Want to Live Your Own Moana Adventure? These Pacific Islands Bring the Film to Life

Disney's live-action Moana has brought the Pacific back into the spotlight, but the real-life inspiration behind the story is arguably even more spectacular.

Released this July, the new live-action film follows in the wake of the original animated classic and its sequel, once again drawing travellers towards the islands, ocean and cultures that inspired the story.

For anyone who has ever watched Moana sail beyond the reef and thought I want to go there, there is good news: Samoa and Tahiti offer plenty of ways to experience the landscapes, traditions and ocean adventures that feel remarkably close to the world of the film.

From sailing traditional Polynesian canoes across turquoise lagoons to exploring volcanic mountains, swimming in natural pools and experiencing traditional island feasts, here's how to plan a Moana-inspired holiday in the South Pacific.

Start in Tahiti, Where Disney Found Inspiration for Moana

The connection between Tahiti and Moana is particularly strong. During the development of the original animated film, Disney's creative team travelled to Tahiti, Moorea and Huahine, researching the islands' landscapes, culture and mythology. Tahiti Tourisme even has an official Moana Experience, guiding visitors towards places and experiences connected to the film's inspiration.

And once you're there, it's not difficult to see why:

Explore Moorea's Mountains and Lagoons

Moorea could almost have been lifted from a Disney storyboard. The island's dramatic green peaks rise behind white-sand beaches and brilliantly coloured lagoons, creating the kind of landscape that makes you understand why it helped inspire the fictional island of Motunui.

Spend the day exploring the lagoon by boat, snorkelling among tropical marine life or heading inland to discover the island's lush landscapes.

For a more adventurous take on the Moana experience, explore Moorea by outrigger canoe, paddleboard or kayak, or take a guided excursion across the island.

Sail a Traditional Polynesian Outrigger Canoe

If there's one Moana-inspired experience that belongs on any itinerary, it's getting out on the water in a va'a, the traditional Polynesian outrigger canoe.

In Tahiti, the va'a is far more than a tourist experience. It is an integral part of Polynesian culture and has historically been used for transportation and fishing as well as sport. Today, visitors can take to the lagoon themselves and experience the distinctive rhythm of paddling an outrigger canoe.

For travellers wanting to feel like a true ocean explorer, this may be as close as it gets to stepping into Moana's world.

Discover Huahine, the Inspiration Behind Te Fiti

Disney's creative team also visited Huahine, an island that helped inspire the character of Te Fiti. Rather than simply ticking off a fictional reference point, travellers can experience the island through its landscapes, archaeological heritage and Polynesian culture.

The island's quieter atmosphere makes it particularly appealing for luxury travellers looking beyond the better-known resorts of French Polynesia.

Go Beneath the Lagoon

Moana's world is defined by its relationship with the ocean, and Tahiti's underwater world is just as spectacular as what lies above it.

The Islands of Tahiti are renowned for their lagoons, with opportunities for snorkelling, diving, paddleboarding, surfing and va'a. The average water temperature is around 26°C year-round, making it possible to spend long days exploring the water. For something more indulgent, private boat excursions allow travellers to explore secluded stretches of lagoon and remote motu at their own pace.

Then Go to Samoa for the Culture Behind the Adventure

While Tahiti offers a direct connection to the landscapes that inspired Disney's animation, Samoa provides a compelling way to experience the wider Polynesian culture and sense of community that makes Moana resonate so strongly.

Samoa's traditional way of life, known as Fa'a Samoa, has developed over more than 3,000 years and remains central to everyday life. Visitors can experience Samoan culture through village visits, dance, music, cooking, crafts and ava ceremonies.

This is where a Moana-inspired trip can become much more than beautiful beaches.

Experience a Traditional Samoan Village

Rather than simply looking at Polynesian culture from the outside, visitors to Samoa can take part in experiences that introduce them to local traditions and community life. Village visits, traditional cooking, dance and craft experiences provide an opportunity to understand the culture that continues to shape life across the islands.

For families, some Samoan resorts also offer cultural activities including basket weaving, umu cooking, fiafia performances and village visits.

Food is another way into the world of Moana. In Samoa, look for experiences centred around umu, the traditional underground oven used to prepare food. Resorts and local communities offer opportunities to see how the cooking process works and enjoy traditional dishes as part of an authentic island feast. For a luxury traveller, this is an experience worth seeking out rather than simply dining exclusively within a resort.

Chase Waterfalls and Natural Swimming Holes

Moana isn't all about the sea. Samoa's interior is a spectacular contrast to its beaches, with rainforest, volcanic landscapes, waterfalls and natural swimming holes providing plenty of opportunities for adventure.

The Samoa Tourism Authority highlights experiences including Fuipisia Waterfall, inland waterholes, jungle trails, dramatic volcanic landscapes and marine activities including snorkelling, diving and surfing.

One of the country's most extraordinary natural attractions is To-Sua Ocean Trench, where visitors can descend into a striking natural swimming pool surrounded by lush vegetation.

It's the sort of place that feels almost too cinematic to be real.

Get Out on the Samoan Ocean

Samoa is also ideal for travellers inspired by Moana's relationship with the sea.

Visitors can snorkel, surf, paddle and explore the coastline, while some properties offer traditional paopao canoe experiences, fishing excursions and sunset boat trips.

The emphasis should be on experiencing the ocean rather than simply looking at it from a luxury resort — exactly the spirit that makes Moana's story so compelling.

The Luxury Way to Experience Moana's Polynesia

For luxury travellers, the best interpretation of a Moana-inspired holiday isn't necessarily finding a hotel with a giant Moana statue beside the pool. It's about slow travel, extraordinary landscapes and meaningful experiences. Spend a few nights in Tahiti before travelling to Moorea to explore its mountains and lagoon. Add Huahine for a quieter, more culturally immersive experience before flying onwards to Samoa.

In Samoa, balance a luxurious beachfront stay with a village experience, an umu feast, rainforest adventure and time on the water.

And, of course, leave plenty of time to do absolutely nothing.

After all, one of the great luxuries of the South Pacific is simply having nowhere else to be.