Temae Beach, Moorea | Top 100 Bikini Destinations
MOOREA, SOCIETY ISLANDS / FRENCH POLYNESIA
Across the lagoon.
Temae Beach.
Take the ferry to Moorea, start with a lagoon swim and leave time for the road above the bays.
Plan your beach day ↘TOP 150 BIKINI DESTINATIONS / OCEANIA
A morning on
Moorea’s east shore.
Temae Beach runs along Moorea’s northeastern lagoon, with a white sand shoreline and a view across the channel to Tahiti.
Go early for shade and a quieter shoreline. After the beach, head toward Maharepa for lunch or follow the north coast to Cook’s Bay.
ON THE WORLD MAP
Across from Tahiti.
Temae Beach, Moorea, French Polynesia
01 / GETTING THERE
Start on Tahiti.
Arriving at Vaiare
The crossing ends at Moorea’s east-coast harbor, a short drive south of Temae.
Photo: Ian Sewell · CC BY 2.5Get around Moorea
From Vaiare, drive north on the ring road and follow the public beach signs near the airport. A rental car makes it easier to reach the bays and get back after dinner.
On the beach
A staffed lifeguard schedule could not be confirmed. Swim with a companion in calm water near shore, and skip the water if the current is pulling toward the pass. Beach status ↗
02 / BEACH ESSENTIALS
Know before you go.
Temae has a public entrance and a broad lagoon shore. Bring what you need for the beach itself.
01 / HOW TO GET THERE
From Vaiare to the sand
From Vaiare, follow the ring road north for about 3 km (2 mi). Turn into the signed public parking area near the airport.
Moorea transport ↗02 / BEACH ACCESS
A short path to the sand
The public approach is short. Loose sand begins at the shore, and a continuous wheelchair-accessible route to the water has not been confirmed.
03 / THE SAND
White sand, coral underfoot
The shore is pale sand. Expect coral fragments in places and wear water shoes where the bottom gets rough.
04 / FOOD & WATER
Bring a picnic and drinking water
Buy supplies in Maharepa or near the ferry terminal. The nearby resort has dining, and service on the public sand is uncertain.
05 / CHAIRS & UMBRELLAS
Bring your own shade
None confirmed on the public beach. Bring a beach shade and use existing tree shade where available.
06 / RESTROOMS & SHOWERS
Public facilities
Tahiti Tourisme lists toilets and showers. Check availability on arrival and carry enough water to rinse off if they are closed.
03 / THE BEACH
A day at Temae Beach.
The lagoon at Temae
Across the channel, Tahiti rises behind the reef line.
Photo: Guellouz Mehdi · CC BY-SA 4.001 / MORNING
Start with the shoreline
Walk the public sand while the sun is low and take note of the way back to the parking area.
02 / WATER
Stay inside the lagoon
If conditions are calm, enter over sand with a companion. Give the reef edge and pass plenty of room.
03 / MIDDAY
Break for lunch
Bring a picnic or take the coast road toward Maharepa for lunch.
04 / AFTERNOON
Look back from Toʻatea
Stop at the lookout above the coast for a view across the lagoon toward Tahiti.
Start at Temae and stop in Maharepa before following the north coast. In steady rain, trade the shoreline walk for Te Fare Natura on Opunohu Bay.
04 / NEARBY BEACHES
Four more stops along the coast.
Taʻahiamanu is on the north shore. Tiahura and Les Tipaniers face the western lagoon, and Haapiti lies farther south.
Taʻahiamanu
A public strip of sand and shade near the mouth of Opunohu Bay.
- Best for
- A picnic in the shade
- Facilities
- Public parking and facilities
- Good to know
- Stay clear of boat traffic at the bay mouth.
Tiahura Public Beach
The northwest lagoon looks out toward the small offshore motu.
- Best for
- A shore walk and lagoon views
- Facilities
- Public beach access and parking
- Good to know
- Give excursion boats and moorings room.
Haapiti Beach
Look out across the western lagoon and the surf line beyond.
- Best for
- A quiet shoreline stop
- Facilities
- Services vary along the coast
- Good to know
- Keep away from the reef pass and check access from the road.
Les Tipaniers
A sandy shore by the Les Tipaniers pier, separate from Tiahura’s public beach.
