BEST Moorea Overwater Bungalows & Resorts 2023
Looking into the best overwater bungalows and resorts in Moorea?
“The Magical Island” of Moorea is an idyllic destination for travelers seeking to experience all the best of French Polynesia on one island. The island of Moorea sits just 10 miles from Tahiti, full of lush jungles, stunning beaches, and crystal-clear lagoons to explore.
Moorea also has a few incredible resorts with overwater bungalows to book for a particularly special or romantic holiday in French Polynesia.
We spent two whole months living in Moorea, which was a dream come true.
We love island life, but the best part of our extended stay in French Polynesia was staying at Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Resort & Spa.
In this article, we’ll tell you all about our stay and the other options for overwater bungalows in Moorea, along with logistics for how to book, which room to choose, and other tips that will help you plan your trip to Moorea!
Best Overwater Bungalows In Moorea
Moorea only has three resorts with overwater bungalows. There used to be four, but Intercontinental’s resort closed its doors in 2020 due to managerial issues.
These luxury resorts in Moorea are genuinely stunning, yet the nightly rate is just a fraction of other bucket-list destinations like Bora Bora or the Maldives. So you can have a luxurious experience for a fraction of the price of overwater bungalows in Bora Bora or Maldives.
But before you book your resort, you should always consider the resort’s geographical location on the island.
All three resorts with overwater bungalows are on the northern half of Moorea, where most restaurants and other amenities on the island are (including the airport and ferry terminal).
The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Hotel Manava Beach Resort & Spa are more centrally located, which is excellent for being close to everything and having food options outside of the resort.
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort is slightly farther from the town center and busy streets, so it’s quieter and offers an exceptionally peaceful environment. The tradeoff is that it’s a farther drive for things to do around the island.
Let’s discuss more details about each overwater bungalow resort in Moorea.
1. Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort
Sofitel Moorea Kia Ora Resort & Spa is our top recommendation for the best resort in Moorea to stay in an overwater bungalow.
The resort sits on the eastern shore of Moorea, and it has the only option with a view of Tahiti across the lagoon from your overwater bungalow.
This resort connects to Temae Beach (one of our favorite Moorea beaches) and has many activities on-site. But there isn’t much else around the resort, creating a peaceful environment for your honeymoon or a romantic trip to French Polynesia.
💡Pro Tip: For tighter budgets Sofitel Moorea Kia Ora also has bungalows with a garden view and beachfront bungalows for a slightly cheaper rate.
You have a choice of the Superior Overwater Bungalow or the Luxury Overwater Bungalow. Both options include:
- Complimentary breakfast
- Free WiFi
- King bed + additional single bed
- Private terrace with direct lagoon access
- Air conditioning
- Ceiling fan
- Rain shower
- Minibar
- Satellite TV
The most significant difference between them is the size of the room.
At 452 sqft he Luxury Bungalows are nearly double the size of the Superior Bungalows, and the bed faces out towards the ocean.
And while both rooms offer direct access to the lagoon, instead of chairs on the terrace like the Superior Bungalows, the Luxury Bungalows have sun loungers and slightly more space to lay in the sun!
We got to stay in the Luxury Overwater Bungalow. and our favorite part was the large bed facing out with a view of the ocean.
It was a surreal experience to have a view of the lagoon right from our bed in the morning!
The hotel itself offers two restaurants, which is convenient because there isn’t much else around the resort.
Pure is the Sofitel’s contemporary restaurant at the edge of the lagoon that serves international dishes every day of the week, plus special Polynesian dishes every Sunday.
The other restaurant is K. It’s a more intimate restaurant, with a unique rotating menu and personalized wine pairings with each order.
You can order food from either restaurant to your room for a small surcharge, and there are even two different bars at the resort!
