Moorea: 4x4 Cruise Excursion Magic Mountain & Pineapple Tasting

Summary

Moorea’s bays, pineapple fields & mountain roads in one wild ride

You’ll ride a 4x4 through Moorea’s lush interior with a local guide, tasting fresh pineapple straight from the field and sipping juice at the island distillery. Take in sweeping views from Magic Mountain and Belvedere Lookout, with time for stories, laughter and small surprises along the way. There’s something about that wind up top you won’t forget.

What’s the experience like?

“You see that curve? My grandfather used to race his truck up here before the tourists came,” our guide Teva grinned, hands loose on the wheel as we bounced along a muddy track in Moorea. I glanced back at my partner — she was laughing, hair full of wind and maybe a bit of red dust. The air smelled sharp, like wet earth and something sweet I couldn’t place yet. We’d barely left the cruise port and already it felt like we were somewhere private, not just ticking off another day trip in Moorea from the ship.

First stop was Cook’s Bay — honestly, I didn’t expect the water to look so glassy blue with those green peaks behind it. Teva pointed out where his cousin fishes, then told us about Captain Cook (I only half-listened because there was a dog sleeping under a breadfruit tree that distracted me). The 4x4 rattled up through pineapple fields after that — not neat rows but scruffy patches, fruit shining gold under big leaves. We jumped out and tried some right there. Sticky fingers, tangy-sweet bite, sun on our faces. Pineapple juice at the distillery tasted nothing like the stuff back home; more floral somehow.

The climb to Magic Mountain was no joke — Teva made us laugh about “Polynesian seatbelts” (meaning: hold on tight). Up top, you get this 360-degree view over both bays and all the green valleys below. It’s windy and quiet except for birds and the sound of someone else’s group cheering nearby. I took a photo but honestly it doesn’t do it justice — there’s this feeling you get when you can see ocean in every direction, you know? On the way down we stopped for homemade jams at a little vanilla plantation; I tried to pronounce “vanille” in French and got it all wrong but nobody seemed to mind.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Moorea 4WD island tour highlights

• Meet guide at ship pier
• Drive to Cook's Bay and admire view
• Visit pineapple fields in caldera and valley
• Taste products at pineapple distillery
• Stop at Belvedere viewpoint
• Visit vanilla plantation and taste jams
• Explore Opunohu Bay
• Visit Magic Mountain viewpoint
• Return to ship

Top questions

How long is the Moorea 4x4 cruise excursion?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours.

Does this day trip in Moorea include pickup from my cruise ship?

Yes, port pickup and drop-off are included for cruise passengers.

What places do we visit on this Moorea shore excursion?

You’ll visit Cook's Bay, Opunohu Bay, pineapple fields, Belvedere Lookout, Magic Mountain, a vanilla plantation, and the island distillery for tastings.

Are food or drinks included on this tour?

Yes, you’ll taste fresh pineapple products and homemade jams at local stops.

Is this Moorea 4x4 tour suitable for young children?

The tour is not recommended for children aged 2 or under; older children must be accompanied by an adult.

Is public transportation available near the meeting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby.

Do I need to bring anything special for this tour?

You should bring water and bug spray; comfortable clothing is also recommended.

Will I have enough time to get back to my cruise ship after the tour?

The excursion is timed so you return with ample time before your ship departs.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off right at your cruise port in Moorea. You’ll travel by 4x4 with a local driver-guide who shares stories along the way. All tastings — fresh pineapple straight from the field, homemade jams at a vanilla plantation, plus juice at Moorea’s distillery — are part of your experience before heading back to your ship relaxed (and probably sticky-fingered).