- Best for
- Lagoon views and a walk near the pier
- Facilities
- Restaurant and activity businesses nearby
- Good to know
- Ask about access and avoid marked boat lanes.
Distances are straight-line from Temae Beach. Facilities change by season, so check on the day.
05 / MUST-SEE PLACES
Three ways to see Moorea.
01 / TEAVARO
Toʻatea Lookout
Stop above Temae for the view across the reef to Tahiti. Use the designated roadside pullout.
Tourism service ↗02 / OPUNOHU VALLEY
Belvédère Lookout
Follow the inland road for a view of Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay on either side of Mount Rotui. Pause at the marked marae on the way and respect the stone platforms.
Lookout information ↗03 / PAPETOAI
Te Fare Natura
The ecomuseum on Opunohu Bay introduces the island’s land and marine environments. Check opening days before making it your rainy-day stop.
Museum information ↗EXPLORE THE AREA
Temae Beach and northeast Moorea.
Find the public sand beside the lagoon, the airport to the north and the road down to Vaiare.
Open the interactive map ↗BEYOND THE BEACH
From the coast into the valley.
Follow the ring road to the bays, then turn inland for a different view of the island.
Two bays
Mount Rotui divides Cook’s Bay from Opunohu Bay.
Photo: Fanny98716 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Te Fare Natura
The ecomuseum sits at the head of Opunohu Bay.
Photo: Saga70 · CC0 1.0
Stone platforms
Moorea’s marae are ceremonial places. Follow posted guidance and leave stones in place.
Photo: Rachel Roberts · CC BY-SA 2.0
Opunohu from above
The bay opens north beyond the hills below Belvédère.
Photo: Guellouz Mehdi · CC BY-SA 4.006 / SIX HOTELS
Find your base.
ATIHA
Fare Arana
$ Budget · Fare Taina room for one or two: 7,900 XPF per night for two nights or more, or 8,900 XPF for one night. Tourist tax is 60 XPF per person aged 12 or over per night.
A hillside guesthouse above the southern coast. Allow time for the drive around the island to Temae.
Fare Arana official site ↗PIHAENA
Fare Maheata
$ Budget · Single dorm bed 3,800 XPF without breakfast for stays of three nights or more. Duo bungalow for two: 15,500 XPF without breakfast for stays of two nights or more. Ask directly about extras and current availability.
A family pension on the north shore near Taʻahiamanu, west of Temae by the ring road.
Fare Maheata official site ↗HAAPITI
Linareva Moorea Beach Resort
$$ Mid-Range · Current nightly rates unconfirmed; the operator’s published tariff table is dated 2024. Ask directly for a current quote.
Self-contained accommodation on the west coast, across the island from Temae.
Linareva Moorea Beach Resort official site ↗MAHAREPA
Poerani Moorea
$$ Mid-Range · Current nightly rates unconfirmed; ask directly for your dates.
A small property on the northeastern coast with kitchens in its units, west of the beach access.
Poerani Moorea official site ↗PAOPAO
Cook’s Bay Hotel & Suites
$$$ Upscale · Current suite rates unconfirmed; ask directly for your dates.
Suites on Cook’s Bay make a base for the north shore, a drive west from Temae.
Cook’s Bay Hotel & Suites official site ↗TEMAE
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort
$$$$ Luxury · Current room and bungalow rates unconfirmed; ask directly for your dates.
The resort sits on the same lagoon as the public beach, with its own access and overwater bungalows.
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort official site ↗
WHEN TO GO
Choose the day you want.
May through October is generally drier. November through April is warmer and wetter. Wind and swell can change within either season, so check conditions on the day. Climate normals ↗
07 / FOOD, LANGUAGE & LOCAL LIFE
From sand to table.
Moorea pineapple
Pineapple grows on the island’s interior slopes. Look for it fresh or as juice.
Photo: Verodemortillet · CC BY-SA 4.0What to order
Try poisson cru, raw fish dressed with lime and coconut milk, or ask for grilled fish if you prefer it cooked. Fresh pineapple makes an easy picnic addition.
Local habits
Greet people when you enter a shop or café. Bring a cover-up for lunch away from the beach, and ask before photographing people.
A LITTLE FRENCH
Useful on the beach and in town.
- Bonjour
- Hello
- Merci
- Thank you
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît
- The check, please
- Où est la plage publique ?