Best Overwater Bungalow to Book: Luxury Overwater Bungalow 1 King Bed
Top amenities include:
✅ Complimentary Breakfast
✅Private terrace with direct lagoon access
✅Snorkeling gear
✅Access to the full service spa
✅Fully stocked mini bar
✅Use of outdoor swimming pool
✅Free WiFi
2. Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa is a world-class, 5-star resort that offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for travelers in Moorea.
The Hilton Moorea Lagoona Resort is on the northern shore of the island, nestled between Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay, so you’ll find stunning views in every direction and is conveniently located to lots of other restaurants, convenience stores, and directly across the road from the hike to Mount Rotui.
As you would expect from a luxury resort in French Polynesia, this luxurious island resort has plenty of amenities.
A vibrant coral reef sits below your bungalow, a huge swimming pool with views of the mountains and the ocean, plus a private beach is just steps from each bungalow.
There are three restaurants with a bar at each one. All three restaurants serve international cuisine and local dishes which creates a great meal for both adventurous eaters as well as people in the mood for a more familiar dinner.
💡Pro Tip: Why not enjoy dinner for two in your bungalow? Room service can be ordered for a small surcharge from any of the three restaurants.
There are slightly more affordable garden bungalows but the three overwater bungalow options are the best choices for a luxury stay.
You can choose between the basic King Overwater Bungalow, the King Overwater Bungalow with Panoramic View and the King Premium Overwater Bungalow with Panoramic View.
All three overwater bungalow options have similar prices at $1,200-1,500/night and similar amenities. All overwater bungalows include:
- Spacious 667 sqft bungalow
- Complimentary breakfast
- King bed
- Private terrace with chairs and sun loungers
- Direct lagoon access
- Glass floor viewing panel
- Sitting area
- Rain shower
- Clawfoot tub
- Air conditioning
- Free WiFi
- TV
The only difference between the overwater bungalows is the view. The King Overwater Bungalow offers a lagoon view and mountain view.
The King Overwater Bungalow with a Panoramic View is further out on the pontoon for a more complete lagoon view and additional privacy.
Finally, the King Premium Overwater Bungalow with Panoramic View is located at the far end of the pontoon with the best views and most privacy.
Recommended Room: King Overwater Bungalow with Panoramic View
Top amenities include:
✅Complimentary Breakfast (available in your room)
✅Panoramic view
✅Private terrace with direct lagoon access
✅Private beach access
✅Snorkeling gear
✅Tennis Court and fitness center
✅Access to day spa ($)
✅Watersports and other excursions
✅Outdoor swimming pool
3. Hotel Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea
Staying at Hotel Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea is a slightly more budget-friendly overwater bungalow option in Moorea.
Each overwater bungalow’s nightly rate is $100-200 cheaper than similar rooms at other resorts.
The luxury, 4-star resort is on the northeast shore of the heart-shaped island in a neighborhood called, Maharepe. It is close to the airport and the ferry terminal, so you can easily catch a boat to Tahiti or get an early morning flight to Bora Bora.
Despite its central location, you will find that the resort is situated far enough from the main town to remain peaceful at all hours of the day.
You’ll also have easy access to dining at the resort’s two French-Polynesia fusion restaurants and complimentary breakfast available with each overwater bungalow.
Hotel Manava offers an Overwater Bungalow and a Premium Overwater Bungalow.
While both bungalows are located over the water, the Overwater Bungalow faces the beach and the mountains, while the Premium Overwater Bungalow faces out to the lagoon.
Both bungalows options include:
- King bed + additional bed
- Private terrace with sun loungers
- Direct lagoon access
- Glass bottom table
- Air conditioning
- Ceiling fan
- Mini bar
💡Pro Tip: Other than the view, the Premium Overwater Bungalow features a walk-in shower, and the Overwater Bungalow offers a shower or a tub.
Recommended Room: Premium Overwater Bungalow
Top amenities include:
✅King bed
✅Stunning lagoon view
✅Private terrace with sun loungers
✅Direct lagoon access
✅Private beach access
✅Snorkel gear
✅Day spa access ($)
✅Outdoor swimming pool
How Much Does It Cost To Stay In An Overwater Bungalow In French Polynesia?
