Red Hat Cruise Cat Posted May 21, 2012 #1 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Any suggestions for snorkeling excursions in Tahiti, Bora Bora, or Moorea? We’re not strong swimmers, so we prefer to go on a smaller boat with fewer passengers, so the crew can keep an eye on us.:D:D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fletcher Posted May 21, 2012 #2 Share Posted May 21, 2012 There is no snorkelling on Tahiti. Moorea is OK by the Hilton. Bora Bora isn't great anywhere but if you simply do a shark and ray trip all you do is basically stand in three feet of water while the fish swim around you and snuggle up real close. Wherever you go in Bora Bora it can be a bit of a zoo. The last time I did it was off the Clipper Odyssey with about 30 passengers in the water at around 7am before the crowds arrived. The best snorkelling in FP is in the Tuamotus - Rangiroa, Tikehau etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlightMedic555 Posted May 21, 2012 #3 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Snorkeling at the Hilton on Moorea was spectacular. The entire lagoon at the Hilton is not more than 5 feet deep so standing is easy. You can do this yourself as you can take a Taxi to the Hilton and pay to use the facility for the day. They even include snorkel gear and lunch. On Bora bora we have used Reef Expections (Chris) twice and it was great. A small boat with 6 passengers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trend Posted May 22, 2012 #4 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Not sure how anyone can say the snorkeling in Bora Bora is not good. The water is clear and I have been the the GBR but it all depends on the tour you book. This time we are booked with Christopher's tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenandrew Posted May 22, 2012 #5 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Christoph in Bora Bora (Reef Discovery) offers a great half day of snorkeling. He is also a very conscientious guy, and works with everyone on the boat, regardless of their ability to ensure they have a great experience. On our trip, he basically pulled one person around in an inner tube contraption so she could comfortably see all of the undersea beauty. Having said, that, he made sure he gave adequate attention to everyone else on the tour. Remarkable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catsforkids Posted May 25, 2012 #6 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Snorkeling at the Hilton on Moorea was spectacular. The entire lagoon at the Hilton is not more than 5 feet deep so standing is easy. You can do this yourself as you can take a Taxi to the Hilton and pay to use the facility for the day. They even include snorkel gear and lunch. On Bora bora we have used Reef Expections (Chris) twice and it was great. A small boat with 6 passengers. We did the snorkeling with Terry (Reef Discovery) and he was wonderful too. Snorkeled at 3 different sites. No fancy lunch but a small group dedicated to snorkeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunsetme Posted May 26, 2012 #7 Share Posted May 26, 2012 snorkeling was great : moorea at the hilton very easy and clear, shallow. motus exceptionally shallow, bora bora best lagoon with reef discovery but deeper and more exhausting (better variety though rays, eels, etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillymaps Posted May 28, 2012 #8 Share Posted May 28, 2012 I just returned from a cruise, and I used: Huahine Marc's tour http://www.huahine-nautique.com/ Moorea http://www.hirotour.com/ (not as good as providers on the other islands) Raiatea L’Excursion Bleu with Bruno http://www.tahaa.net/?p=-1 Bora Bora Patrick Tairua <patrick@maohinui.net> Lagoon Excursion & 4X4 Safari http://www.maohinui.net/en/lagon-et-safari-4x4 Had a great time on all 4 excursions. Good snorkeling and good motu lunches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psyfi Posted May 29, 2012 #9 Share Posted May 29, 2012 I just returned from a cruise, and I used: Huahine Marc's tour http://www.huahine-nautique.com/ Moorea http://www.hirotour.com/ (not as good as providers on the other islands) Raiatea L’Excursion Bleu with Bruno http://www.tahaa.net/?p=-1 Bora Bora Patrick Tairua <patrick@maohinui.net> Lagoon Excursion & 4X4 Safari http://www.maohinui.net/en/lagon-et-safari-4x4 Had a great time on all 4 excursions. Good snorkeling and good motu lunches I'm booked on 3 of the 4 you did, I would be interested in your review if you have time :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seetosea Posted June 26, 2012 #10 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I just returned from a cruise, and I used: Huahine Marc's tour http://www.huahine-nautique.com/ Moorea http://www.hirotour.com/ (not as good as providers on the other islands) Raiatea L’Excursion Bleu with Bruno http://www.tahaa.net/?p=-1 Bora Bora Patrick Tairua <patrick@maohinui.net> Lagoon Excursion & 4X4 Safari http://www.maohinui.net/en/lagon-et-safari-4x4 Had a great time on all 4 excursions. Good snorkeling and good motu lunches we have done three of the four.. We did Marc's tour a few years ago and it was fabulous. This past April, we returned to French Polynesia and