Getting Here and Around
Moorea is the easiest island to get to from Tahiti. Four different vessels make the 19-km (12-mi) crossing, taking 30 to 50 minutes depending on their size and the number of vehicles they carry. All boats depart from the Gallieni Quay in the heart of Pape'ete. Fares range from 900 to 1,060 CFP one-way.
Distances on the island are marked in kilometers and PK (pointes kilometer) markers are on the side of the road. The 0 PK marker is at the airport at Temae. Distances are measured in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The markers meet at Haapiti, which is PK 24 along the clockwise route, and PK 37 along the counterclockwise route. Note that some people refer to the clockwise route as the southern, and counterclockwise as the northern route. Just remember which way you're going.
Though you can rent cars, scooters, and bicycles on Moorea, the 137-sqaure-km (53-square-mi) island is extremely rugged, so it's advisable to take an organized 4WD safari tour to see the island's interior. The coastal road, however, is flat and at just 61 km (38 mi) is an easy drive and a good day's cycle trip, but only if you're very fit and can handle the humidity. You can also rent bugsters (they look like small dune buggies) and "fun bikes," which are a cross between a bike and a car and involve both people pedaling. Most resorts can also rent bicycles to their guests. Three rental car companies—Albert Rent-a-Car, Avis Pacificar, and Europcar—have booths at the airport. Rates are competitive and range from 8,500 to 10,000 CFP (depending on car size) for a 24-hour rental period. There's a gas station—Total Tiahura—at Petit Village with a mechanic on duty six days a week.
Air Moorea, a division of Air Tahiti, operates an eight-minute flight between Tahiti and Moorea, about 40 times a day, with one-way fares costing 4,200 CFP (daytime) and 8,400 CFP (night flights). Air Tahiti connects Moorea with Bora Bora about three times a day; with Huahine daily; and with Raiatea about six days a week. A "Bora Bora Airpass" (one of several air passes) will connect Tahiti-Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, and Maupiti-Tahiti and cost 36,800 CFP.
If your hotel is not picking you up at Moorea Airport, you can prepay for a transfer when you buy your domestic air ticket at Tahiti-Faa'a airport in Pape'ete and look for the Moorea Transport coach operator on you arrival. You can also take a taxi, but they are pretty expensive. An average fare from the airport to the west coast (near the InterContinental resort) is more than US$35. The night fares can be double the day prices. There's also the famous L'Truck public transport that takes passengers from the ferry port at Vaiare to various hotels along the north and northwest coast; all you need do is hail it down.
