Sightseeing on Moorea

Cook’s Bay And Opunohu Bay

The stunning Cook’s Bay is one of the Pacifi c’s most beautiful natural sites. Opunohu Bay, a little hidden but equally picturesque, attracts as many sailors and artists as its sister bay.

Crossing Moorea

From Vaiare to Paopao: when on foot, this is best done with a guide. The barely-marked trail crosses pineapple plantations and other farms before arriving in the foothills of Mount Tearai and the ridge separating it from Mount Mou’a Puta. There’s a panoramic view that makes all the effort worthwhile. The track drops down rapidly towards the Paopao Valley through a bamboo forest and damp undergrowth.

3 Coconut Tree Hill

This hike should be done with a guide since it is easy to get lost. The walking trail starts at the junction of the inland roads of Paopao and Opunohu, called the Pineapple Trail. The trail, erratically marked out, crosses several rivers in “mape” (Tahitian chestnut tree) forests and undergrowth, then heads towards the foothills until it reaches the ridge. On this hill, formerly known for its three coconut palms, only one tree remains. The view is incredible: in the foreground lie the two bays and all of Moorea’s, with neighboring islands easily visible in the distance.

Mou’a Puta, The Mountain With The Pierced Hole

A guide is preferable for this hike. It’s unsuitable for those who suffer from vertigo. The hike uses the trail leading to the two waterfalls at Afareaitu. It crosses fern undergrowth and a forest of strangely shaped “mape” trees, before two hours’ climbing to reach the ridge. Over an hour of effort and care is needed to cross the ridge in order to reach the platform overhanging the hole, which is reached by abseiling, or rappelling ropes.

The only way to hold on inside the four-meter (13-ft.) wide is to straddle it. Three hours are needed for the descent.

Mount Rotui (900m/2,953 Ft.)

Only for experienced hikers and requiring a guide. The climb is very steep, with more than four hours of dangerous sections along the ridge. The view of the surrounding landscape is indescribable: the ancient volcanic crater dominated by the mountains Tohiea and Mou’a Puta, the two bays stretching out below, Tahiti in the distance.

museum : atitia cultural center

A refurbished botanical garden featuring endemic, medicinal, tinctorial and handicraft-destined plants; a “fare pote’e” (meeting house); a bioclimatic “fare“; an open air amphitheatre and a game area (cultural activities organized on request and big voyaging canoe on exhibit). The maritime area opposite the center site has been classified as a protected area by Tahiti’s Maritime Areas Management Plan (PGEM).

La Maison De La Nature Du Mou’a Roa

This beautiful Victorian-style guest house that serves as a departure point for all young and great adventurers on ecological excursions, on holiday or at a bed and breakfast, is nestled between two little rivers. The majestic peaks of Mou’a Roa and Tamarutofa loom in the background. The setting is in the middle of 450 hectares (1111 acres) of lush greenery. Nature’s wonders are waiting to be discovered along the well-known Four Bridges trail that goes by the residence, leading to the equally popular Three Coconut Trees Pass. There, you can admire Moorea’s most beautiful inlets - Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay, located on either side of Mount Rotui. Guests will also discover local cuisine and relax in this peaceful haven where the good life prevails (room and guest table upon booking, hike).

Tiki Village Theatre

Unique: Discover all of Polynesia in one day. Handicrafts with “tiki” sculptors, tattoo masters, “vahine” making fl ower crowns within the framework of a single village with traditional “fare”; Paul Gauguin’s “The House of Pleasure” and his paintings as well as “Fare Sylvain” and its photographs in black and white of the Tahiti of yore. The Black Pearl Farm demonstration where you will learn all the secrets of the Black Pearl of Tahiti.

The biggest Polynesian review at 8:45 pm: a spectacular dance show which tells about Tahitian legends all performed in the natural setting of an open air theater with 60 artists and the famous fi re dancers. Closed on Sunday and Monday.