did Hiro's on Moorea and Patrick's 3/4 day tour on Bora Bora Patrick's tour was the HIGHLIGHT of our 18 daycruise. I can't say enough great things about it. I arranged two 12 person outriggers for 24 people with Patrick. We were taken to an area where we swam with reef tip sharks first. From there we went to another location to feed stingrays. We then headed to a beautiful snorkel location where there was an abundance of fish. At another stop, we sat in waist deep water and covered ourselves with very fine sand that acts as an exfoliate (drinks were also provided). Then it was off to a private motu where a traditional Tahitian feast was being prepared. THE FEAST: pig in the ground, lobster on the grill, tuna, poi, etc. We ate at tables in the water and the plates were banana leaves. PATRICK'S TOUR was worth every penny. If you have any questions, please ask. Hiro's tour was okay. A lot more people at each stop and snorkeling was just okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk8teacher Posted July 14, 2012 #11 Share Posted July 14, 2012 We second the tour with Patrick on Bora Bora. Absolutely the best. The water is crystal clear, and Patrick ensures you will enjoy every minute. Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloofer Posted July 15, 2012 #12 Share Posted July 15, 2012 Patrick's tour (Bora Bora) is superb. I highly recommend it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidymom Posted July 15, 2012 #13 Share Posted July 15, 2012 What happens if you don't know how to snorkel? I hear so many people say wonderful things about their snorkeling experience and I really want to experience it too. Is it hard to learn? Will the tour operator have someone to assist if you don't know how to snorkel? I really want to do the shark and ray feeding excursion. Thanks for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamburgAvonLady Posted July 15, 2012 #14 Share Posted July 15, 2012 I snorkeled for the first (and only time, so far) a couple of years ago in the Caribbean. Not being the strongest swimmer, I used an inflatible vest and fins which I rented at the site but brought my own mask and snorkel (more hygenic, IMO). Picked up a set at our local Walmart. You need to remember to breathe through your mouth (I do this anyway, most times) so that part was easy. Make sure the mask fits snugly around your eyes and nose. Start in shallow water, if possible, so you can stand, in case you get a little scared. Try to practice in a pool before you hit the islands. Either at home or in the ship's pool so you learn how to relax amd manage. You are in salt water so "floating" is much easier --- I also found that if I kept my arms at my side and just let my feet/fins propel me --- I did alot better. You will have others with you --- so you'll be fine in case you have some "anxious" moments. Our next cruise is to Hawaii and the South Pacific where I plan to get alot of practice. PLEASE give it a try ---- I was thrilled I did it (of course, DH has some hilarious videos of me putting on the fins and walking backwards into the water !!!!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psyfi Posted July 15, 2012 #15 Share Posted July 15, 2012 If you can swim, you can snorkel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlightMedic555 Posted July 16, 2012 #16 Share Posted July 16, 2012 You really don't even have to know how to swim in order to snorkel. On the boat they will give you a mask, fins, snorkel, snorkel inflatable vest and mesh bag to keep everything at no charge for the duration of the cruise. They have a snorkel "lesson" at no charge in the pool during the cruise but I am not sure how early in the cruise this happens. With the vest you simply float and look at the fish and coral. It is really pretty idiot proof as you breath through the snorkel and use your fins to "kick" to move around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psyfi Posted July 16, 2012 #17 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Flight Medic, OP is on the Sapphire Princess, so no free snorkel gear or lessons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishtown Posted July 28, 2012 #18 Share Posted July 28, 2012 I just returned from a cruise, and I used: Huahine Marc's tour http://www.huahine-nautique.com/ Moorea http://www.hirotour.com/ (not as good as providers on the other islands) Raiatea L’Excursion Bleu with Bruno http://www.tahaa.net/?p=-1 Bora Bora Patrick Tairua <patrick@maohinui.net> Lagoon Excursion & 4X4 Safari http://www.maohinui.net/en/lagon-et-safari-4x4 Had a great time on all 4 excursions. Good snorkeling and good motu lunches Thanks for the great information. Will be cruising the South Pacific in October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerena Posted July 29, 2012 #19 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Christoph in Bora Bora (Reef Discovery) offers a great half day of snorkeling. He is also a very conscientious guy, and works with everyone on the boat, regardless of their ability to ensure they have a great experience. On our trip, he basically pulled one person around in an inner tube contraption so she could comfortably see all of the undersea beauty. Having said, that, he made sure he gave adequate