- Where is the public beach?
SIX RESTAURANTS
Where to eat.
VAIARE
Casa Pizza
$ Budget · Featured pizza around 1,500 XPF
The mobile pizza truck stops at Vaiare and Tiaia. Check its own schedule before heading over.
Casa Pizza official site ↗MAHAREPA
Fare La Canadienne
$ Budget · Current menu prices unconfirmed; ask directly.
A casual stop for burgers and poutine. The operator lists kitchen hours Wednesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 6–8 p.m. Reservations are by phone; confirm before visiting.
Fare La Canadienne official site ↗HAURU
Le Sunset
$$ Mid-Range · Current menu prices unconfirmed; ask directly.
The Hibiscus hotel’s lagoon-side restaurant welcomes outside guests daily: breakfast 7–10 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m., and dinner 5:30–8:15 p.m. The listed closing times are last-order times.
Le Sunset official site ↗PAPETOAI
Toatea Crêperie
$$ Mid-Range · Current crêpe prices unconfirmed; ask directly.
The Hilton’s overwater crêperie lists daily restaurant service from 5–9:30 p.m. and bar service from 4–9:30 p.m. Check access for outside guests.
Toatea Crêperie official site ↗PAOPAO
Le Cook’s
$$$ Upscale · Current menu prices unconfirmed; ask directly.
A bayside table for fish or a longer dinner. Use the restaurant’s own booking page.
Le Cook’s official site ↗TEAVARO
Pure
$$$$ Luxury · Polynesian dinner event around 12,000 XPF per person
The Sofitel’s open-air restaurant faces the lagoon. For the dinner event, check the resort’s current dates and reserve ahead.
Pure official site ↗08 / MOOREA AFTER DARK
Three bars.
Vue Bar
Pause for a juice on the terrace overlooking the lagoon. The operator lists daily opening from 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Ask about access for outside guests. Terrace information ↗
Le Cook’s Bar
A bayside terrace for a drink before dinner, with views across the water. Bar information ↗
Eimeo Bar
The Hilton lounge looks out over the north shore. The resort lists Eimeo Bar open daily, 4–10 p.m.; confirm before traveling. Dining and lounge information ↗
If you are staying elsewhere, arrange your return ride before dinner. For a day trip, check the last ferry before making evening plans.
09 / MOOREA EVENT CALENDAR & MONEY
Plan around the celebrations.
Moorea Marathon
In early austral autumn, the island hosts road races around Taʻahiamanu. Check the organizer’s site for routes and registration.
Moorea Marathon official site ↗XTERRA Moorea Trail Run
In late austral autumn and early winter, races take runners into Opunohu Valley. The organizer posts route lengths and entry details.
XTERRA Moorea Trail Run ↗Currency / Pacific franc
French Polynesia uses the Pacific franc (XPF, often written F CFP). Carry some cash for small purchases and use cards where accepted.
Pacific currency authority ↗10 / WHAT TO WEAR
Pack for the lagoon.
THE LAGOON KIT
Swim.
Walk.
Stay out.
On the sand
Wear the Temae Blossom bikini with a long-sleeve rash guard, a hat and water shoes for the shoreline.
On the coast road
Bring sandals for the beach and closed shoes if you plan to walk the inland trails. Carry a light rain layer.
In town
A dry shirt or linen cover-up is enough for a casual lunch. Pack a change for a resort dinner.
11 / BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Good to know.
Which airport should I use?
International flights arrive at Tahiti–Faaʻa (PPT). Continue to Moorea–Temae (MOZ) or take a ferry from Papeete to Vaiare.
Is it good for swimming?
On calm days the nearshore lagoon can suit a short swim. Stay away from reef passes, check the current and treat the beach as unpatrolled.
Is the beach step-free?
The public approach is short. Loose sand can make the last stretch difficult with wheels.
Can I visit from Papeete in a day?
Yes. Check the outbound and return sailing together, and arrange transport between Vaiare and the beach.
What should I bring to the beach?
Bring drinking water, food, shade, sun protection and water shoes. Carry out your trash.
FOG & FOUNDRY / SWIM
Terracotta blooms.
Deep teal ties.
A cream floral triangle top pairs with a dotted teal tie-side bottom.
Explore the Temae Blossom bikini ↗
Read next · another destination
Read next · another destination
Read next · another destination
