Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort is an upscale, family-friendly four-star resort on a private beach at Maharepa, on the north-east side of Moorea. It has 110 rooms and bungalows, including overwater villas, beach villas and garden villas, and it sits beside the Moorea Green Pearl golf course. The location is its biggest practical advantage: the airport at Temae is about a three-minute drive away and the ferry terminal around five minutes by car, so transfers are short. Temae Beach, one of the island's most popular public beaches, is a couple of kilometers along the coast. On site there are two restaurants plus a beach bar and a poolside bar, an outdoor pool with loungers and umbrellas, a spa offering facials, manicures and hot stone massages, a 24-hour gym with yoga classes and a water sports program with scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and bike rentals. Free in-room Wi-Fi and free self-parking are included, and the resort offers childcare services and free infant beds. It is a good all-round base for couples and families who want resort comfort on Moorea with easy access to the rest of the island.
Location and getting around
The resort is on the island's north-east coast, close to the airport and ferry, which makes it ideal for short stays or for travelers arriving late and leaving early. Afareaitu Waterfall is within about twenty kilometers, the Belvedere lookout and Opunohu and Cook's Bay are a short drive away, and Maharepa village has shops and restaurants. Renting a car or scooter gives freedom, and the tour desk can arrange 4WD trips, snorkeling and whale watching in season, from roughly July to November.
The rooms and the experience
Overwater villas offer the classic bungalow stay, with a deck and ladder into the lagoon, while the beach and garden villas suit families and groups who want more space and a lower rate. The beach is calm, with shallow water that suits children, and snorkeling is easy from the shore.
Dining options cover casual meals and more formal dinners, and the beach bar is a pleasant place for an evening drink. The resort has a relaxed, polished feel typical of the brand, with attentive service and a good range of activities for children and adults.
Good to know
Check-in runs from 2 p.m. until midnight, with no after-hours check-in, so plan your arrival accordingly, and check-out is at 11 a.m. with late check-out available for a fee. Buffet breakfast carries a surcharge, so compare your rates with and without breakfast. Only service animals are allowed.
Transfer fees are not fixed in advance, so confirm any charge with the resort. Book overwater villas early for popular months, and ask about quieter locations if you are sensitive to noise. For a cheaper stay, look at smaller guesthouses on the coast, but for a resort with an easy airport and ferry link, this is a dependable choice.
Why stay here
- ✓Overwater, beach and garden villas
- ✓Private beach
- ✓Outdoor pool
- ✓Spa treatments
- ✓Two restaurants and two bars
- ✓24-hour gym with yoga
- ✓Diving, snorkeling and kayaks
- ✓Free Wi-Fi and parking
Good questions
How far is Sofitel Moorea from the airport and ferry?+
The airport is about a three-minute drive and the ferry terminal about five minutes by car, so transfers are quick.
Does it have overwater villas?+
Yes, the resort offers overwater villas, beach villas and garden villas across its 110 rooms and bungalows. Overwater categories are popular, so book early for busy months.
Is it good for families?+
Yes, it has childcare services, free infant beds and a calm beach, and the resort is described as family-friendly. Ask about children's rates and activities when you book.
