Afareaitu Waterfalls
Afareaitu Waterfalls
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
93 reviews
Excellent
47
Very good
33
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Trypp Adams
Minneapolis, MN9,575 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
I thought the view from the parking area was better than close up. A gentleman requested $2 to enter and said there were 2 falls, I just went to the large one which was pretty much mist by the time it reach the pool at the bottom. Nice hike, roads a little rough getting there.
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dee N
156 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
10/6/2022 the trail to the waterfall was easy, took us under 20mins. We’re in our late 30s mid 40s, active couple. They trail was pretty dry, but could be slippery after rainfall. Got there around 8am and literally no one else in sight, had the entire waterfall to ourselves for 30mins. It took us 12-15mins to trek back to our car, we just light jogged back. Now, getting to the trail: drove down a very rocky, bumpy “residential” road (drive slow). There’s no sign that’ll say where to park so we drove down to the end of the road and parked behind a white Jeep. Did not have to pay any parking fee. I’m not sure if that was ok but since we were there early enough no one else was driving on that road and we weren’t going to stay at the waterfall for too long. As we were mid way out to the main road we saw a few hikers/locals walking towards the entrance and didn’t see any other cars driving in so I don’t think we were suppose to drive to the entrance. My advice is to go early 730-8am, get in and out quietly and enjoy the waterfall to yourselves.
Written October 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark J
14 contributions
Mar 2020
Ok this did have me a bit concerned. The road gets increasingly rural shall we say. Evenutally it peters out in the jungle, but not to worry out jumps a half clothed crazy looking native with about as many teeth as the front row of a Willie Nelson concert. Welcome to my property he tellls you as he motions toward the jungle. Then he asks for 2 bucks for parking. He seems to be living under a nearby tree and has a some jungle fruit ripening in the sun. He points out the direction to each of the two falls with an explination that its 10 min to that falls, and 1 hour to that falls. We set off hoping we see our car again when we return. Ok ladies, and Californians, no filp flops, you need decent shoes, or none as I catch glimpses of our shoeless "owner" is paralleling us through the jungle. You will cross the river several times. Some rocks are slippery. There was also that one flat rock you pull yourself up by a knotted rope. And the steep mud section that was very slippery and appeared to double as a stream bed in the rain. Well worth it. Consider bringing a swim suit. The pool at the base would make a nice dip after a hot walk, assuming no falling rock. If you plan to stop moving on the trail and use deet, bring some, it is the jungle. Lot of great flowers an fruit along the way.
So we returned and our car was safe an sound, the "owner" was parralleling us in the jungle to pick us some fresh lychees which he gave us on our return.
Enjoy
So we returned and our car was safe an sound, the "owner" was parralleling us in the jungle to pick us some fresh lychees which he gave us on our return.
Enjoy
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danielle s
30 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
I read quite a few reviews that I felt like made this hike seem pretty easy. We went about 8am and parked at the school so we didn’t have to deal with any parking issues. You then walk through the neighborhood straight back for about a mile until you hit the jungle... it’s hot it’s humid and I swear no one has hiked that trail in a year. We had to climb over and under trees. My shoes tore my feet up. Like chewed them up and spit them out before we even got to the waterfall. Once you’re at the water fall or lack there of being that we had no rain on our trip. Be ready for the bugs. We sprayed ourselves down and then it was no problem. It is the jungle after all. Wear good shoes!!! I wore my water/hiking shoes and they are just not made for humidity lol 2.5 miles round trip.
Written October 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wolf_W
Tucson, AZ118 contributions
Dec 2020
Nice hike, but expect lots of mosquitos! You should park at the school, as the road beyond is not in good condition. Trail condition is good, but wearing good shoes is recommended. Not a trail for flip flops. You will pass through the village and farms with bananas before entering an area with trees. Some signs for the trail were missing, but we fortunately had the map downloaded.
Written December 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MisplacedHawaiian
Calgary, Canada28 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
While on Moorea this is a must do if you like to adventure off the beaten path. It was very difficult to find, but after two tries at directions we finally made it! I will help you with that!!
