by lush gardens, and explore the charm of the island's small villages and beaches.
There, you will find some of the most beautiful beaches of the Society Archipelago. They are called Temae , Ta'ahiamanu, Haapiti or Tiahura. They compete between beauty and their calls for relaxation, with coconut palms, turquoise water, and white sand in the background. Meanwhile, the seabed offers incredible encounters: sea turtles, rays, fish and friendly sharks welcome you into their world.
Depending on your final destination, you will start your island tour with 2 options. From your arrival in Vaiare, you can either head north by turning right or south by turning left when exiting the ferry terminal. Let's follow the road most taken, on the right, heading for Teavaro and Maharepa. Follow the guide to find the best beaches in Moorea !
Temae Beach: One of the Best Beaches in Moorea
The first swimming spot you will see is Nu'arei Bay, where the Sofitel Kia Ora Resort is located. Temae public beach is one of the most popular with visitors and residents alike, and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Its breathtaking landscape offers a stunning view of Tahiti.
A translucent lagoon, with amazing views of the ocean, the distant reef on which the waves hit in a soothing purr, blue and green colors vary according to the breeze and the clouds. A place easily called Paradise. Temae is a popular swimming spot, just grab your mask and snorkel and head for the coral outcrops for a breathtaking view: thousands of fish and their mesmerizing colors - sometimes unreal. You will discover the beauty of French Polynesia and enjoy total peace there since the area is protected. The crystal-clear waters offer ideal visibility for swimmers seeking to encounter the underwater fauna of the Pacific Ocean.
Free showers and toilets are available there.
Ta'ahiamanu public Beach : a little paradise
Unlike Tahiti's beaches, which are often adorned with black volcanic sand and pebbles, all Moorea's coasts are lined with white sand. Between the two bays of PaoPao and Ōpūnohu stretch a place renowned among tourists and locals in Moorea: Ta’ahiamanu public beach formerly known as Mareto. It's a must-see. Here, you will find, a Well-equipped and guarded parking, food trucks, trees offering shade, and a thick white sand beach, fully restored in 2019. The panorama immerses us over Ōpūnohu Bay, revealing the beauty of Moorea. But it is underwater that you will be astonished and fascinated by the fauna of French Polynesia. Once past the reef flat, there is a steep drop-off. Welcome to the kingdom of stingrays and eagle rays! You might also meet blacktip reef sharks patrolling at the bottom of the lagoon. The show is unforgettable.
The Great Hauru Beach: Tiahura, Haapiti
After Papetoai village, continue your island tour for a few kilometers, go over the former Intercontinental Moorea Hotel, then head to the “Petit Village.” There, over several kilometers, often public, sometimes privatized, the long beach of Haapiti is also prominent on the island, located near Tiahura beach. This area of the island is very touristic. There are countless water activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming withmarine animals (sharks and rays in particular), paddleboarding, license-free boats in the lagoon, kite surfing, jet-skiing, and boat trips... Are you a surfing enthusiast? Discover the most renowned islands’ surf spots.
After a swim in these turquoise waters, you will have various choices of snacks and restaurants, bars and food trucks, souvenir shops, and Tahitian pearls.
And don't miss the sunset on Haapiti beach after a day of swimming and enjoying the lagoon. A true postcard setting awaits you there. This serene, suspended moment is sure to be one of the most beautiful memories of your trip.
Tiahura Motu sandbar
From the beach of Hauru - on the northern tip of Moorea that separates the districts of Papetoai and Haapiti - three motu (islets) share the horizon together. In Moorea as in Bora Bora, or on every atoll in French Polynesia the motu offer some of the best beaches in Moorea. For a full discovery of the island, you can visit them on a boat tour on the lagoon with a guide.
Fare One is in the foreground, then you will discover Tiahura, the popular motu where people like to picnic on the beach. In the distance, finally, you will see a sandbank called Irioa, where, in addition to Mahina’s Pointe Venus (Tahiti), Cook’s naturalists set up a camp in 1769 to analyze the transit of Venus viewed from there.
Back to Tiahura. You really shouldn’t miss its sandbar. The water is colored with white, light yellow, emerald, and turquoise shades. The children are playing, the cooler is full of food and drinks, and conversations are going well. However, you might be interrupted… because a stingray comes to greet you.
In addition to public spots, beachfront hotels also have their own private beaches: Manava Beach Resort & Spa, Hilton Lagoon & Spa, the Kaveka and many others each have their own private beach.
What's the best snorkeling spot in Moorea?
Each of the magnificent seashores listed above offers incredible underwater discoveries. Temae is highly recommended for snorkeling, thanks to its crystal-clear water and unrivaled visibility.
North-west of Moorea, Tiahura also stands out: it offers a magnificent and particularly rich underwater world. The coral is home to a multitude of species, and further out, green turtles and leopard rays thrive.
Moorea has many other interesting snorkeling spots, such as the Motu Ahi coral garden, and exceptional scuba diving spots. By boat, too, the lagoon is well worth experiencing. Maybe you'll meet a dolphin or see a turtle pass beneath the crystal-clear water. Check with a local tour operator or diving center to enjoy both the lagoon and the beaches.
On your trip, enjoy the Polynesian experience: visit in the morning and relax in the afternoon. After your morning guided tours (on the ocean or hiking), find a good local seaside restaurant and spend the rest of the day at your favorite swimming spot! Find all about the things to do in Moorea here.
The hotels-resorts can organize a great day out for you to see all the wonders of Moorea: tour the island by road, hike up pineapple hill (and visit the pineapple juice factory), enjoy views of the bays, have a good lunch, and discover the beaches and lagoons...
Important reminder to travel safely: In every island of French Polynesia, many activities are available on the water. In Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and everywhere else, it is important to adopt the right precautions to share the beach and the lagoon with others in complete safety. Avoid any accident when going for a swimming or snorkeling session by indicating your presence at the surface. Use a floating object - like a signal buoy - visible to other sea users, such as jet skis and motor boats. Following this precaution can save your life in French Polynesia and on every island and beach of the world.
Your trip to Moorea is about to begin! Want to extend your Polynesian exploration? Check out Bora Bora's most beautiful beaches.
