When people think of Moorea, they picture its gorgeous beaches, turquoise waters, overwater bungalows and all that. They often overlook its hidden gems like Afareaitu Waterfalls.
When you’re on your Moorea trip, I’d recommend dedicating a day to explore Moorea’s landscapes and its natural beauty. Maybe rent an ATV and cruise through the remote areas, or go for a hike to one of the amazing spots like Afareaitu Falls.
There aren’t many waterfalls in Moorea as you would find in Tahiti. There are just a few here and Afareaitu Waterfall is the one you’ll probably hear about the most.
What is the Afareaitu Waterfalls?
The Afareaitu Waterfalls are two of the most popular waterfalls in Moorea located in the southeastern part of the island in Afareaitu village. One waterfall is about 80 meters (262 feet) high and the other stands over 100 meters (328 feet). They both have natural pools below in which they cascade.
From the base of the falls, you see majestic hills and water flowing down them. Since the waterfalls are tucked away in the green hills behind the village, it feels like you’re in nature’s sanctuary. If you go during rainy season, the falls are even more powerful and the scene is just breathtaking.
The waterfalls are fed by two streams named Putoa and Vaioro streams and their main source of water is rainfall. The runoff forms the smaller streams that wind through the valley and eventually flow into the ocean.
What does Afareaitu mean? Afareaitu in Tahitian means “House of the God”.
How to get to Afareaitu Waterfalls
Getting to Afareaitu Waterfalls isn’t too hard. The path is quite straightforward but does include a dirt road and some hiking at the end.
First you need to make your way to the village of Afareaitu on the southeast coast of Moorea. You’ll need a rental car or a scooter to get there. It’s about 6 miles from Moorea airport and 3 miles from Moorea ferry terminal and is roughly a 10 to 15-minute drive.
Next you have to decide which waterfall you want to visit. The routes to Putoa waterfall and Vairo waterfall are totally different.
Putoa Waterfall route
If you’re heading south, the road to Putoa waterfall turns off the main road just after the Afareaitu Hospital. It’s starts out paved but turns to a dirt road near Afareaitu Middle School after a few minutes of driving. There’s plenty of space to park around there.
You can also drive farther down the dirt road and park near the trailhead. A local might stop you and ask for 200 XPF (about $2) for parking. He’ll also point you towards the waterfall and let you know if it’s flowing or dried up.
Vairo Waterfall route
The path to Vairo Waterfall starts out narrow and paved and then turns into a dirt road that goes through some local houses. It branches off the main road near Afareaitu hospital. If you’re heading south, the turn comes up on your right just before the hospital.
You can park your scooter or car near Afareaitu pharmacy or at Atiraa Parking and start your walk from there. Or you can drive up as further as you can and park where you find a good spot to save some walking distance.
But keep in mind that some locals might ask for a parking fee. I’d only recommend experienced drivers to take their vehicles further since the road is not in very good condition.
Afareaitu Waterfalls Hikes
The hike to the Afareaitu Waterfalls is of moderate difficulty as the trail is rough and have a few steep and slippery sections. It takes around 1-2 hours to hike in and back depending on your starting point.
Since Afareaitu Waterfalls (Vairo and Putoa) have different routes that take you to them, hiking experience is a bit different.
Hike to Vairo Waterfall
The path to Vairo Waterfall is around 1 mile and is easier than the one to Putoa Waterfall. The trail is not well marked but it’s quite straightforward, so just keep going. The path is wider in the beginning but gets narrower as you enter the forest.
As you move forward, you’ll find that trail gets rough and rocky and have a few slippery sections. Good thing is that forest trees help you hide from the hot Sun. On your way, you’ll pass a small stream and waterfall.
Beware of fire ants as they are everywhere in the forest, so wear insect repellent.
This trail also leads to Mount Mouaputa but the path splits off a few meters before you reach the waterfall.
After about an hour of walking, you’ll reach the waterfall and it looks absolutely incredible as you see it up close. It’s hidden in the valley and feels like you’ve discovered some secret paradise.
Hike to Putoa Waterfalls
The hike to Putoa waterfall is about 2 miles roundtrip, but you can make it shorter about a mile if you start from the fork. Take right path at the fork where there’s usually a man standing asking for parking fee.
