Moorea golf course to open first nine holes on April 15

Tahitipresse announced that the first nine holes of the Moorea Golf Resort course are set to open on April 15th. The other nine are due to be completed in a few months time.

This is part of a project that includes a 154 room hotel as well as 115 residential villas. Completion of the hotel is scheduled for June 2008 and the villas for December 2008.

One of the reasons that the French Polynesia experience is so special is the intimate scale of ones accomodations. Currently the largest hotel, outside of Papeete, is the 143 room Moorea Intercontinental. The new resort will house over 500 guests. Fortunately it is situated near the airport and away from the areas where most visitors will stay.

Moorea - Motel Albert

Motel Albert is across the street from Club Bali Hai on Cook's Bay.
PK 8
Tel:(689)56 12 76
Fax:(689)56 58 58
motel.albert@laposte.net

It's been top rated in the budget category on Moorea for a long time.

A room with a double bed (for 1 to 2 people) is 5400 (minimum stay two nights), including a kitchen and private bathroom.

Larger bungalows are available including one that sleeps up to 5 for 10850.

I must say that I had my doubts about the location as it is across the street from the bay. (There are places nearby where you can access it.) However, I was not enthusiastic until I saw this notice (scroll down) advertising Club Bali Hai's Blue Pineapple Restaurant. It says "Access a piscine pour les clients du restaurant", restaurant customers can access the swimming pool. (The pool is small and cold but if the CBH allows you to access their pool with a restaurant purchase I would assume that it holds for the beach to bay access too.)

There are two supermarkets nearby, restaurants, and a gas station to purchase snacks next door.

Moorea - Club Bali Hai

Club Bali Hai
PK 8, Cooks Bay
Tel: 1-888-222-5406 (toll free)
Tel: (689) 56 13 68
Fax: (689) 56 13 27
reservations@clubbalihai.pf

Club Bali Hai has the most stunning view of any accomodations in Moorea. It's also the first place that I stayed in French Polynesia. For me, Moorea is the magnificent bays. I loved watching the clouds pass in front of the mountains. Being on the bay, the water is deep and dark (it gradually but quickly gets deep). There is just a tiny beach there. It has a funky, 60s decor.

I stayed in a Bayview room, which included a fully equipped kitchenette. I must admit that I paid about half of the current price less than five years ago. The value choice here is an overwater bungalow. The CBH's don't extend far into the water like the resorts but still they are very choice accomodations given the incredible view.

All rooms are air-conditioned.

Bayview rooms with kitchenette 129 Euros ($171 U.S. as of 1/27/07)
One bedroom Beachfront Bungalows with kitchenette are 213 Euros ($275 U.S. as of 1/27/07), including breakfast.
Overwater Bungalows with kitchenette are 220 Euros ($282.00 as of 1/27/07), including breakfast.
They are currently advertising a seasonal special for the Overwater Bungalows of 165 Euros (approx. U.S. $214 ), breakfast included and 160 Euros (approx. U.S. $206) for the Beachfront Bungalows. (Let me note that CBH is a timeshare as well as a hotel and the timeshare guests get first priority on the more popular room selections.)

They also have Gardenview rooms which only have a refrigerator. The prices for these are not shown on their Web site.

In the back of the Bayview building there are the Mountianview rooms, with only a fridge. They are not mentioned on the site at all, however, I did stay in one when I extended my stay there. They face the road and I found the room depressing after being spoiled by the stunning Bayview I had previously.

CBH is close to two supermarkets, restaurants, has its own restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch, there is a gas station across the street where you can purchase snacks and drinks.

Wednesday nights they have a free Tahitian dance show.

The staff is lovely.

Moorea - Les Tipaniers

Les Tipaniers, Moorea
PK 25.9
Tel: (689) 56 12 67
Fax : (689) 56 29 25
tipaniersresa@mail.pf

Located near the Les Petit Village area on Moorea's west side where there are shops and restaurants, Les Tipaniers is right on the beach. There is a restaurant on the premises.

Rooms start at 6900 for a fan cooled garden room.
A garden bungalow with a kitchen goes for 13950 for 1 to two persons and is 16200 for 3 to 4 occupants.

Bicycles are provided free of charge.

They have an annex, Les Tipaniers Iti that is 2.5 miles east on Opunohu Bay. The prices are considerably less there, 7950 for a bungalow with a kitchen. The area there is residential. It does not have a beach but there is a pontoon overlooking Opunohu Bay (which is stunning). You can use the beach at the main hotel.

An Insiders Guide to Moorea

Googling around I found this blog called Traveling Moorea and Beyond. The author, Aaron Wallace, works at the University of California, Berkeley, Richard B. Gump South Pacific Reseach Station which is located on the west side of Cooks Bay in Moorea.

He started the guide, it's a work in progress, in response to students questions as to what to do around Moorea in their free time. I don't know how old it is or if he is currently working on it.

He has some excellent information (and directions) on hiking, running, snorkeling, surfing and beaches in Moorea. Take a look.

Moorea "Tere Fa'ati" this Sunday

I heard about this mid-January and emailed Tahiti Tourisme (both here and in Tahiti) as well as the Moorea Tourist committee for details. I just now received a response from Moorea.

