mo'orea. the vegan travel guide.

writing about unpopular destinations is bittersweet. i want everyone to experience the magic that this earth has cultivated, but that comes with a cost. overtouristing. environmental destruction. disrespect towards native people. i write this in hopes that on your adventures you take special care to respect mama gaia and her creations.

if you’ve been following my instagram for a few months, you’ve probably seen the influx of lush forest, turquoise seas and bikini wear compared to my normal colorado life pictures.

mo’orea is paradise, simply put. it’s everything you want from hawaii but more adventurous, everything you want from bora bora but more authentic, and everything you want from bali but easier to get to. as you arrive on the ferry, the looming mountains will make you awestruck, guaranteed or your money back.

if you don’t already know, mo’orea is part of french polynesia, a string of islands sitting smack dab in the middle of the pacific. her better known sisters tahiti and bora bora tend to get all the clout, leaving mo’orea almost untouched by instagram honeymooners.

mo’orea is known for the stark contrast of towering, lush mountains to the crystal clear pacific waters below. shells perfect if you are looking to combine luxury and adventure. there are multiple options for overwater bungalows to return home to after a full day of hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, or just laying on the beach devouring passion fruits.

many airlines fly into papeete, the capital of tahiti. from there it’s just a 45 minute ferry ride do the green goddess herself.

unless you’re one of the vegans who never eats fruits or veggies, you’re going to be juuuust fine. while there are no vegan/vegeatarian restaurants on mo’orea, lemme clue you in on some of the best places to get that plant based grub.

my biggest piece of advice for traveling to french polynesia is to pack the vegan staples with you. things can get pretty expensive pretty fast, so bringing some oats, rice, almond milk, packets of soy sauce and even some boxed vegan ramen or mac and cheese can save you a lot of money. if money isn’t an issue, then indulge on the following places to your hearts content.

this was our 7th time getting lilikoi. no joke.

fruit stands.

fruit stands are abundant along the main road circling the island. every thousand feet you’ll stumble across a small stand selling lilikoi, rambutans, papayas, coconuts and a plethora of fresh veggies. prices are generally reasonable, but you’re welcome to negotiate a little bit.

super-u.

super-u is located on the north side of the island at the bottom of cook’s bay. it’s a pretty standard grocery store, with baked goods, frozen meals and some produce. if you’re looking for vegan staples like rice, oats, non-dairy milk and tofu this is your best bet! prices are a little higher than the states, but it’s reasonable for a tiny island in the middle of the ocean.

as always, make sure to bring reusable bags with you!

beach sunset (the restaurant).

they really live up to their name here. the main draw of beach sunset is the amazing sunset you get along the water as you eat. they have labeled vegan options here! i got the coconut curry, which was a little too creamy for my taste but my non-veggie family loved it.

restaurant tiahura.

located along the northwestern hump of the heart, resturant tiahura specializes in fish and seafood. don’t let that deter you though! i had a vegetable curry that i would fly back for right this moment.

coco beach, with a passion fruit mojito in my hand and very few cares.

coco beach.

coco beach is a whole ass attraction. it’s not actually on mo’orea, as you have to take a 15 minute boat ride over to a tiny island. the boat ride is free, with the stipulation that you eat at the restaurant located right where they let you off. the food and drinks here are average quality and a little pricey, but it’s worth it for the day spent snorkeling around the tiny island and relaxing in the 80 degree water. veggie options are limited to salads and drinks.

lilikoi garden cafe.

unfortunately i didn’t end up making it over there, but google, trip advisor AND happy cow all say this is the best veggie spot on the island. although i can’t speak from personal experience, i would say it’s worth a go.

snack mahana.

if you ask any local where to eat, the answer is always snack mahana. this is an establishment unto itself on mo’orea. personally, i didn’t have the best experience there, and i just ended up getting rice. if you’re gonna go, be prepared to create your own meal with sides or drink a lotta alcohol.

if you’re headed to mo’orea, i would love to see your adventures (and plant based goodies). tag me on instagram @looseleafsoul.