When newcomers look at the blue, calm waters of Moorea Beach for the first time, they instantly understand why it was given such an exotic name. As it is located inside a shallow bay surrounded by rocks, this place is ideal for snorkeling. It is also perfect for beginners, who will discover multiple sea environments (sandy areas, posidonia meadows, rocks…) and spot a decent variety of fish and invertebrate species in less than 6ft of water.
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How to get to Plage Moorea?
Moorea beach is located along Ajaccio bay’s north shore. If driving, take the coastal road leaving from Ajaccio towards Parata point, where the boats to Sanguinaires Islands leave. It is a thirty-minute drive (10 km) from the city center if traffic conditions are good.
You will arrive at a parking lot overlooking the beach. Buses also serve this touristic coastline, famous for its succession of rocky coves and pristine beaches closing on turquoise waters. Stop at “Moorea Plage”. From the bus stop and the parking lot, the stairway will lead you down to the beach in a couple of minutes.
Entering the water to snorkel Plage Moorea
Putting your gear on and entering the water just in front of the Moorea restaurant is the best way to access both advised snorkel areas, which are located on opposite sides of the beach.
Plage Moorea snorkeling tips and recommendations
The exploration area covers two rocky sections located at each extremity of the beach. As the whole coastline offers good snorkeling, those who want more will have the opportunity to extend their session to the east or to the west of the area shown on the map.
Moorea Beach boasts calm, shallow waters sheltered from the waves. The sandy seabed lowers so slowly that one can still walk dozens of meters from the shoreline. As a consequence, this spot is perfect for beginners and for snorkeling with children.
Sandy areas, rocks, and Posidonia meadows alternate on the seabed. Sandy areas are not of much interest, even if mullets or saddled seabream can sometimes be spotted there. Swim all the way to one of the beach extremities and come close to the rocks. Small two-banded seabream, juvenile rainbow wrasse, and even a few East Atlantic peacock wrasse often visit this place.
Try to spot sabella on the rocks: those tubes (10 to 20 cm long) topped with a feathery crown conceal a worm. A few sea urchins and anemones are also set on the rocks.
Posidonia meadows are relatively small on this spot. The most important ones are located just in front of the Moorea restaurant (see the dark patches on the map above). Schools of fry (sometimes a thousand big) gather in this shallow, sheltered environment. Sargo, juvenile wrasse and a few damselfish also commonly visit these areas.
Moorea Beach is not located in a protected area and recreational fishing is authorized in the region. Consequently, the spot generally does not teem with fish and most fish observed are small or juvenile.
Restaurants and accommodation nearby
The Moorea restaurant is set directly on the beach. Saint-Jean is another restaurant located nearby, on the other side of the road. Many hotels, restaurants and snacks gather along the coastal road, but most only open during summer.
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