{"id":12470,"date":"2026-07-10T11:17:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T09:17:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturelfes.com\/?p=12470"},"modified":"2026-07-10T12:06:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T10:06:20","slug":"moorea-between-jungle-and-unforgettable-moments-at-sea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturelfes.com\/en\/moorea-between-jungle-and-unforgettable-moments-at-sea\/","title":{"rendered":"Moorea: between jungle and unforgettable moments at sea"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Moorea: between jungle and unforgettable moments at sea<\/h1>\n\n
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Moorea is an island I found just as stunning on land as it is at sea. It’s where I truly discovered the lush Polynesian jungle, staying right in the heart of it. But above all, it’s here that I lived one of the most beautiful experiences of my life: swimming with humpback whales and \u2014 most incredibly \u2014 hearing them sing. <\/p>\n\n

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When<\/strong>: Mid-October 2018Location:<\/strong> Moorea, Leeward Islands, French PolynesiaWhat<\/strong> to do<\/strong>: Snorkeling, whale watching excursion, hiking, island tour<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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The place in a few words<\/h2>\n\n
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Moorea is an island in the Society archipelago, in French Polynesia, nicknamed “Tahiti’s sister island” \u2014 located just 17 km away. Home to around 17,000 inhabitants spread across several coastal villages, it takes its Tahitian name Mo’ore’a from a local legend meaning “yellow lizard”. With its 134 km\u00b2 and highest peak, Mount Tohiea<\/strong> at 1,207 meters, Moorea offers breathtaking scenery between tropical jungle and lagoon. Its two main bays, Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay<\/strong>, are considered among the most beautiful in the world. <\/p>\n\n

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Practical information<\/h2>\n\n
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Moorea is accessible from Tahiti by ferry \u2014 the crossing takes less than 30 minutes and you even have a chance of spotting whales along the way! Budget around \u20ac20 per person for a round trip on foot.To get around the island, renting a car is ideal. The main road is about 60 km long \u2014 allow half a day with stops. We rented a car for the duration of our stay, though my friend living in Tahiti got a discounted rate, so it’s hard to give you a price reference. To compare prices, check out Carigami<\/a><\/strong>. One tip<\/strong>: make sure to take out all available insurance, especially windshield and undercarriage coverage. During our stay, my friend unfortunately scraped the bottom of the car door and, having skipped the insurance, ended up paying a hefty repair bill! For accommodation, the options are wide-ranging \u2014 from luxury hotels with overwater bungalows to much more affordable family guesthouses.\ud83d\udccd<\/strong> Good to know<\/em><\/strong> : French Polynesia has two seasons, a dry season from May to October and a wet season from November to April. The dry season is the ideal time to visit Bora Bora, with less rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures. That said, it’s warm all year round! <\/em><\/p>\n\n

We spent 4 nights at Pension Haere Mai I Te Fare<\/a><\/strong>, nestled in the middle of lush vegetation. We were warmly welcomed by the owner Lucie and her three adorable dogs! The bungalow was simple but charming \u2014 the bathroom was outside and we literally lived outdoors, which is absolutely wonderful when you love nature. Worth knowing: inland, the humidity is significant and drying clothes was practically impossible \ud83d\ude09. During my stay, I paid \u20ac94 per night for two with breakfast included \u2014 prices may have changed since then. <\/div>