Moorea Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
20-50 Mbps (Fiber available in some areas, but speeds vary by resort and pension) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
CFP Franc (XPF). 1 USD ≈ 110 XPF. Fixed exchange rate 1 EUR = 119.33 XPF. |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Generally not drinkable; stick to filtered or bottled water like Eau Royale. |
| 🔌 Power |
220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets (European standard) |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Vini or Vodafone JP. Pre-paid 'Vinicard' 2GB for approx. 2,500 XPF ($23) at Moorea Airport or local boutiques. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Banque de Polynésie, SOCREDO, Banque de Tahiti. Revolut is limited; local cash is essential. |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Mix of luxury overwater bungalows and family-run 'Pensions'. Airbnb is active but expensive. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Moderate. Major resorts/supermarkets accept cards; local snacks and craft markets are cash-only. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb and Moorea Beach Lodge (approx. $250/night). |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Mark's Place Moorea ($80-$120/night) or Moorea Surf Inn ($90/night). |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Teavaro (near Temae Beach) and Cook's Bay for scenery. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Maharepa. It is the commercial hub with the best access to shops, cafes, and stable connectivity. |
| 🏙️ City |
Moorea, Îles du Vent, French Polynesia |
| 👥 Population |
18,000 |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
None dedicated. Most nomads work from 'L'Espace Coworking' in Papeete (Moore's sister island) via a 30-min ferry. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Carameline in Maharepa. Offers reliable Wi-Fi, great coffee, and a shaded outdoor seating area. |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Informal meetups often happen at the Moorea Beach Club on Friday evenings. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Expatriés à Tahiti & Ses Îles Facebook group is the primary hub for organizing local gatherings. |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
No apps like Uber. Taxis are expensive and must be called by phone (e.g., Moorea Taxi Service: +689 87 70 51 01). |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Moorea Fun Boat & Bike (Maharepa). Scooters cost approx. 5,500 XPF ($50) per day. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Temae Beach. Public white sand beach with views of Tahiti. Free access. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Air Tahiti (Island hopping flights). |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
Air Tahiti Nui and French Bee (Flying into Faa'a International, Tahiti). |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
One main coastal road (Route de Ceinture) of 60km circling the island. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Vaiare Ferry Terminal. Aremiti and Terevau ferries connect Moorea to Papeete regularly ($15 one way). |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Le Truck (Local bus). No passes; pay approx. 300 XPF per ride. Service is infrequent. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Ferry to Tahiti (30-45 mins) or short 15-min flight via Air Tahiti. |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Moorea Medical Clinic (Afareaitu). For serious issues, transport to CHPF Hospital in Tahiti is required. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Moorea Yoga in Ha'apiti. Private and group sessions in outdoor pavilions. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Moorea Gym in Maharepa. Basic weights and cardio equipment (day passes available). |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Laverie Moorea in Maharepa. Self-service and drop-off available. |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
None. Most local 'Snacks' (takeaway spots) require pickup. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Poisson Cru au Lait de Coco (Raw tuna marinated in lime and coconut milk). |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Golden Lake in Maharepa. Offers vegetable stir-fry and tofu dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
La Banane Verte in Ha'apiti for homemade fruit sorbets and tarts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Super U (Are) and Champion (Maharepa). Best for local groceries. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Limited. Amazon shipping is very expensive; locals use 'Fenua Shopping' (Tahiti-based). |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Not widely available; individual arrangements with local pensions only. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Holy Steak House (Ha'apiti). Features a bar with panoramic views and live music on weekends. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Brasserie de Tahiti (Hinano Beer is the local staple, brewed in nearby Tahiti). |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
Le Moorea Beach Club offers a sophisticated wine selection by the lagoon. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Snack Mahana. Famous for waterfront seafood at street-food prices (approx. $20 for a large plate). |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Rudy's (French/Steakhouse) in Maharepa. Famous for parrotfish stuffed with shrimp. |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Belvedere Lookout. Provides views of both Opunohu and Cook's Bay. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Te Mana O Te Moana (Marine turtle conservation center at the InterContinental). |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Marae Tefauroa. Ancient Polynesian stone temples located in the Opunohu Valley. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Église de la Sainte-Famille (Ha'apiti). A picturesque red-roofed church against green mountains. |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Heiva i Moorea (July). Cultural festival with traditional dancing, chanting, and sports. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Tiki Village Cultural Center. Offers traditional feast nights and dance shows. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
None. Cultural performances are usually hosted within larger resorts. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Pao Pao Market. Sells fresh fish, tropical fruits, and local crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Traditional Ukulele and drumming performances at local hotels every evening. |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Limited; look for hand-painted wooden signs and murals in the Maharepa shopping area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Foodie Moorea Tours often include hands-on 'poisson cru' preparation workshops. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Galerie l'Atelier located in the village of Ha'apiti for local Polynesian paintings. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
The Kellum House. An old colonial-style estate in Opunohu Bay. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
Tattoo culture; Moorea is home to world-class traditional Polynesian tattoo artists. |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Opunohu Valley. Features lush hiking trails and pineapple plantations. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Moorea Lagoon (Protected Marine Area). Excellent for snorkeling/diving. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
The loop trail around the juice factory and pineapple fields near Cook's Bay. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Magic Mountain. Accessible via 4x4 or a steep hike for a 360-degree lagoon view. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
The forested slopes of Mount Rotui for sighting the Moorea Reed Warbler. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Generally discouraged on public beaches; permitted at private beachfront pensions with permission. |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
OPT (Office des Postes et Télécommunications). Locations in Maharepa and Papetoai. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
Very limited; must take the ferry to 'iStore' or 'Cyber-Tahiti' in Papeete. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Recreational tables available at the Moorea Beach Lodge for guests. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Private French/Tahitian lessons can be arranged through local teachers on the 'Moorea Community' Facebook page. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Small municipal library in Afareaitu; quiet but lacks high-speed internet. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Mairie (Town Hall) of Afareaitu often hosts local communal events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
None available; mobile gaming is common among locals. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Gambling is illegal in French Polynesia; no casinos on the island. |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 750,000 XPF per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $270,000) in Maharepa. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 500,000 XPF per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $180,000) in southern areas. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 700,000 XPF per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $380,000) in prime lagoon-front areas. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 450,000 XPF per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $245,000) in Ha'apiti. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 650,000 XPF per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $470,000) near Cook's Bay. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 400,000 XPF per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $290,000) for inland properties. |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
Variable, usually between 25-27% for most businesses in French Polynesia. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
5% to 15% depending on residency status. |
| 🏦 Tax System |
French Polynesia has its own tax autonomy. No personal income tax for individuals (except for specific solidarity taxes). |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
0% for personal income (one of the few jurisdictions without it). |
| 🧾 VAT |
TVA is 5%, 13%, or 16% depending on the goods/services. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
Follows French-aligned anti-avoidance principles but with local adaptations. |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Yes, 'Taxe Foncière' based on the rental value of the property. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
High; Registration fees and notary fees typically total 9% to 11%. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Highly attractive due to 0% personal income tax, though residency permits (Long Stay Visa) are required for stays over 90 days for non-EU citizens. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING MOOREA