Moorea Temae Airport (MOZ/NTTM) is a small airfield on the island of Moorea, about 10-15 minutes flight from the main isle of Tahiti. It serves as gateway (mostly for tourists) to the island of Moorea, connecting it with the main island Tahiti or other French Polynesian islands like Bora Bora. The airfield was opened in 1967 and extended from time to time allowing now also ATR72s to land. It handles about 290.000 passenger a year. It is served by the local airlines: Air Tahiti, Air Moana and NewCaledonian with their ATR42/72s.

Written by A. Hackenberger. Last Update: Summer 2025

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
12/30	1237m/4058ft
Terminals	There is one terminal handling all flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Normally you can shoot over the fence easily or use the dirt mounds along the fence at spot 1+2.
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely a good idea as it is hot outside. But you can also try a bike or motorbike.
Drinks/Food	There are plenty “restaurants” along the beaches and streets here.
Hotels	There are plenty hotels along the beaches and streets here.
Season	Around June has the nicest and smoothest light; in December traffic may be a bit more, but the light is harsh from above.
Security	Spotting is no issue here.
Runway Usage
General Info	They use 12/30 in the direction of their favour as long as the wind allows it.

	Spot #1 – Northern Turnpad – 12/30 Movements
WHERE	North of the airport you will find a bumpy dirt road leading all the way down the airport fence. From along here you can nicely shoot onto the runway. Just make your way here by car/bike/foot (depending on where you stay on the island) and just search for your favourite location along the fence at the northern turning pad.
WHAT	You can see all movements on runway 12/30 from here. Best for 12 backtracks/departures.
TIME	Best around June as the spot is then useable from sunrise till later noon. Worst around December when the sun passes steeply above the airfield only allowing nice shots in the early morning hours.
MISC.	There are plenty hotels along the street where you may find food/drinks/restrooms. Haze can be an issue the later it gets. The fence is quite low at most points allowing shots without a ladder for a ~1,80m person thru the wire; plus there are small mounds at some points making spotting even easier.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm ATR72 = 150mm

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	Spot #2 – Southern Turnpad – 12/30 Movements
WHERE	Now this position is located just down the road along the fence roughly at the southern turning somewhere: here you can find some mounds offering a nicely elevated view.
WHAT	You can see all movements on runway 12/30 from here. Best for 30 arrvials or backtracks/departures.
TIME	Best around June as the spot is then useable from sunrise till later noon. Worst around December when the sun passes steeply above the airfield only allowing nice shots in the early morning hours.
MISC.	There are plenty hotels along the street where you may find food/drinks/restrooms. Haze can be an issue the later it gets. The fence is quite low at most points allowing shots without a ladder for a ~1,80m person thru the wire; plus there are small mounds at some points making spotting even easier.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm ATR72 = 60mm

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	Spot #3 – Terminal – 12/30 Movements + Apron
WHERE	This spot is located inside the airport terminal after “check in/security” along the terminal’s front facing the apron/runway which is just a small fence; no windows as of 2025.
WHAT	You can see the runway with all movements plus the ramp in front.
TIME	Best around June as the spot is then useable from later noon till sunset. Worst around December when the sun passes steeply above the airfield only allowing nice shots in the late evening hours.
MISC.	All you need is inside the terminal. Haze can be an issue. Boarding pass is needed to reach the spot.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-200mm ATR72 face to face = 50mm / ATR72 on runway = 120mm

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