If you’ve ever dreamed of renting a villa in French Polynesia that’s big enough to bring your entire family, a group of friends, or hey, maybe even your extended cousins twice removed, then let me introduce you to Fare Kuuheiura. This waterfront beauty sits on the quieter side of Moorea, Tahiti’s cheeky little sister, and it’s basically the definition of island living done right.

Picture this: a villa that sleeps up to 16 people comfortably, complete with a private pool, waterslide (yes, really), a gorgeous outdoor kitchen, and an entertaining area that just begs for sunset cocktails and late-night laughter. Add in the lagoon views, tropical breezes, and the feeling that you’ve found your own slice of paradise, and you’ve got a place that makes you want to move in permanently. Trust me, I was already mentally picking out my bedroom within five minutes of arriving.

So whether you’re planning a big family getaway, a special celebration, or you just like the idea of having more lounge chairs than you know what to do with, Fare Kuuheiura is the kind of villa you’ll want to know about. Let’s get into the details.

Location and How to Get There

Fare Kuuheiura is tucked away on the beautiful island of Moorea, one of the most stunning (and criminally underrated) islands in French Polynesia. The best part? It’s super easy to get to from Tahiti, which is where your international flight will land. Tahiti’s airport, PPT, is just outside the capital city of Papeete and has regular flights from the US, Australia, New Zealand, and even the Cook Islands. If you’re coming from Europe, you’ll likely connect through San Francisco or Los Angeles. Airlines like Air France and the newer budget-friendly French Bee make those connections smoother than ever.

Once you’ve landed in Papeete, you’ve got two options to hop over to Moorea. You can take a quick 15-minute flight with Air Tahiti or Air Moana, or you can go the ferry route. The ferry leaves from the port in Papeete, which is just a short cab ride from the airport, and costs around 3000 XPF ($30 USD). Depending on which boat you choose, it takes between 30 and 60 minutes, and is also the cheaper option. Just remember: most taxis are cash only, so grab some Polynesian francs at the ATM inside the terminal.

Now, here’s my top tip: rent a car or scooter once you arrive in Moorea. Taxis exist but are rare, which means lots of pre-arranged pick-ups and drop-offs. Driving yourself is way more convenient, and honestly, the hardest part is finding parking in front of popular spots. Cars drive on the right-hand side (same as the US), and the island basically has one main road that loops all the way around, so getting lost is nearly impossible. If you’re a fan of automatics, book early as most rentals are manual, and the automatics go quickly.

You can also rent a car in Tahiti and take it over on the ferry, but this requires booking in advance because spaces are limited and not every rental company allows their cars off-island. Either way, once you’re in Moorea, the drive to the villa takes about 20–30 minutes from either the airport or ferry terminal. The scenery along the way? Absolutely stunning.

One last bit of advice: download the offline map of Moorea on Google Maps before you go. Wi-Fi outside hotels and villas is practically non-existent, and data is expensive, so having offline navigation is a lifesaver. I also recommend downloading the French offline translation on Google Translate, it makes reading menus and signs a breeze.

Check-in Process

Before even setting foot on Moorea, I was already in touch with Kuulani, the host of Fare Kuuheiura. She was quick to answer all my emails, offer recommendations, and generally make me feel like everything was under control. By the time we arrived, I felt like I already knew her.

Because there were no guests the day before and the villa was already prepped, she kindly let us check in at 9 a.m. Yes, you read that right—9 in the morning. In the world of travel, this is like winning the lottery, and I was over the moon. Kuulani met us in person, gave us the full tour, and patiently explained how everything worked. She pointed out the best spots for snorkeling (the villa is right on the water and comes with its own kayaks), and even handed over a remote for the electric gate so we could come and go with ease. First impressions? Let’s just say the outdoor entertaining space and kitchen had me mentally planning barbecues and cocktail hours before we’d even unpacked.

The Villa

This villa is huge. Like, invite-your-entire-family-and-still-have-room huge. Fare Kuuheiura can sleep up to 16 people, making it perfect for family reunions, group getaways, or just those of us who really appreciate extra space.

The property sits on the southwest side of Moorea, an area that’s quieter and less touristy, with its own sandy waterfront beach just steps away. The estate is made up of the main villa, a fantastic outdoor entertaining area, and a smaller self-contained studio tucked behind with its own driveway. That means you can have privacy if you want it, but still share the amazing communal spaces.

