Moa, French Polynesia
Complete guide to Aeroport de Moorea Temae (MOA) in French Polynesia. Find details on amenities, peak hours, contact info, and regional context for this domestic island airport.
5 features verified at Orestes Acosta Airport
Typical foot-traffic by hour, sourced from Google. Live conditions may differ.
Busiest on Mondays around 9 am — usually busy.
This is a very efficient and small airport with flights to Bora Bora and a few other islands. The staff is helpful, though the airport is so small that it's very simple to navigate. One cafe serves good coffee and some food.
Nice small airport. You can by souvenirs there. There is also small restaurant serving sandwiches, drinks and good coffee. Cash only. It is clean and staff is nice and helpful. Restrooms are clean but no paper towels. I didn't connect to WiFi. It is generally for 30 minutes free
Cute little airport with shops and a bar, LOVE that they're so small and you ARE able to take your beverages on the flight with you. I don't recall there being AC so be warned it may be a little warm depending on time of year, but the process of departing/arriving is simple. I don't recall the name of the bar there, but the manager/owner/tender was very friendly and whipped up some strong drinks for us to have! So good that we ordered a 2nd round to go!
Cute little airport of Moorea. The AirTahiti staff is very kind! There is a nice little boutique, jewelry store and a restaurant to have some coffee or breakfast/lunch. You can use the free, public toilets if you have to. Airportwise, there is only a passport check and bagage pick-up and drop-off. It took only 5 minutes to retrieve the bags. Taxis are outside if you need any. Otherwise, the restaurant has taxi numbers for you to call. They even offered us to borrow their phone! If you use this airport for departure, you can check in your bags and then wait for boarding. Boarding starts 10 minutes before departure. You can take your waterbottle and fruit with you on the plane so no need to throw that out!
Aéroport de Moorea Temae (IATA: MOA) is the sole airport on Moorea, an island in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. Located on the northeastern coast near the village of Temae, the airport serves as the primary gateway for domestic air travel to Moorea from Tahiti and other islands. Operated by the local government, it handles short-haul turboprop flights, predominantly operated by Air Tahiti. The single runway and compact terminal reflect its role as a domestic facility focused on quick, efficient transfers between the islands.
The airport sits on a narrow strip of land between the ocean and Lake Temae, offering dramatic views on approach. Its proximity to the island's main tourist areas—including the famous bays of Cook and Opunohu—makes it a key transit point for visitors. Moorea itself is a popular destination for its volcanic peaks, coral reefs, and lagoons, and the airport's modest scale means arriving passengers can expect a straightforward, hassle-free experience.
The terminal at Moorea Temae provides essential services for travelers. On-site services include a snack bar or small café (operational during flight times), a souvenir shop, and restrooms. The facilities are wheelchair accessible, with designated parking spaces, a level entrance, and accessible toilets. There is no baggage carousel; luggage is delivered onto carts outside the arrival area. Wi-Fi is not consistently available, so visitors should plan accordingly. Currency exchange and ATMs are not present on site; it is advisable to bring local currency (CFP francs) or use services in adjacent towns.
The airport operates on a flight-dependent schedule. It is not open 24 hours a day; terminal doors typically open two hours before the first departure and close after the last arrival. Peak travel times are around 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM, when multiple flights to and from Tahiti are scheduled. During these periods, the check-in area and security queue may be busier. Travelers should arrive at least one hour before departure for domestic flights. The airport may be closed on certain public holidays; checking with the airline or airport phone number is recommended.
The airport is located about 10 minutes’ drive from the main village of Paopao (Maharepa) and approximately 20 minutes from the ferry terminal at Vaiare. Taxis and rental car agencies are available near the arrivals area. There is no public bus service directly to the airport, but private shuttles can be arranged through hotels. Parking is free and close to the terminal building.
Moorea Temae Airport is a vital link in French Polynesia’s domestic air network, connecting Moorea to Faa'a International Airport in Papeete, Tahiti (flight time: ~10–15 minutes). It also serves occasional inter-island flights to Huahine, Raiatea, and Bora Bora. The airport’s runway is 1,200 meters long, suitable for ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft. Despite its small size, the airport handles over 200,000 passengers annually (pre-pandemic figures), making it one of the busier domestic airports in the territory. The terminal’s open-air design is typical of Polynesian airports, emphasizing ventilation and tropical ambiance. Security screening is conducted before boarding, and only ticketed passengers are permitted past the checkpoint.
Given the airport’s limited services, passengers should bring snacks, drinks, and any reading material for potential waits. The snack bar often closes between flights. For assistance, airport staff are available during operations. If you have mobility concerns, request wheelchair assistance from your airline in advance. The airport's compact layout makes navigation easy, and the friendly atmosphere is a welcome start to any island visit.
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Wikipedia
More about Orestes Acosta Airport
Wikipedia
More about Orestes Acosta Airport
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