Vacationing in Moorea

Travelling to French Polynesia feels like stepping a travel magazine - the views are that amazing in real life ... no photoshop needed!

We little added a stopover to our New Zealand trip, because when else would we get the chance to see these gorgeous islands. At first we had planned to go to Bora Bora, but after realizing that this involved an additional flight, we decided to go to Moorea, which is a short ferry ride from Tahiti (where the main airport is located).

Though maybe not as well known as Bora Bora, Moorea was named "The World's Most Beautiful Island You've Never Heard Of" by the Huffington Post, and it is pretty incredible. Lagoons, lush volcanic hills, and crystal clear water make for incredible views around every corner.

We stayed at the Intercontinental Moorea. It had some gorgeous overwater bungalows - but since these were a little too pricey, we opted to stay in the main hotel building. All rooms came with nice balcony, and were very comfortable. 

The swimming here was incredible - we rented kayaks and stand-up paddle boards and explored the lagoon, including swimming with sharks and sting-rays!

The main thing to keep in mind when booking a trip to Moorea is that food is very pricey. A simple burger at the hotel was over $25.00 USD, and the daily breakfast buffet was over $40.00 USD. To save a little money, stock up on snacks before you arrive, or rent a car and head out to some of the restaurants off the hotel property - plus this way you get to see a little more of the island. Don't miss the Belvedere Lookout!