French Polynesia on a Budget: Plan a Cheap Moorea Trip

Things move a little slower on Moorea, French Polynesia – and that’s not a complaint. The days drift by as leisurely as the puffy, white clouds. The calm waters of the lagoon display a rainbow of blues; an entire Crayola crayon box full of shades of blue wouldn’t be enough to color the scene.

Looking inland, bright vivid greens climb the mountains that soar high into the sky. It’s an island paradise…and we’re doing it affordably. We visited Moorea, French Polynesia on a budget – and we are sharing our tips so you can, too! 

 

Moorea, French Polynesia

Long before we were full-time travelers, we were budget-conscious vacationers. We rarely splurged on luxury accommodations or indulged at extravagant trips. Yet, we dreamed of a Polynesian vacation and fantasized about staying in a Moorea overwater bungalow.

Specifically, we wanted to stay at the Hilton Moorea Resort. To make it jive with our budget, we spent years using a Hilton Honors credit card and racking up points that we could cash in for the luxurious stay. By the time we were ready for our trip to Moorea, we had managed to save 300,000 Hilton Points…which was barely enough for one night. And, suddenly, it just didn’t seem worth it. 

 

Budget Moorea Vacation

We were visiting Moorea as part of our maiden year-long Around the World trip…and we were very much on a budget. Our perspective had changed – our dreams had changed. Spending all of our hard-earned points on one night in a Moorea Island resort now seemed preposterous.

On to Plan B…as in, Plan Budget. We were intent on figuring out how to stay on Moorea, French Polynesia for cheap!

 

Moorea, French Polynesia on a Budget

Just to be clear, French Polynesia is not a budget destination. French Poly accommodations are not cheap – certainly not Moorea hotels over the water.

Public transportation is practically non-existent. Any activities are downright costly. Grocery stores have limited, overpriced items and even the cost of local beer is outrageous. Yet, we were not deterred. We were determined to find a way to plan a cheap French Polynesia holiday!

 

Budget Moorea Travel

Budget travel is a subjective phrase. Every traveler has their own budget and limits as to what they are willing to pay for a trip. We had originally budgeted $100 per day (total for both of us – not including flights) for our French Polynesia trip, which was quite ambitious. Below we detail how we planned our trip to Moorea on a budget – and, ultimately, how much we spent.

 

Cheap Flights to Tahiti

Budget travelers will most certainly be looking for cheap flights to French Polynesia. On our trip, we arrived from Easter Island and departed to Auckland, New Zealand. All flights to French Polynesia utilize the Faa’a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete on Tahiti (which is the island next to Moorea).

{Search for the best French Polynesia flight deals on SkyScanner!}

 

Papeete Airport Tahiti Hotels

Our flight from Easter Island landed at the Tahiti Airport at 1 o’clock in the morning – but our ferry to Moorea didn’t leave until 6:00am. We couldn’t fathom paying for an overpriced Tahiti hotel room that we would only occupy for a few hours. Unfortunately, staying inside the Faa’a Airport was not an option. After retrieving our luggage, we were ushered out the front doors of the open-air airport.

Although the Tahiti Airport Motel across the parking lot practically had a welcome mat rolled out to us, we decided to spend the night on the airport curb. The curbside all-night café had open seats for travelers just like us, but we opted to find a quiet sidewalk spot at the opposite end of the airport. We spread out our ‘borrowed’ airplane blanket on the ground, plunked down and tried to get a few hours of sleep.  

 

How To Get to Moorea

The ferry from Tahiti to Moorea is operated by Aremiti and the ride takes about 30 minutes. Adult one-way tickets cost 1,500 XPF (about $15 USD) – and there is no discount for buying a roundtrip. The ship has outdoor space, which offers a nice vantage point during the ride. Find current prices and Moorea-Tahiti schedules on the official website. 

On arrival at the Moorea Port in Vai’are, there are taxis waiting and car rental options. A cheap public bus does meet the ferry, but it departs as soon as it is full. We took our time disembarking and missed the bus, which was a tired traveler mistake. Rather than fork out money for an expensive cab, we waited at the docks for the next bus…which didn’t arrive until the next ferry came in.

 

Where To Stay on Moorea on a Budget

Posh Moorea Island resorts charge upwards of $1,000 per night. Moorea hotels, while less expensive than resorts, were also charging beyond what we were willing to pay. Our research revealed a campground that offered tents on the beach for $40 USD per night.

Popular with Moorea backpackers and like-minded travelers, camping on the beach was a tempting budget choice. However, shared bathrooms and no secure storage space were a deal-breaker for us (like I said, everyone has their limits!). In our continued search for affordable Moorea vacation rentals, we stumbled onto Mark’s Place.

Start Your Search for Budget Moorea Accommodations on Booking.com – like we do!

 

Mark’s Place Moorea Bungalow

Mark’s Place is a quaint spot near the beach in Ha’apiti (on the southwest side of the Moorea) offering affordable French Polynesia accommodation. The Polynesian bungalows are strategically placed for privacy around the gardened grounds.

Mark designed and built each cabin, incorporating the natural, tropical habitat, as well as including modern necessities. Other details, like the perfect soft lighting so as not to disrupt the natural atmosphere, are found throughout the property.

