Never in my life did I think I would make it to French Polynesia.
Rewind to November 2020, I came across an unbeatable deal for a Windstar Cruise departing from Papeete, Tahiti, and exploring the neighboring islands, including an overnight stay in Bora Bora. The cruise was for February 2021, which seemed far away. I am never the type of person to book anything in advance, as I always get anxious that things change along the way and I end up losing money.
However, the deal was one that I could not miss and one that was worth taking the risk for. I quickly researched the flights for that time period and decided to book the cruise for me and my mom. I was also tight on time as I came across it during the last few days of the sale.
Fast forward a few months up to February, I found the trip I was planning to be one of the most exhausting and stressful I have ever booked, as it was constant emails back and forth with the travel agent I had booked with, following up on the rules of entry into French Polynesia, vaccine requirements, etc.
I was so relieved once I reached Papeete, as I often doubted I would even make it there in the first place! Travel rules were constantly changing and I had to stay on top of it, constantly.
I knew French Polynesia as a super expensive destination, which is why the deal felt like the most affordable way to experience this stunning bucket list destination. However, it was wisest to reach there a few days earlier to get the peace of mind that I won't miss embarkation day (due to flight delays/cancellations, etc). So I did.
As Mo'orea was only a short ferry ride away from Papeete, I knew it would be the perfect island to spend those few days before my cruise. However, as I researched for places to stay, none seemed to fit my budget and that's when I had to opt for an AirBnB instead of a hotel (if you know me, then you'll know that I never book AirBnBs as I always prefer hotels).
I came across this Polynesian-style bungalow for only $90/night with breakfast included and knew it was a steal. The hosts were amazing and the breakfast included all local fresh fruits and homemade jams, made by the host, from the ingredients grown in her backyard. That was the first win and relief, after many stressful months of planning.
Our first day on the island was only for exploring and relaxation. We walked around, spent time by the water and in the hammock at the AirBnB. I booked a full day tour with Mo'orea Miti Tours for our second day.
An action-packed day, supporting a local small business also meant a full day of learning, fun and food. Some of the highlights of the tour included swim stops to give you the chance to explore the coral gardens and the opportunity to snorkel with the stingrays, sharks and colorful fish. We had lunch on a private motu (island), where we also had a cooking class and learned to make Poisson Cru (Tahitian Ceviche). No matter where we went, we were blessed with breathtaking views all day, local music and even got the chance to see dolphins and turtles in the wild.
Our guide was amazing, very knowledgeable and I must say it was probably one of the best tours I have done to date. It was one of the most memorable part of my trip. You can book this same tour right here.
On our last day, before we headed back to Papeete, we took a half-day tour, this time with Francky Franck Tours. This tour allowed us to explore the island, and we got the opportunity to sample local jams and juices.
We visited Cook's Bay, a vanilla plantation, a pineapple farm, learned about the different tropical plants at the garden and got a breathtaking view of Magic Mountain. It was a complete 360 from the water tour we had the day before, but we enjoyed it regardless. We got the opportunity to purchase some local products.
I truly believe that the memorable experience I had, from the lovely people I met on the island to the wonderful tour operators, all came together to influence Mo'orea turning into one of my favourite islands I have been to so far, and ultimately, the highlight of my trip to French Polynesia. It is an island that I would love to go back to, especially after seeing the different shades of blue. I cannot get enough of the water and the landscape.
Keep in mind that Mo'orea is also a lot more affordable than Bora Bora. I love that it is more easily accessible too, since the ferry ride is quite short.
Have you heard of Mo'orea and would you consider visiting?
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