Moorea

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Revision as of 15:16, 10 March 2016

Mo'orea

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Mo'orea, in the Society Islands, French Polynesia.

(Click links for more information)
	17°32.0′S, 149°50.2′W
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Baie de Cook - click for larger view

Mo'orea is one of the more attractive cruising destinations in the Pacific. Like many of the other Society Islands it comprises a central high island surrounded by a fringing reef, containing several motus or smaller islands dotted around the reef.

Mo'orea is only a short day sail away from the larger and more populated Tahiti and although it lacks many of the facilities of Tahiti it offers a certain charm based on its more relaxed way of life and isolation from the hustle and bustle of Papeete.

Cruising the region

Charts

Source

Chart Number - Chart Name

Chart Number - Chart Name

Source

Chart Number - Chart Name

Radio Nets

There are no radio nets specific to Mo'orea. See French Polynesia Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Weather

See Society Islands Climate & Weather

Approach and Navigation

Although trade wind conditions will usually imply that a downwind run will be had between Tahiti and Mo'orea, the channel between the two islands is frequently windless at least on the Tahiti side. Expect to do some motoring here. In addition, the swell in the channel can be significant due to the effects of the nearby land masses as well as wake from the ferries that shuttle between the two islands.

It is, however, only a short trip.

Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)

There are no check in or customs facilities on Mo'orea. Complete all formalities in Papeete.

Berthing Options

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

There is a marina on the east coast of Mo'orea (despite this being the windward side, because of the closeness to Tahiti and the fringing reef it is quite sheltered), and a new marina in Baie de Cook on the north side.

Marina Vaiare

East coast, Moorea
Tel:+689 562697/564558 Fax:+689 562697.
Nominally they listen on VHF Channel 12 however do not expect this to be answered with any regularity.
This is only a small marina however some provisions are available. It would be better to stock up in Papeete, however. The marina has space for only a few boats but there is anchoring room nearby.

Cooks Bay

There is a new marina/yacht club in Cooks Bay, however I don't have any information on it. The current edition of the cruising guide obtained in Papeete should have the details.

Anchorages

The best anchorages in Mo'orea are in Cook Bay and Opunohu Bay, both of which are on the north of the island.

• Cook Bay contains a small marina and restaurant, as well as a number of shops
• Opunohu Bay to the west has fewer settlements. The main anchorage is at the head of the bay to the eastern side, shelter isn't perfect but holding is good in sand and mud with depths ranging from 3 to 15 metres. The anchorage is near the only freely accessible beach on the island. On the eastern side of Opunohu Bay is the village of Papetoai which contains a dinghy dock (enter this from the north only, coming from the east side may cause you to hit coral even in a dinghy), 3 useful shops and a scenic church
• Multihulls and other shallower drafted vessels may have some luck anchoring on the north side of the island, inside the lagoon to the west of Opunohu Bay

There is some confusion about the PGEM requirements in both of these bays. The latest information from Papeete seems to indicate that anchoring is allowed only at the head of each bay, whereas deeper in the bay there is no anchoring. Other cruising guides and charts seem to indicate anchoring room at the foot of each bay.

Offshore Islands

There are two medium sized motus with sandy beaches at the north west corner of the island. Both can be reached by dinghy from Opunuhu bay, although beware of the wash from larger vessels passing through the rather twisted channel leading to them. One of the motus contains a small beachside cafe, although if you do not speak French you may be refused service there.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

• There is a small village called Papeto'ai at the north western corner of Opunohu Bay. Finding the dinghy landing there can be tricky -- you almost have to go past the village, standing well off the shore (assuming you are coming from the Opunohu Bay direction) and find a large read beacon. Round this and pick your way through the reef. Once you find the dinghy landing it's easy to enter and a dinghy can be tied up there for short periods. There are 3 useful stores in the village.
• The north west corner of Mo'orea contains a number of resorts that have beach front restaurants. There is also sailboard/kiteboard hire here as well as some other businesses. It's a couple of miles in a dinghy from the anchorage in Opunohu Bay.
• The surrounds of Cooks Bay are rather more settled and have restaurants and takeaways ashore, as well as some shops.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Moorea on wikipedia.
• Moorea on wikivoyage.

References & Publications

See French Polynesia References & Publications

Personal Notes

Beach near the northern entrance of Opunohu Bay, Mo'orea

• Chiara Stella -- Mo'orea for a few days blog post.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Island & this page's details validated:

• Delatbabel - July 2014.

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Delatbabel