This Sunday, February 11th, Moorea is having a "Tere Fa'ati". It is a festive circle island tour via Le Truck accompanied by the sounds of the ukulele. Similar to the one held on Tahiti in early January, it is sponsored by the tourism committee.

It starts at 8:30 am on Temae Beach and stops at Cooks Bay, Pineapple Road, the Belvedere viewpoint, an archeological site, Opunohu Bay, the dock of Papetoai Village, Painapo Beach, To'Atea viewpoint and back to Temae beach (just north of the Sofitel) around noon. (FYI Temae is the most beautiful beach on Moorea with a stunning view across the Sea of the Moon toward the mountains of Tahiti.)

The cost is 4000 per person including a Tahitian meal.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme.

Tahiti on a Rockbottom Budget - Part 4

Another option for Moorea is Mark's Place Paradise aka Haapiti Camping
(689) 56 43 02
(689) 78 93 65
Skype Phone: marksmoorea
mark@marks-place-paradise.com
PK 23.5

Mark's is located on the southwest side of Moorea. To reach Mark's one would take the southbound Le Truck from the ferry. If you were traveling from Te Motu Iti to Mark's you would take the Le Truck to the ferry and then take the other Le Truck to Mark's.

Though away from the more touristed areas of the island, everyone who has stayed here has raved about this place.

They offer dorms for 2000 and 2500.
Camping for 1050 per person.
A private room for two, 5000.
Cooking facilities are available.
They rent bikes and kayaks for 1000 a day (a very good rate).

They accept credit cards.

Tahiti on a Rockbottom Budget - Part 3

After a couple of days at Te Motu Iti head to the west coast of Moorea (the Petit Village area). There you will find Camping Nelson and Moorea Camping. These are not only for campers. They are on the longest stretch of beach in Moorea, with beautiful sunsets.

Camping Nelson
(689) 56 15 18
campingnelson@mail.pf
PK 27.1
A two bed dorm for 2000 for the first night, 1600 for subsequent nights.
A private room for 1 or 2 (double bed) is 4800 for one night, 4300 for subsequent nights.
Camping is 1200 per person.
For more money you can have your own fare.
There are communal cooking facilities, shops and restaurants are nearby.

Moorea Camping
(689) 56 14 47
no longer has a Web site
Their email einui@hotmail.com no longer works.
(That's not unusual in French Polynesia.)
PK 27.5
They have a similar set-up to Camping Nelson with prices reported to be slightly less. Their communal kitchen/dining area has a water view.

Moorea Camping does an inexpensive Shark & Ray Feeding excursion, for guests it's only 1500, 2000 for non-guests.

Tahiti on a Rockbottom Budget - Part 2

I recommend basing yourself in two different pensions during your stay in Moorea (reasons to be explained).

In Moorea take Le Truck (300) to Pension Te Motu Iti.

This pension is lagoon side on the peninsula between Cooks and Opunohu bays, close to the Sheraton hotel. A dorm bed will cost less than 2000.

The reason for the recommendation is that for me the magnificent bays are the highlight of Moorea. At Te Motu Iti you will have access to free kayaks (both singles and doubles). They have plenty of them. You can spend the day exploring.

The best snorkeling on Moorea is reputed to be in this area. You can snorkel from the Te Motu Iti (no beach but they have an overwater room available to all) or from the beach at the Sheraton. (Swimming and snorkeling among the overwater bungalows in $800 a night waters sure feels good.)

The drawback to the location and why I recommend only staying maybe two nights is the lack of cooking facilities and inexpensive meal options.

There is a restaurant on the premises. It's no longer open all day (and they no longer do the Sunday Tahitian lunch.) Budget around 1500 for the cheapest dinner.

There is a small pizzeria/hamburger place between the Pension and the Sheraton.

There are two supermarkets about 5 km (3 miles) away in PaoPao at the head of Cook’s Bay. It’s a nice walk. There is a small shop (magasin) past the Sheraton (around 2 km from the Pension). Check with the pension as to the hours of operation of the stores. There is also a “Snack” restaurant in Cooks Bay.

If you are heading to Cooks Bay stop by the Moorea Fruit Juice Factory at PK 12. It's open Monday - Saturday from 9 am - 4 pm and you can sample their liquers for free.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme

Moorea Le Truck Schedule

Le Truck, as the local buses are called, meets the incoming ferries. There are two buses, one taking the northern route and the other, the southern route. They both end up in Le Petit Village.

This is the schedule from Le Petit Village to the Vaiare ferry dock.

Monday through Thursday:
4:45 am
5:45 am
6:45 am
9:45 am
11:45 am
1:45 pm
2:45 pm
3:45 pm

On Friday one extra truck leaves Petit Village at
12:45 pm.

Saturday:
4:45 am
5:45 am
6:45 am
8:45 am
9:45 am
11:45 am
1:45 pm
2:45 pm
3:45 pm

Sunday schedule:
5:00 am
6:45 am
1:45 pm
2:45 pm
4:45 pm.

From Le Petit Village terminal buses leave in both directions around the island to get to the Vaiare ferry dock.

Pay 300 CFP (same as XPF) when you get off.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme. The real Moorea Le Trucks aren't quite as photogenic, they look like school buses.