Ferry to Moorea?

[Second seating]

There is ferry service to Moorea near where the ship docks in Papeete. Does anyone know where this ferry docks in Moorea?

 

Deana

[nancycoop1]

Hi - we plan on using the ferry to Moorea. I understand it docks at Viaire in Moorea. There should be car rentals and other transportation at the dock.

[Kathy Z]

Yes, the ferry dock is at Vaiare. If you have a map of Moorea (sort of valentine heart shape, but with two deep bays on top) you will find Vaiare on the eastern side. The ferry dock is south of the airport (which is sort of at the northeast edge).

[Second seating]

Does anyone know of a nice beach nearby Varari? We want to go to Moorea for the extra day in Papeete before the cruise starts.

 

Deana

[jody]

We were on Moorea on Sunday. We asked our tour guide (Albert Tours) to take us to a beach and he took us to a very tiny beach at a non-name brand hotel (which I cannot remember the name of, off hand). I'm not sure if there is a 'public' beach anywhere in Moorea. The Sheraton has a nice beach that you could probably hang out at for the day. Please know that French Polynesia does not have beaches as you might expect in the Caribbean. There are often very tiny and sometimes rocky. Be sure to bring water socks with you for when you are walking on the beach or in the water.

 

Also, there are limited taxi's at the Moorea dock and they may only take local money, so grab one as soon as you leave the ferry. One couple ended up having to rent a car because all the taxi's left while they went to the bathroom after exiting the ferry and they didn't want to wait an hour for another taxi to show up. We paid 3,000 cpf for a Taxi to the Sheraton for 2 but only 1,100 for 2 transfers (purchased from the hotel) on the way back to the ferry. Transfers are cheaper if you can arrange them in advance.

[Kathy Z]

The Sofitel Ia Ora Moorea hotel is a short distance away (It's between the airport and the ferry dock - apparently about 1.2 miles from either). Take a look at their website: http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/resort/0566/fiche_hotel.shtml. You could contact them by email and see if they would welcome day guests (perhaps for a modest fee or by purchasing lunch from them). It should be easy to both get a cab there and have the hotel call a cab when it's time to get back to the ferry. There is a public beach (Temae) just north of the Sofitel.

[laurasue]

If I'm correct in my recollection, all beaches are technically public in Moorea. However, like Jody said, the beaches aren't what you'd expect in the Caribbean. Cabs will be pricey, depending on how far you're going. Busses can be a good bet, the don't operate on a bus schedule like we're used in the US, they run based on the ferry schedule. Otherwise, transfers are usually the most economical. Also keep in mind that (at least when we were there) the ferry schedule is geared towards the people who commute between Moorea and Tahiti, only a few run at off "rush hour" times. :o)

 

Have fun, Moorea is beautiful! I recommend the 4x4 tour as a great way to see the island and have a little fun. It's great bang for your buck. If you're in Moorea on the right day (Sun or Thurs for Dr. Poole's excursion), the dolphin watch tour is worth the $, plus you get to tour the island by boat, do a little snorkeling if you bring your own gear. And seeing the dolphins in the wild was a great experience. Something to consider!

[Second seating]

"like Jody said, the beaches aren't what you'd expect in the Caribbean. Cabs will be pricey,

 

Have fun, Moorea is beautiful! I recommend the 4x4 tour as a great way to see the island and have a little fun. It's great bang for your buck. If you're in Moorea on the right day (Sun or Thurs for Dr. Poole's excursion), the dolphin watch tour is worth the $, plus you get to tour the island by boat, do a little snorkeling if you bring your own gear. And seeing the dolphins in the wild was a great experience. Something to consider!"

 

Thanks for the information, this will be our second crusie in Tahiti, we did the Dr. Poole excursion last time and we have signed up again. We know about bringing your on snorkeling gear (we bought all the stuff for the last cruise in Tahiti). It is information like this that made our last cruise perfect!

 

Thanks,

Deana

[laurieb]

there is a public beach next to the sofitel. the area is great for snorkeling and sunning. we went to the sofitel the first time we were there, paid 5pp for use of chairs and restrooms. you can use their beach for free, just no chairs. you don't need a cab, you can hop on le truck for cheap, they will drop you wherever you like. you may have to arrange a cab back to the ferry. the snorkeling is great there.

[KarenandDavid]

The hotel Jody talked about was called Les Tipanniers. It was mid-range and we had lunch there and they called a cab for us from the front desk. It cost us $1200 cpf for 6 of us so was the best buy of the trip.

 

 

Karen