Welcome to the Moorea cruise port guide. Moorea means “Yellow Lizard, but it also known by the nickname: the Magical island. And it truly feels like it is. The natural beauty of this island is stunning with peak that seem to rise up straight from the ocean. They say Moorea is just the remains of half a volcano, leaving a heart shaped island behind. It is a remote island in the pacific with only 16.000 inhabitants although it is very dependent on Tahiti which is just 17 km away from the island. When your cruise ship approaches the anchor spot it will first need to sail into its beautiful bright lagoon. Than it will approach the bay where it will need to drop anchor. It is amazing to see how your ship will be embraced by the turquoise water and the bay will show its first inside look into what paradise looks like. Whether you are planning on having a perfect day at the beach, explore the lush interior of the island or chasing down dolphins, you will have an amazing time of Moorea. It is simply hard not to. Read all about your cruise tender pier location and transportation options in the Moorea cruise port guide underneath:
Papetoai cruise port
Cruise ships will need to drop anchor either in Cook’s bay or Opunohu Bay. Tender boats will ferry you to shore.
At the cruise dock you will find your local souvenir market.
You will also see local tour operators at the cruise dock that will offer you bus tours to explore Moorea etc.
At the parking lot behind the cruise dock there might be some local taxis or other forms of transportation waiting.
Moorea – French Polynesia: tender port
There are two different locations where you ship can drop anchor and tender you to shore. There is Cook’s Bay, which is always the first chosen tender spot, and there is Opunohu Bay which is also known as Papetoai.
At both tender locations you will find a pier with a souvenir market closeby. The local specialities are Tahitian Sarongs, Black Pearl jewellery, tiki’s and local art work.
Behind the souvenir market is where you find the guys selling the local tours. They are often written out for you on big billboards.
Local shore excursions at the cruise dock
The local shore excursions often give you a scenic bus ride around the island. They either visit Belvedere, Marae (sacred sites), the pineapple fields, tropical garden and the distillery. Often a 2 hour local tour will sell for about USD 40, AUS 60 or EUR 40. Most of them are Jeep tours.
It basically comes down to this: there are 2 different bus tours sold on the cruise pier to independent travellers. They are both 2 hours and cost around 40 USD per person. You can also make a combo which will give you a discount.
Other than that there might be a snorkelling, dive or boat excursion offered on the pier, but there might also not be. If this would be your number 1 choice to do you’d be better of to not take your chances and book the ship’s excursion for it.
Beaches close to Moorea cruise port
There are no beaches within walking distance of the cruise dock. The locals often offer a shuttle service to the beach, or you can also opt for a local taxi. Keep in mind the shuttle or the taxi shouldn’t cost you more than 5 US dollar per person as its only a few kilometers.
Shuttle bus to the pearl factory
There is often also a shuttle bus offered to one of the local pearl factories.
Wi-fi
Moorea is simply not the port of call where you want to go search for wi-fi. You often have to go a long way to get a simple connection which is often not free. Your cruise itinerary often does a combination of Moorea and Tahiti. If that is the case, we highly recommend you to get your internet stuff done at one of the bars or restaurants in Papeete, Tahiti.
Things to see and do in Moorea:
– Have an dolphin encounter on a shore excursion. Moorea has a lot of dolphins around the island. Track them down with a local guide and have a close encounter with them.
– Visit the Fruit Juice Factory of Moorea where you get an inside look on the juice factory and distillery where they produce all kind of drinks from local ingredients like pineapple, coconut and vanilla.
– Wonder around the Tiki village and see their replica of Gauguin’s Maison de Jouir. There are an art gallery and black and white photos.
Belvedere Lookout is where you will have amazing views over the mountains of Moorea.
– Magic Mountain is known for its steep climb to the top, but rewarding views over the island.