Staying in an overwater bungalow in French Polynesia has a wide range of price points, depending on the resort and time of year. It also depends on which island you visit.
But generally, staying in an overwater bungalow costs between $400 and $15,000 per night.
Overwater bungalows in Bora Bora have a significantly higher price tag than Moorea. The base rates start around $1,500 per night in Bora Bora, and for the most luxurious bungalows, you could spend upwards of $10,000-15,000 per night.
But in Moorea, 5-star resorts such as Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort and Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa offer guests the most luxurious experience and amenities for closer to $1,000/night.
Other islands in French Polynesia, such as Tahiti and Huahine, are also more affordable than Bora Bora, similar to the price of an overwater bungalow in Moorea.
But no matter where you choose to stay in French Polynesia, spending a few nights in an overwater bungalow is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience that’s totally worth the splurge.
💡Pro Tip: Most resorts will not offer complimentary transportation to/from Tahiti, but will pick you up at Moorea airport/ferry terminal upon request!
BEST Things To Do In Moorea
Moorea is a must-visit destination island full of breathtaking scenery and exciting things to do for all types of travelers in French Polynesia. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, Moorea has something for you.
Adventure travelers will love joining one of the many snorkeling & diving excursions, hiking through the jungle, whale watching, and booking Jeep tours to the top of Magic Mountain.
On the other hand, Moorea offers gorgeous beaches, relaxing catamaran sailing trips, pineapple plantation guided tours, relaxing overwater bungalows, and E-bike rentals for visitors who prefer to travel at a slower pace and relax in Moorea.
Moorea offers a wealth of things to do that will make your vacation unforgettable. Here are a few of our personal favorites from our two-month stay in Moorea.
- Rent E-Bikes in Moorea (4-hour & 8 Hour Rental options)
- Swim with Sharks and Rays
- Summit Magic Mountain
- Go Whale Watching in Moorea
French Polynesia FAQs
We want you to leave this article equipped with all the information you need to enjoy your trip to Moorea, so we’re answering some of the most common questions we get about traveling to French Polynesia and staying in overwater bungalows.
Are Overwater Villas Safe?
Yes, overwater villas are safe, and each bungalow has a separate entrance that is securely locked to ensure the safety of all guests.
Most of these luxury resorts also offer 24-hour security at the resort to give you extra peace of mind and have additional surveillance at the entrance and exit of the resort.
Additionally, all the overwater bungalows in Moorea are sturdy and built to last even in harsh weather conditions, so you are not in danger while sleeping in an overwater bungalow.
Is Moorea Worth a Visit?
Absolutely! Moorea is one of our favorite places we have ever visited, and it’s an incredible destination for those looking for a luxurious paradise island getaway.
The island is home to some of the most beautiful overwater bungalows in the Pacific Ocean, stunning lagoons, the impressive Mt Rotui and fun adventures like ATVing. Plus, the climate is almost perfect all year round!
Are There Any Cheap Overwater Bungalows in Moorea?
Yes, there are some cheaper overwater bungalow options in Moorea. For example, at Hotel Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea, you can expect to pay less than $1,000 per night at an overwater bungalow.
If you are willing to sacrifice being directly over the water, the best resorts in Moorea have beachfront bungalows and luxurious bungalows with a garden view for just $400-600 per night.
You’ll still get all the amenities and comfort of a 5-star resort, giving you plenty of value for your money.
The Wrap-Up: Moorea Overwater Bungalows
We’re sure it is obvious by now that we adored our extended stay in Moorea. We honestly think it’s a beautiful destination for those looking to escape reality and enjoy a luxurious getaway in paradise without spending a fortune.
The Sofitel Moorea Resort & Spa is our highest recommendation, but the Hilton Lagoon Lagoon Resort & Spa is also a great luxury option.
For those who are on tight budget, definitely go for the Hotel Manawa Beach Resort & Spa. You won’t regret it!