 

French Polynesia Bungalow: Fare Miti

Our cabana, Fare Miti, had stone floors and a high, wood ceiling. The glass-less windows on all four walls were designed to let the island breeze flow through (minus the bugs). We had indoor/outdoor access to the bathroom (for when you get back from the beach) with a rainfall shower, a coconut shell for a soap holder and palm leaves making their way through the gap from wall to ceiling.

The bed is tucked in a bay window, letting us star-gaze through the screen as we fell asleep to the song of crickets and roar of the surf. Each morning we would wake with the island birds and roosters at dawn. Afternoons were spent in the shaded porch hammock, with a cold Hinano in hand. The kitchenette had everything we needed to prepare our Moorea budget meals at home.

The property had additional perks, like inexpensive kayak and snorkel gear rentals (more on Moorea activities in a minute). Mark was always on hand to offer friendly conversation and local tips, plus there was a grocery store just down the street. We could also use the aloe plants from his garden for the inevitable sunburn! 

Get Prices and Check Availability at Mark’s Place!

 

French Polynesia Food

One of the things I was most looking forward to on our Polynesian islands vacation was the fresh, local produce. However, when we got to the grocery store, there was none. No bananas. No pineapples. In fact, there was very little produce at all.

The store was, however, stocked with basic staples: rice, pasta, canned veggies and beans. With Mark’s help, we found a street-side fruit stand selling right-off-the-tree bananas for cheap. Although we prepared incredibly simple meals, we were able to do so affordably. For our five days in Moorea, we only spent about $50 USD on food.

We didn’t even attempt to eat out on Moorea. Not only would it have put a dent in our budget, but during our shoulder-season visit, none of the nearby places were even open. We ate breakfast and dinner at home every day. For lunch, we had beach picnics of homemade sandwiches and bananas. It was a great cost-saving measure…and the views were fabulous.

 

Cheap Drinks in French Polynesia

To save money, we didn’t go out drinking at any bars on Moorea, either. A single cocktail was likely to cost as much as our ferry ride. Instead, we got some beer and wine from the grocery store – and even that was really stretching our budget for French Polynesia.

A six-pack of tall can (50cl) Hinano, the local Tahitian beer, cost a whopping $22 USD! A liter of box wine (yes, box wine) was $12 and tasted exactly as we anticipated a carton of wine would taste. Five days of Hinano Hour in the hammock followed by wine with dinner severely dented our budget. C’est la vie.

 

Getting around Moorea on a Budget

We found it incredibly difficult to get around Moorea on a budget. The buses on Moorea only cost about $3.50 USD per ride, but there isn’t an actual bus system with routes and time schedules (at least not one that we found).

We ended up walking quite a bit and even tried unsuccessfully hitchhiking. Taxis are available but can cost a bundle. Mark offers rides around the island for a fee, but only if he is available or already making a trip.

 

Scooter or Car Rental Moorea, French Polynesia

Renting a car or scooter would have allowed us to navigate to more places on the island. However, it would have added another big cost to our trip. In the end, we were content to lounge around the grounds of our property and walk to the Ha’apiti beaches. 

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Things To Do On Moorea

The ridiculously blue water is one of the top Moorea attractions – and spending time in or near it doesn’t have to cost a dime. From our accommodations, the lagoon was just down the street and a nice beach was a short walk away. Two of the best things to do in Moorea, however, are kayaking and snorkeling – and we were willing to pay a fee to be able to do them.

 

Kayaking and Snorkeling Moorea

The tranquil, protected lagoon is filled with coral reefs and exotic fish – and we were eager to explore it. Fortunately, Mark’s Place rented both kayaks and snorkel gear rather inexpensively.

We used the equipment twice, paddling around the reef in the kayak, dropping anchor and hopping in the water to discover what was beneath the surface. The lagoon provides some of the best snorkeling on Moorea. We saw sea turtles, swam with sting rays and reef sharks and followed gazillions of colorful fish around the stunning coral.

 

Best Beaches in Moorea: Pineapple Beach

Pineapple Beach is a bit of a Moorea hidden gem and one of our favorite French Polynesia beaches! Not far from our accommodations, the small beach is perfect for a day of lounging – and it is totally free.

Before we even got in the crystal-clear water, we could see colorful fish. Playful rays frequent the area – and we watched them eating out of a kid’s hand. Ideal for swimming – there is a soft, sandy bottom – and snorkeling, Pineapple Beach is a top Moorea spot for budget travelers.  

 

Moorea Hiking

There are numerous hiking trails on Moorea. Three popular trails are Mount Rotui, 3 Coconuts Trail and Vaiare Viewpoint. Find detailed information – including other great Moorea hikes – in this post.

 

French Polynesia Surfing

Surfers have long flocked to French Polynesia for the prime conditions and lack of crowds. A group of surfers was staying at our accommodations the same time as us – they spent their days riding waves and nights bragging about who got the best one.

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French Polynesia Vacation Cost

We wanted a cheap trip to French Polynesia – and we succeeded! While we could have easily spent more money on Moorea activities, we could have also spent less by not drinking alcohol or opting for the campsite on the beach instead of a rustic bungalow.

We absolutely enjoyed our time on Moorea and – even though we were thrifty – had a wonderful experience. In the end, we averaged about $150 USD per day total – or about $75 per person. It may not have been the over-the-water bungalow experience we once dreamt about, but French Polynesia on a budget was certainly an amazing adventure!

 

Start planning your trip to French Polynesia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing!  Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

 

 

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