After a long month of travel and tons of excitement, we were finally reunited as a family. Addy and I crossed the Pacific Ocean on a sailboat with friends, while Amanda and Audrey met us at the airport on the island of Tahiti after flying in from Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia.

We were stoked to see what a new location had to offer, and we had our very own snorkel gear with us to explore the best snorkeling on Moorea. In this post, I’ll take you through some of the best spots to see and experience on Moorea. We explored some spots with tour operators and others on our own.

Snorkeling at Temae Beach and Sofitel Resort and Spa

If you visit Moorea, make sure to stop at the Toatea Lookout right after exiting the ferry terminal. You’ll be awestruck by the view. We skipped the lookout the first couple of times because of the weather conditions and a full parking lot, but visiting between 11 am and 2 pm on a sunny day is a major treat.

You’ll have a gorgeous view of Temae Beach and the Sofitel resort from the lookout. Take a quick mental note of where the big coral heads are located, as they attract all the beautiful reef fish.

We visited the Sofitel resort with a day pass and enjoyed the freshly combed beach and lounge chairs just like regular hotel guests. We swam into the shallow waters and saw many types of fish close to shore.

After noticing the strong currents, I walked to Temae Beach to get upstream for a drift snorkel, ending at the resort side of the beach. This was really helpful because walking along the beach is often easier than fighting the current in the water.

This beach is one of the best places to visit because it’s full of locals, creating a nice, family-oriented atmosphere. While snorkeling not far from an overwater bungalow, I saw my first spotted ray.

Motu Tiahura Snorkeling

This island is private land, and there’s a fantastic restaurant called Coco Beach Restaurant. We booked the first available spot at a picnic table on the beach. Amanda had already done some research on this spot, so we were prepared to spend the entire day there.

The small island restaurant has a pickup spot just off the main road where you can park your rental car. The short boat ride in an outrigger canoe was fun and exciting, costing only 500 XPF per person.

After arriving at the beach, we sat at a picnic table and ordered a few drinks and lunch. The food here is amazing, especially the fish grilled over an open flame. The view feels like a dream.

After lunch, we entered the water and had a great time spotting colorful Triggerfish. The kids were excited to see a Leopard Flounder and other tropical fish just off the beach by our picnic table.

The beach may not be one of the best beaches in Moorea, but it gets you really close to Coral Garden Tiahura. The entrance into the water is fairly rocky, so water shoes will be helpful. Let’s dive into the garden below.

Snorkeling at Coral Garden Tiahura

During our time in Moorea, we explored the Coral Garden Tiahura in a few different ways. One option is taking a tour with Albert’s Transport Lagoon Tour, which gives you about an hour at this incredible snorkeling spot. If you’re staying at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort, you’re in luck! The tour boats can drop you off there, saving you the long boat ride through Opunohu Bay and Cook’s Bay.

This area of Moorea is home to large coral gardens and an abundance of marine life, making it a top snorkeling destination. However, one thing we immediately noticed was the strong currents, which push swimmers toward the main island. The tour websites emphasize the importance of strong swimming skills, so be mindful of this if you plan to snorkel here.

Since the Moorea Miti Tours and other boat tour operators frequent this spot all day, it’s important to stay aware of boats while in the water.

Before we arrived, Amanda and Audrey did an epic three-day trip to Moorea and did a small group tour with Voila Moorea. The boat was similar to ours, with an easy-access swim ladder that made getting in and out of the water a breeze. This tour offered a more laid-back and personalized experience, allowing them to visit less crowded snorkeling areas beyond the typical tourist spots.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable snorkeling experience in Moorea, Coral Garden Tiahura should definitely be on your list!

The Perfect Snorkeling Spot for Kids: Motu Fareone

During our Albert’s Lagoon Tour, we stopped at Motu Fareone for lunch and, of course, more snorkeling! This little island, nestled in Moorea’s Lagoon, turned out to be one of the best snorkeling spots for younger kids, like Audrey.

Unlike other snorkeling locations, Motu Fareone has almost no current, making it perfect for beginner swimmers. The sandy bottom, with fewer corals, allowed for easy standing in shallow areas, giving kids more confidence in the water. The crystal clear waters, and the pool-like water atmosphere created a calm and inviting environment. With no boats or crowds, it was a stress-free, fun experience for the whole family.

If you’re visiting Moorea with little ones, this is definitely a must-visit for a relaxing and safe snorkeling adventure!

Coral Gardeners HQ

While Audrey and Amanda were on the island before Addy and me, they got the royal treatment without us! They received a full lesson on coral growth and how colorful coral reefs create a thriving underwater ecosystem. If you want to read about there three day adventure you can see the post here.

Coral Gardeners HQ has two reef sites—one near their headquarters, located just down the street from Mareto Beach (Ta’ahiamanu Beach), and another in deeper water, which they didn’t visit. 

If you’re interested in their work and want to learn more about their mission, click here.

Jardin De Corail du Motu Ahi

For an off-the-beaten-path experience, head to Motu Ahi. If you’re looking to escape the crowds, this is a great place. There’s a small building along the main road where you can inquire about getting to the island.

If you spot a white boat and a friendly guide with a big smile, he’s the one taking guests across. The transfer is via a private boat that looks like an outrigger canoe, adding to the adventure.

The Lagoonarium here has a strong current, so I recommend it for confident swimmers with medium to large fins, especially if venturing into deeper waters. Beginner snorkelers will be fine in the shallows, where the current is weaker, and you can easily stand if needed.

Moorea Ocean Tours 

We searched for private tours and were drawn to  Moorea Ocean Tours for their stunning imagery and unique style. We booked a tour and met them at Hauru Public Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful public beaches.

Opting for a morning tour, we wanted to take advantage of the soft lighting—though, ironically, it rained that morning. Still, we were excited for a packed day exploring the island from a different perspective.

A Morning Drift Snorkel 

Our first stop was snorkeling and free diving in the main channel near Motu Fareone. This area gets busy later in the day, but early in the morning, we had it all to ourselves—along with the sea turtles that love grazing on the seagrass. Swimming alongside them was truly mind-blowing and a unique experience. 

The Famous Stingray and Blacktip Reef Shark Snorkel Spot 

Next, we dropped anchor at the popular spot where blacktip reef sharks and stingrays gather. Located just east of Motu Tiahura, this area is usually crowded, but we lucked out and had it to ourselves for about 45 minutes, making for an unforgettable snorkeling experience with our guides.

Deep Water Dives and Snorkel Spot

The final stop took us beyond the barrier reef into 60 feet of crystal clear waters. Our tour guide warned us that black-tipped reef sharks could sneak up in this outer reef area, so we stayed vigilant. This deeper water is also where you might spot moray eels, and if you between July and November, you can snorkel alongside humpback whales.

By mid-afternoon, we agreed—this was one of the best snorkeling tours we’ve ever done. If your budget allows, look at private snorkel tours, the experience is absolutely worth it!

Should I Visit the Best Moorea Snorkeling Spots with My Family?

Absolutely! We spent over a month in Moorea and Tahiti, and we were in the water almost daily, soaking up the incredible marine life. While Bora Bora gets all the hype, but you should really consider Moorea for your next vacation and it has become our personal favorite for so many reasons. 

Whether you’re a first-time snorkeler or an experienced free diver, Moorea offers some of the best snorkeling experiences in French Polynesia.

If you’re looking for an island where you can snorkel endlessly and never run out of new underwater wonders, Moorea is the perfect destination. And if you’ve discovered one of the best Moorea snorkeling spots we haven’t mentioned, drop a comment, we’d love to hear about it!