A heart-shaped volcanic island wrapped in electric-blue lagoon, just 17 km from Tahiti — where jagged basalt peaks overlook twin bays, rays glide beneath your snorkel, and a single mountain road connects it all.
⚓ Tender port (no pier)🕒 Typical call: 7–9 hrs💵 CFP Franc (XPF)🗣️ French / Tahitian
Docking
Tender into Cook's Bay
Walk to center
~10 min to Maharepa village
Best For
Snorkeling · Scenic drives
Don't Miss
Belvedere Lookout & lagoon rays
📄 Take this port with you
A printable port guide — key info, things to do & tips. Includes an editable “My Day in Port” box for your ship times & booked excursions.
Moorea is a tender-only port — ships anchor in or near Cook's Bay and run tenders ashore to the quay at Vaiare or the Cook's Bay dock.
Tender into paradise
1
Collect your tender ticketOnce anchored, the ship issues tender tickets. Ship excursion passengers board first; independent travelers follow. Rides take roughly 10–15 minutes.
2
Cook's Bay tender dockMost tenders land at the public quay on the southern shore of Cook's Bay near Maharepa village. Tour operators, rental cars, and taxis meet passengers here.
3
Getting around the islandThe RN1 coastal road circles the island (60 km total). Rent a car, scooter, or bicycle at the dock, join a 4x4/ATV tour, or take an organized ship excursion. Taxis exist but are pricey.
💡 Pro move: There is no dedicated cruise terminal — the tender dock is a working quay. Confirm tender schedule with the ship; last tender times can be tight, especially on busy days.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
Moorea has no cruise pier — all ships anchor and tender passengers ashore, typically to the Cook's Bay dock near Maharepa village.
Moorea packs jaw-dropping scenery, world-class lagoon snorkeling, and mountain adventures into a compact island you can cross in under an hour.
Nature
Lagoon Snorkeling with Rays & Reef Sharks
The most popular Moorea experience: wade or snorkel in shallow lagoon water alongside blacktip reef sharks and schools of stingrays in their natural habitat. Guides keep it safe and unforgettable.
Drive or ride up to the Belvedere viewpoint — also called Magic Mountain — for a panoramic sweep over both Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay with Mount Rotui in between. The signature photo of Moorea.
Tear up mountain trails through pineapple plantations, jungle valleys, and viewpoints in a 4x4 or on an ATV. Combines the Belvedere, Opunohu Valley, and off-road thrills in one circuit.
A re-created traditional Polynesian village on the lagoon edge near Haapiti, demonstrating tattooing, weaving, dance, and outrigger canoe building. Evening dance shows are a highlight.
Moorea's best public white-sand beach, on the northeast shore near the airport. Good snorkeling off the beach, shallow turquoise water, and a view back toward Tahiti.
Moorea grows some of the world's sweetest pineapples. The Manutea distillery near Haapiti offers tastings of pineapple juice, wines, and liqueurs, plus a look at the plantation.
Most of Moorea is best explored by vehicle, but the Cook's Bay shoreline and Maharepa village offer a pleasant stroll from the tender dock.
Cook's Bay Waterfront Stroll
~2 km · 45 min · easy
From the tender dock, walk the flat coastal road along Cook's Bay past small shops, the Moorea Handicraft Center, and waterfront snack bars. Enjoy views of the jagged peaks reflected in the bay.
A short walk from the Belvedere parking area along a viewpoint path gives unobstructed views over Opunohu Bay and the valley's vanilla plantations and marae archaeological sites below.
Climate normals for Moorea, Society Islands, French Polynesia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
Month
Avg High
Avg Low
Rainy Days
Sunrise
Sunset
Jan
81°F / 27°C
76°F / 24°C
24
5:37 AM
6:40 PM
Feb
81°F / 27°C
77°F / 25°C
20
5:54 AM
6:32 PM
Mar
82°F / 28°C
77°F / 25°C
21
6:02 AM
6:13 PM
Apr
81°F / 27°C
77°F / 25°C
20
6:08 AM
5:49 PM
May
81°F / 27°C
76°F / 24°C
15
6:17 AM
5:34 PM
Jun
79°F / 26°C
75°F / 24°C
15
6:27 AM
5:32 PM
Jul
78°F / 26°C
74°F / 23°C
12
6:30 AM
5:40 PM
Aug
78°F / 26°C
73°F / 23°C
13
6:18 AM
5:49 PM
Sep
78°F / 26°C
74°F / 23°C
13
5:54 AM
5:54 PM
Oct
79°F / 26°C
74°F / 23°C
16
5:30 AM
5:59 PM
Nov
79°F / 26°C
75°F / 24°C
20
5:15 AM
6:12 PM
Dec
81°F / 27°C
76°F / 24°C
22
5:19 AM
6:29 PM
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Insider Tips
⚓
Tender lines build fast. Independent travelers should head to the tender dock early in the morning. If the ship issues tickets, collect yours as soon as possible.
🚗
Rent a car or scooter at the dock. Rental agencies meet tenders; the RN1 coastal road is easy to navigate and lets you hit Belvedere, Temae Beach, and the pineapple farm in one day.
💵
Bring cash in XPF. The CFP franc is the local currency. Some vendors accept euros or USD but at poor rates. ATMs exist in Maharepa but can run out on busy ship days.
🦈
Book lagoon snorkeling early. Ray and reef shark encounters sell out quickly from the ship. Independent operators at the dock offer the same tours, sometimes cheaper.
🌧
Pack a light rain layer. Moorea's peaks generate sudden showers. It usually passes in minutes, but mountain tours can get wet — quick-dry clothes beat a soaked t-shirt.
🍍
Eat the pineapple. Moorea's Tahitian pineapples are famously sweet and low in acid — grab a fresh-cut bag at any roadside stand or the Manutea farm. One of the best things you'll taste on the ship day.
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ❌ Not available — use taxisNo Uber, Lyft, Grab, or other rideshare services operate in Moorea.🚍 Hop-on hop-off: ❌ No HOHO bus
🚕 Taxi
$13–$40 USD
Taxis meet tender boats at the pier. Starting fare ~1,500 XPF ($13 USD), then ~130 XPF/km. Always agree on price before departure — meters rarely used.
🚌 Guided Island Bus Tour
$53–$80 USD/person
Half-day guided bus tours depart from the cruise dock and cover highlights like Belvedere lookout, fruit juice factories, and archaeological sites. Book aboard or with dock operators.
🚗 Car Rental
$60–$100 USD/day
Avis, Europcar, and Hertz all operate on Moorea. A rental car lets you loop the 60km coastal road at your own pace — ideal for a full day in port.
🛵 Scooter / Bicycle Rental
$25–$50 USD/day
Scooters and e-bikes are widely available near the tender pier. The paved coastal road is manageable on two wheels and offers stunning lagoon views.
🚐 Le Truck (Local Bus)
~500 XPF ($4–5 USD)
Open-sided local buses run informal routes along the main coastal road. Infrequent with no fixed schedule — best for adventurous travelers with flexible timing.
Cruises Calling Here
Upcoming cruises that call at Moorea, Society Islands, French Polynesia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