The trail starts off nice and wide but gets narrower and overgrown as you head into the forest. It’s not well marked and can get a bit confusing at times, but don’t worry and just keep going straight. You’ll spot lots of tropical fruit hanging from the trees along the way.
The path in the forest is rough and there are many steep and slippery sections. You’ll have to cross multiple streams, it’s usually shallow but during heavy rain the water can be knee deep, so avoid hiking during that time. The trail after the second stream is steep and involves a bit of scrambling.
After 30-40 minutes of hiking, you’ll reach the waterfall cascading down the majestic hill. It’s bigger than the Vaioro Fall. The waterfall will take your breath away if it’s flowing at full. You can take a dip in its pool and refresh yourself.
Afareaitu Waterfalls Tours
One of the best ways to see Afareaitu waterfalls is by booking a tour. That way you don’t just see waterfalls but learn all the interesting stuff about them and can make your trip more enjoyable.
Half-Day Guided Hike to Afareaitu Waterfall
This half-day tour starts in the morning and takes you through the Afareaitu Valley in a 4×4. You’ll get to explore the valley, learn about local flora and fauna and hear stories about the waterfall.
The best part of the tour is that it’s budget-friendly and includes lunch and local fruit tasting at the end.
Enjoy Moorea Day Tour
If you want to see Moorea’s top sights including Afareaitu waterfalls in a single day, this tour is a great option.
In this group tour of maximum 8 people, your guide will take you all over the island. You’ll visit places like Temae Beach, Belvedere Lookout, Magic Mountain, Moorea’s tropical garden, and one of the waterfalls in Afareaitu Valley.
You’ll learn about the island’s culture and history – it’s a great way to spend your day on Moorea.
Things to know before visiting Afareaitu Waterfalls
Afareaitu is a sacred place
There are remnants of ancient Polynesian temples in Afareaitu Valley. Locals say that waterfalls were once visited by ancient Polynesian chiefs and priests and they believe it’s a scared spot blessed with spiritual energy.
So, try to be respectful when you’re exploring the area and visiting the waterfalls.
Afareaitu Valley has more than one waterfall
Many people don’t know that Afareaitu Waterfalls are actually two separate waterfalls, not just one. There’s Putoa and Vaioro and they’re both named after the streams that flow into them.
But can’t blame the people since both the waterfalls are in Afareaitu commune, so everyone just calls them Afareaitu Waterfalls.
You might be thinking now which one’s worth visiting? Both are great falls and equally potent, you won’t be disappointed at either.
Bring an insect repellent
The path to the waterfalls goes through the forest and lush vegetation. There will be ants and mosquitos ready to bite you, so an insect repellent is a must.
Waterfalls are best seen right after rain
The best time to see the Afareaitu Waterfalls is during the wet season from November to April. That’s when it rains most in Moorea and waterfalls are at their strongest.
You can visit other times too but try to go right after rain so you find the water in good flow and not just a trickle.
Rain makes trails slippery
If you’re trekking to the waterfalls during or right after rainfall, then wear good hiking shoes or mud shoes as the trail will be muddy and a lot more slippery.
Avoid visiting waterfalls in heavy rain
Heavy rains not only make the hike to the waterfalls more challenging but there’s also a risk of flash flooding. Since you have to cross rivers to reach the waterfalls, it can be dangerous.
Avoid swimming directly under waterfall
When swimming in the pool, make sure that you don’t go directly under it as there’s a risk of falling rocks.
Answers to the questions you might have
Is it worth it to visit Afareaitu Waterfalls?
Yes absolutely, it’s worth every penny and time you spend here and you won’t even regret it.
Is it safe to visit Afareaitu Waterfalls?
Yes, it’s safe to visit Afareaitu Waterfalls even if it’s raining a bit. Just try to avoid going when the weather’s really bad or there’s heavy rain.
Are the tickets required?
No tickets are required, you’re free to visit the Afareaitu Waterfalls. Just make sure you bring some cash because sometimes a local guy asks for a $2 fee for passing through and parking.
Is swimming allowed?
Yes, it’s permitted to swim in the pool at Afareaitu Waterfalls.
How many days do you need in Moorea?
I’d say 5 to 7 days are more than enough for this small island if you don’t want to get bored.