attention to everyone else on the tour. Remarkable. This is my vote for the day. He was amazing. I could have well been the person he pulled around, but I don't think so!!! He was awesome and took care of all of us regardless of our ability. He even took my camera underwater and took a pix. Wish I had had him do it sooner---as I had it on the wrong setting--and he fixed it and got wonderful pix after that! We did not snorkel on Moorea or Tahiti. We did do the Helmut Dive in Bora Bora in the afternoon --after Christoph's tour. It was anticlimatic after Christoph's. But since we had OBC, it was fine!!!! Enjoy--my DH and I are not strong swimmers at all and I won't go anywhere with out a vest, or the like--but with the vest, you don't need to be a swimmer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mancora Girl Posted August 27, 2012 #20 Share Posted August 27, 2012 If you are inexperienced and want a small-group tour, Christophe's is the one for you. No meals, just spectacular snorkeling at four sites, one of which had huge, beautiful manta rays, which I had not seen before in four trips to FP. As others have said, both long-time snorkelers and true beginners end up equally happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scperk Posted November 12, 2012 #21 Share Posted November 12, 2012 we have done three of the four.. We did Marc's tour a few years ago and it was fabulous. This past April, we returned to French Polynesia and did Hiro's on Moorea and Patrick's 3/4 day tour on Bora Bora Patrick's tour was the HIGHLIGHT of our 18 daycruise. I can't say enough great things about it. I arranged two 12 person outriggers for 24 people with Patrick. We were taken to an area where we swam with reef tip sharks first. From there we went to another location to feed stingrays. We then headed to a beautiful snorkel location where there was an abundance of fish. At another stop, we sat in waist deep water and covered ourselves with very fine sand that acts as an exfoliate (drinks were also provided). Then it was off to a private motu where a tradition Tahitian feast was being prepared. THE FEAST: pig in the ground, lobster on the grill, tuna, poi, etc. We ate at tables in the water and the plates were banana leaves. PATRICK'S TOUR was worth every penny. If you have any questions, please ask. Hiro's tour was okay. A lot more people at each stop and snorkeling was just okay. We are just off the Carnival Spirit repo to Australia and did Patrick's tour in Bora Bora also...I've been on 42 cruises and this was the best excursion I have ever done..We had 48 CC people in 4 canoes and we had an absolute great time and the feast was magnificent...Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psyfi Posted November 24, 2012 #22 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Thanks for sharing! We are excited! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beg3yrs Posted November 28, 2012 #23 Share Posted November 28, 2012 If you want to go snorkeling on your own, take a look at this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1697667 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassamanda Posted November 30, 2012 #24 Share Posted November 30, 2012 This past April, we returned to French Polynesia and did Hiro's on Moorea and Patrick's 3/4 day tour on Bora Bora Patrick's tour was the HIGHLIGHT of our 18 daycruise.... THE FEAST: pig in the ground, lobster on the grill, tuna, poi, etc. We ate at tables in the water and the plates were banana leaves. PATRICK'S TOUR was worth every penny. If you have any questions, please ask. Hi, I will be organising our roll call excursion with Patrick for our visit in April 2013. I have booked the 3/4 day for 1 canoe so far. Have also been looking at the full day combo tour (inc 4x4 safari) but it is quite a lot more expensive. Our Ship arrives 7am and departs 4pm. To do the full day, Patrick says that we would leave at 8am and return by 3pm. The 3/4 day is 9.30am to 2.30pm. The general consensus is that 3/4 day would be better time wise. What are your thoughts on this. How soon were you able to get a non ship's tour tender? How long is the Tender trip and how long before sailing was the last tender? Thanks in advance. Hugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRauppius Posted January 7, 2013 #25 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Snorkeling at the Hilton on Moorea was spectacular. The entire lagoon at the Hilton is not more than 5 feet deep so standing is easy. You can do this yourself as you can take a Taxi to the Hilton and pay to use the facility for the day. They even include snorkel gear and lunch.quote] We did the cruise last January and stayed at the Hilton in Moorea for the pre-cruise package and the facilities, and especially the snorkeling, were to be the best we encountered over the entire cruise/vacation. The Hilton lagoon is shallow and densely populated with LIVE, THRIVING, coral and many colorful varieties of fish. The water is calm and perfectly clear. And so I concur that the short taxi over to the Hilton is a great way to both snorkel and swim while in the Tahitian islands..... enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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