To get there: turn off the main island road by the Ah Sing Market, across the street from the Church. This road will take you past the police station, and a school. Follow the unpaved road (slowly) staying right at the first fork in the road. When you get to the next 'fork' you can park your car on the right side and take the '4x4' road on the left for the start of your hike. The road is quite overgrown but well worth the hike. From the car it may take you 30min to hike up to the waterfalls. While hiking you will have to cross over one stream (don't worry there are rocks to step on) and then when you get to another fork in the hiking trail, take the marked trail to the right (it is marked by a piece of blue and white colored fabric). Follow this path through what my kids called the 'jungle gym' to the water falls and pools that we took a much needed dip in. Great adventure on Moorea and well worth the effort. There is nothing here but wilderness and natural beauty, enjoy the wonderful smells and real Tahitian nature. Bring everything you need including bug spray, water, snacks and water shoes.
To get there: turn off the main island road by the Ah Sing Market, across the street from the Church. This road will take you past the police station, and a school. Follow the unpaved road (slowly) staying right at the first fork in the road. When you get to the next 'fork' you can park your car on the right side and take the '4x4' road on the left for the start of your hike. The road is quite overgrown but well worth the hike. From the car it may take you 30min to hike up to the waterfalls. While hiking you will have to cross over one stream (don't worry there are rocks to step on) and then when you get to another fork in the hiking trail, take the marked trail to the right (it is marked by a piece of blue and white colored fabric). Follow this path through what my kids called the 'jungle gym' to the water falls and pools that we took a much needed dip in. Great adventure on Moorea and well worth the effort. There is nothing here but wilderness and natural beauty, enjoy the wonderful smells and real Tahitian nature. Bring everything you need including bug spray, water, snacks and water shoes.
Written April 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie A
Brisbane, Australia7 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We spent seven amazing days in Moorea. Each day kept being more amazing than the last so it's no wonder we left the waterfall hike till the last day!
It did not disappoint! Thanks to may other travelers and their amazing directions we found these magnificent falls in less than 30 minutes!
The water was only trickling but the rock face itself was majestic enough to warrant the hike. The trial is rocky and medium difficulty, I would not recommend this hike in sandals or if you are unfit of elderly.
I went in gym gear with trainers and that was just perfect!
If you can drag yourself away from snorkeling in brilliant to amazing conditions, in water so blue and crystal clear that it will haunt your memories forever, then get up that mountain side guys and feel at one with this majestic island.
We had a little 50cc Peugeot Tweet which was heaps of fun and got us there.
Here are the directions we used:
It did not disappoint! Thanks to may other travelers and their amazing directions we found these magnificent falls in less than 30 minutes!
The water was only trickling but the rock face itself was majestic enough to warrant the hike. The trial is rocky and medium difficulty, I would not recommend this hike in sandals or if you are unfit of elderly.
I went in gym gear with trainers and that was just perfect!
If you can drag yourself away from snorkeling in brilliant to amazing conditions, in water so blue and crystal clear that it will haunt your memories forever, then get up that mountain side guys and feel at one with this majestic island.
We had a little 50cc Peugeot Tweet which was heaps of fun and got us there.
Here are the directions we used:
Written October 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
callyzea
Cape May, NJ19 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
My husband and I relied on past reviews to find the waterfall. The unpaved road is quite pitted so we parked our Ford Fiesta and walked when we saw a good spot. The first part of the walk continues up the unpaved road and then becomes a slick and muddy 4x4 trail. You cross three mountain streams and after the third stream there is a steep rocky climb right before the falls (hikes like this always save the best for last). We saw 4 other groups during out 1.5 hour hike two of which were in flip flops. We had ankle boots and were glad to have them. We didn't swim in the waterfall pool (we weren't planning to) and we saw an eel (how did it get there?!). We highly recommend it if you like a little adventure. Turn down the road at Ah Sing market and drive past the police station and school, keep right at all of the forks and you'll find it :)
Written November 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dlahs
Redondo Beach, CA23 contributions
Nov 2015
Found the falls on Trip Advisor but found out from our hotel excursion coordinator that they are actually on private property. You need the owners permission to enter and he absolutely will not allow any cars. He is in his 60s I think and he still goes out daily to cut the trees and keep the area looking beautiful! He allows the locals to come to the falls on his property to get fresh water.
You will get lost if you try to find these on your own so please take the only tour available with Yvette. She is known to the hotels so ask your excursion planners at the hotel about the tour of this area. She is amazing and brings a bunch of fruits to each for lunch. She knows everything about the plants and trees on the island and the many ways to use them from communications, time-keeping, medicine and cosmetics. Really fun to hear all of this from her.
