From issue 150 of Adventure Magazine
Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Tahiti’s capital, Moorea rises from the sea like a sculpted in basalt. Its name means yellow lizard in Tahitian legend—though these days it’s more famous for its shark-tooth mountains, lush interiors, and lagoon so clear it could make glass jealous. Moorea is where the action lives—not the tourist trap kind, but the raw, salt-sprayed, heart-in-your-throat type. Here are five reasons to ditch the pool lounger.
Stingray Feeding in the Lagoon – Not Your Average Handshake
You’re waist-deep in Moorea’s warm lagoon, when out of the blue, something smooth and silent brushes past your legs. It’s a stingray—dozens of them, gliding like ghosts in the shallows, looking for a snack and a scratch behind the… gills? These gentle creatures gather daily just offshore for guided feeding sessions. It’s thrilling, humbling, and slightly surreal—like shaking hands with a pancake that’s alive and curious. You’ll also meet blacktip reef sharks in the area. It’s safe, it’s wild, and it’s a direct handshake with the sea.
Humpback Whale Watching – Giants in the Blue
From July to November, Moorea becomes a front-row seat to one of the ocean’s greatest shows. Humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to calve and nurse in these warm waters. This isn’t a boat-around-and-hope-for-the-best situation—Moorea is one of the few places in the world where you can legally snorkel alongside these 40-ton wanderers. With expert guides, you’ll float silently in the blue, heart pounding, as these marine monoliths cruise past. It’s not spiritual—it’s electric. Like watching a bus swim.
Pedal-Powered Adventure – Bike Moorea’s Coast and Heart
Moorea’s ring road is 60km of pure postcard, and cycling it is the best way to feel every twist of coast and whiff of tiare flower. Rent an e-bike or a mountain bike and go rogue. Hit Belvedere Lookout for panoramic views over Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay—bonus points if your thighs still work at the top. Stop at roadside fruit stalls, beaches with no names, and locals selling coconut ice cream from the boot of their car.
4. Jet Ski the Lagoon – Throttle, Spray, Repeat
There’s something primal about riding a jet ski across Moorea’s turquoise lagoon. You’re flying over the surface, carving turns around coral heads, with the sun on your back and a rooster tail of spray in your wake. Guided tours take you deep into the lagoon and out to reef breaks, often stopping to let you swim with rays or spot dolphins. It’s speed with scenery—power and paradise rolled into one.
Read the Full Story in the issue 150
