SeasickLikely

On 3/23/2019 at 2:34 PM, fedexretiree said:

WOW.  That sure was a beautiful video.  SO glad for your info on the excursion.  We were also thinking about doing this snorkel as well but after reading the description I think we will just stay on the beach that day.  Sounds pretty dangerous trying to dodge the incoming swells.  What other snorkel trips did you take that you could recommend as well.

 On Huahine we did the ISLAND EXPLORATION BY PIROGUE & SAFARI TRUCK. The first part is a land tour with cultural sites and pearl farm, then they take you to snorkel at Motu Murimahora. The guide gave us food to attract the fish. The water was about 8 feet deep. My 79-year-old mother used a pool noodle. Make sure to bring your snorkeling equipment from the ship (you can check it out for the whole week). Luckily the guide had some extra masks and snorkels. Huge variety of fish. No current like on Taaha.

On Taaha at the Motu Picnic, we didn't see many fish, but we saw hundreds of sea slugs. Actually, we had had our fill of snorkeling at the Coral Garden earlier in the day and were getting down to some margaritas in coconuts.

On Bora Bora, we did the Lagoon Excursion with Maohi Nui. This was really great. Two seasoned guides take you to shallow water where you can commune with the sting rays. Then we went to go to deeper water to see fish and the black tip reef sharks. I would highly recommend this excursion. Less experienced snorkelers can hang by the boat and the ama (side float).

In Moorea, we did the Underwater Walk with AquaBlue. It is not snorkeling, but is a completely different experience. You walk with weighted bell helmets on the sand bottom while the guides wrangle the fish around you with a food canister. No snorkeling experience required, but not recommended for the claustrophobic. 

Just got back from PG 7 Night Tahiti and Society Islands. We stayed at the Moorea Hilton in the premium over water bungalows pre-cruise. They have snorkeling at all depths of water and a great variety of fish and coral. The Hilton has complimentary snorkels, masks and fins. They say that they are due at 5pm each night, but my sister kept them our for our whole 2 night trip. 

Moorea - We loved Rudy's. They picked us up from the Hilton. You'll need to check from the ship if they will pick you up. We had parrot fish (their specialty), escargo, shrimp. See pictures below. 

I would skip Moorea Beach Club although they have a fantastic sunset view. Food was meh.

Bora Bora - Bloody Mary's was a complete disappointment. Hard wood seats with no backs. Fans were not doing the trick on a hot evening.  Food was just ok

With regard to the Coral Garden Drift Snorkeling on Taaha, pay attention to the disclosure for experienced snorkelers. 

Please note: This tour is only recommended for experienced snorkelers that are extremely comfortable in the water. Novice/beginner snorkelers are strongly encouraged to snorkel on the Motu. Please wear a swimsuit under a cover-up with reef shoes, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and bring snorkeling equipment and a towel from the ship.

I would offer up the additional information: In the excursion there is time for 3 runs through the coral gardens. Each run involves walking over uneven ground (coconut crab holes - like gopher holes), jagged coral for about a 1/4 of a mile each time - reef shoes are absolutely necessary. We had to wade into the current and wait in between incoming wave swells. If you missed the timing, you got bashed into the coral. The coral heads are a beautiful maze that extend from the sand floor to the the surface of the water. You follow the leader in an single line through the maze. If you don't follow the leader, you might find yourself in an area that you cant float between or over the coral. The current at the beginning of each run was strong and then eased off as you approached the lagoon. If you are a person that needs to stop and stand during the run, this excursion is not for you. The tour operator was frustrated that Paul Gauguin didn't tell us to wear long sleeved shirts and also did not disclose the walk. Luckily the tour operator had a few extra shirts for some of the folks on the excursion. Women would do well with a pair of old yoga pants as well.

The tour operator drops you off at the Motu Picnic.

This is cabin #706 on the Paul Gauguin which was set up for 3 people. When the fold out bed is extended it is very hard to get to the balcony. The bed can be folded back 1/3 during the day with the mattress. The cabin steward was willing to fold the bed back into the sofa every day, but we just folded it back a 1/3 during the day.

Have Category C Level Balcony Cabin on the Paul Gauguin with a sofa bed for my daughter. She's 5'6", anyone know what size the sofa sleeper is? Going on March 2, 2019.