This is a very active tour. Very steep trails in some areas and if it rains it can be very slippery. Yvette provides walking sticks for you and you will need them. Bring your swim suit and towel. You are able to swim in two pools and she will take your photos for you.
Bug Spray is a MUST! We kept applying and still came home with about 5-10 bites each. Also bring sunscreen. You are in the jungle most of the time but when you are in the water you are not protected from the sun.
You will get lost if you try to find these on your own so please take the only tour available with Yvette. She is known to the hotels so ask your excursion planners at the hotel about the tour of this area. She is amazing and brings a bunch of fruits to each for lunch. She knows everything about the plants and trees on the island and the many ways to use them from communications, time-keeping, medicine and cosmetics. Really fun to hear all of this from her.
This is a very active tour. Very steep trails in some areas and if it rains it can be very slippery. Yvette provides walking sticks for you and you will need them. Bring your swim suit and towel. You are able to swim in two pools and she will take your photos for you.
Bug Spray is a MUST! We kept applying and still came home with about 5-10 bites each. Also bring sunscreen. You are in the jungle most of the time but when you are in the water you are not protected from the sun.
Written December 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julian H
Sydney, Australia142 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
Not too hard to find if you read other reviews. Basically when you get to the final fork in the unsealed road park (there are only really a couple of spots) and take the right fork up the 4wd track. Rule of thumb is when the powerline ends this is the correct fork. You will cross three streams on the 4wd track and the path beyond it when it ends whilst heading up a slippery at times hill. Virtually at the falls you have to navigate a large boulder then wow - awesome view.
Written September 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sandra4561
Overland Park, KS40 contributions
Is there a tour for the waterfalls or is it a do-it-yourself and pray you go the right way excursion..lol How long of a hike is it?
David P
Middletown1 contribution
Hi, I am going in a couple of weeks and would love to see this. Is there a guided tour that we can use? Thanks!
jokerji
Ann Arbor, MI714 contributions
Great to know and I would definitely recommend in Moorea. Where are you staying and do you have a rental car?
Not sure if there is a legit guided tour since it's a nature trail up to the falls. There might be some local I've seen from an earlier reviewer (Yvette?) who might help, but I thought it was not needed.
Luisa V
San Dimas, CA30 contributions
Hello! We are booked to go in Moorea this August. We really wanted to see the Afareaitu falls. As per your review, you need a car to get there. Where there any car rentals available? We only see the ATVs and roadster but there's 3 of us (me, my husband and our daughter). Any tips for us? Do we still need to hike to be by the falls? Thanks in advance.
Islandtimes4
Chattanooga, TN40 contributions
Hi
We just got back from Moorea. The waterfalls are a perfect activity for your family. You would need to rent a car which is easy to do even for a day. By the Ferry terminal or airport there is Avis and Europecar. The only other option I know of is to take the island bus that locals use. There are two that circle the island all day going in opposite directions. They stop in every town but not sure of their schedules. We saw them often whenever we were out driving. As far as seeing the falls. You can get glimpses of it from far but really should consider the 30 min hike to see the real beauty! The trail head is unmarked and not easy to find. Just go past the school parking area on the only road and keep follow until it seem very very narrow and higher grass. This is a perfect place to park . Locals don't seem to mind as they see tourist do it. They may point you slightly back or gesture to you a better spot as they did us. Just use the word "Cascade" which tells them want your agenda is. And smile! They are friendly. Enjoy😀
Afareaitu Waterfalls - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Afareaitu Waterfalls
- We recommend booking Afareaitu Waterfalls tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Afareaitu Waterfalls tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Afareaitu Waterfalls:
- (0.71 mi) Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
- (0.39 mi) Villa by the sea with beach and huge garden in the heart of the bay.
- (0.62 mi) Fare Maheata Guesthouse
- (4.46 mi) Linareva Moorea Beach Resort
- (0.56 mi) Pension FARE MAHEATA Vai Iti 1 double bedroom
- Restaurants near Afareaitu Waterfalls:
- (0.54 mi) Lilikoi Garden Café
- (0.32 mi) Tama Hau Opunohu's Bay
- (0.81 mi) Toatea Crêperie & Bar
- (0.76 mi) Rotui Grill & Bar
- (0.47 mi) La Macaroulotte
Afareaitu Waterfalls Information
Excellent Reviews | 47 |
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Very Good Reviews | 33 |
Afareaitu Waterfalls Photos | 61 |