Now let’s talk about the outdoor kitchen, because honestly, this was my favourite part. It’s fully open-air, with a high-top bar, a large dining table, another smaller table on the deck, and loungers scattered around the pool and waterfront. The kitchen itself is made for entertaining, with plenty of counter space, a huge island, full-size gas hob and oven, not one but two oversized fridge-freezers, plus all the smaller appliances you could need. Blender? Check. Coffee machine? Check. Enough glasses to keep the entire group hydrated (or… cocktail-ed)? Double check. There’s even a purified water dispenser that gives you cold water and hot water at the press of a button. As a tea-loving Brit, I nearly shed a tear of joy at the thought of instant boiling water.

Everything is connected by covered walkways, which I didn’t realise how much I would appreciate until a tropical storm rolled through. Instead of beach hopping, we made a pit stop at the local mini market, grabbed supplies, and ended up cooking a feast in the outdoor kitchen while the rain poured down. We stayed dry, full, and slightly smug.

And then there’s the pool. The villa has its own private pool with a waterslide, and yes, it’s every bit as fun as it sounds. Kids would absolutely lose their minds here, but let’s be honest—I went down the slide at least 20 times myself and had zero regrets. Around the pool you’ll find loungers, a trampoline, a small kids’ play area, and even a lanai with cushioned seating. We spent an evening there reading and watching a storm pass, which felt incredibly peaceful.

Inside the main villa, there’s a spacious living room with recliners and a smart TV, although we never turned it on once. The walls are decorated with art prints and postcards of the villa itself, which you can actually buy as souvenirs. Bedrooms? There are four doubles in the main villa, all with air conditioning and beautiful Tahitian prints. The master has its own ensuite, and the other three share a bathroom. There’s also a washing machine off the master bedroom, which is handy for longer stays.

Behind the villa, the smaller self-contained studio adds two more double bedrooms, its own bathroom, a compact living room, and a fully equipped kitchen. Perfect for anyone in your group who wants a little more privacy or for a second family travelling with you.

Facilities

Being right on the water, the villa comes with plenty of toys. You’ll find kayaks and even a traditional Polynesian pirogue to paddle out and explore the lagoon. We were told to stick to the right-hand side for snorkeling and kayaking because the current to the left can get strong. Even just sitting on the deck, we spotted tropical fish, a ray, and multiple sharks. Around 3 to 4 p.m. like clockwork, the sharks would show up. Don’t panic—they were nurse sharks, completely harmless and fascinating to watch. At one point, we counted at least ten swimming around together.

The kitchens are stocked with everything you need to cook, but you’ll want to pick up basics like oil, spices, and coffee when you arrive. The nearest grocery store, Magasin Alan, is less than ten minutes away and surprisingly well stocked. For anything more specific, Champion supermarket is about a 25-minute drive. The purified water dispenser in the outdoor kitchen was another happy surprise—it saved us from constantly buying bottled water.

While the villa is heaven for kids, adults are far from left out. Between the pool, the waterslide, and the lagoon right in front, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. The deck overlooking the water became our unofficial shark-spotting station, and it honestly beat out any nature documentary I’ve ever seen.

Communication

From start to finish, communication with Kuulani was flawless. She’s not only efficient but genuinely warm and welcoming. From answering my many pre-trip questions to letting us check in six hours early, she went above and beyond. You can really feel the care her family puts into managing and maintaining the villa.

Closing Remarks

Fare Kuuheiura isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a full-on experience. With space for 16, a waterfront location, and an outdoor kitchen and entertaining area that will make you want to throw a party every night, it’s hard to imagine why you’d book a hotel instead. Add in the fact that you’re supporting a local family-run business, and it just makes sense.

If you want something more central, check out my review of Villa Kia Ora, which is also owned by Kuulani and her family. Or do what we did and split your stay between both—it’s the best of both worlds. Either way, Fare Kuuheiura delivers that dreamy Polynesian escape you’ve been picturing, complete with sharks at happy hour and a waterslide you’ll never stop using.

Ready to book Fare Kuuheiura? Click Here!

You can find out more about my stay on my “Moorea” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

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