Travel notes · November 2026

Tahiti to Moorea, ferry or flight

From the Papeete waterfront, Moorea sits right across the water, its peaks wrapped in cloud. A short crossing takes you from the city to the island. Here is how to make the trip, and arrive at the villa without a care.

Vaiare ferry terminal to the villa

a good half hour

Temae airport to the villa

about 25 min

Villa to the beach and restaurants

about 5 min

By boat, the easy way

Boats leave from the Papeete ferry terminal and dock at Vaiare, on Moorea's east coast. Three companies run the route:

• Aremiti, with the Aremiti 5 and Aremiti 6, which also takes cars;
• Tauati;
• Vaeara'i.

Tickets are sold online on each company's website, where you will find up-to-date timetables, crossing times and fares: they vary by day and by season.

Terevau, still listed in many guides, stopped operating in April 2026. And no, the villa has nothing to do with the Aremiti ferry company: they simply share a lovely Tahitian name.

Flying, to save time

Air Tahiti links Tahiti-Faa'a airport to Moorea-Temae, on the island's northeast tip. It is handy straight off an international flight, with no need to go through Papeete, but the boat is far cheaper. The flight schedule changes with the seasons, so check it on the Air Tahiti website.

On the island, a car

On Moorea, a car is close to essential if you want to enjoy the island: public transport is scarce and taxis are very expensive. You have two options: rent on arrival from one of the four agencies at the Vaiare terminal, or bring a car rented on Tahiti over on the ferry, for an extra fee. There is also a rental agency at the entrance to the villa's residence.

Our tip

If you have rented a car on Tahiti, take the ferry and book a space for it: it costs extra, but you can drive off as soon as you land. Without a car, the fast shuttle is the most convenient, and you rent on the island. Either way, in high season, book your crossing ahead.

From the ferry to the villa

From Vaiare, the road follows the north coast past Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, then on to Tiahura: a good half hour, with the lagoon for company. From Temae airport, about 25 minutes. Check-in is from 1 pm, and the beach and restaurants are five minutes away.

Then the road climbs into the hills, a door opens, and there is the lagoon, at the end of the terrace.