AquaAgua

We will be on the 10 day Society & Tuamotus cruise in March. We have our days pretty much planned for the Society islands but are looking for suggestions during our stops in Fakarava and Rangiroa. We are in our 60s and not experienced snorkelers nor strong swimmers, but we realize the lagoons are the highlights of those stops. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I stayed several times at the IC. Food was always good. Pool bar was open to swim up to, don't recall bar 'service' on the beach or at tables around the pool but the bar pool bar was open. There are 2 pools. Remember you can always bring a 'beach' towel from the PG as well as one from the IC. There is over 1500 lineal feet of sandy beach are on the property. Around the lagoon area there are shade covers, hammocks and shade trees with hardly a person in site. Then you have the turtle sanctuary and the Dolphin Quest area. I would agree the 'main' beach area can get a bit busy with people as well as the activity from the marina ...... but fortunately this property has many other places to relax, you just need to find your 'perfect' area.

 

Won't down play another persons take, it is their story. Just saying from staying at this property many times (probably well over 10 days total) and visiting it every time we are on Moorea (over a dozen times) we've learned where to go around this property and what is the 'norm',

 

We've also stayed at the Hilton, one time for 7 days straight plus we visit every time we are on Moorea. Nice property, but the amenities are not close to what the IC offers. The beach though nice is small. The single pool is nice but not as nice as either pool at the IC. What the Hilton does have is the best snorkeling among the big 4 beach front resorts.

 

I've also stayed at the Sofitel, in fact we spent our honeymoon at the Sofitel. Expensive property with a very nice beach with shade that is close to the water. The pool is very small compared to the IC pool area. The garden area is nice and the food was fine. The view of Tahiti across the Sea of the Moon is beautiful. Has the 2nd best snorkeling of the big 4 beach front resorts.

 

I've said this about these 3 resorts consistently over the last 10 years. You will find my take on the big 4 many times in the history of this forum, always say the same thing and I verify it by visiting each resort usually every year.

 

Sorry if someone else didn't see what is the 'norm' ...

Great reviews, thank you very much!

I have no problem using the public bus. All you need to remember is the buses set their schedule based on when the ferries come and go. The info below is based on the ship mooring in Cook's Bay.

 

If your on the mountain side of the road the bus that will take you to the Temae beach will come by 45 minutes prior to a ferry heading to Tahiti. Wave at the buss as it approaches. Tell the driver you want off at the entrance to the beach.

 

When you want to head back to the ship just be at the entrance road going Temae beach and wave at the bus as it comes by. Figure 15 minutes after a ferry arrives. About $2 bucks USD per person each way. Great way to interact with local Polynesians. We've done it on Moorea and Tahiti.

 

http://www.terevau.pf/schedules/

 

http://www.aremiti.net/schedule

Thanks, great advice and sounds like a hoot!

are there restrooms on both excursions ?

Definitely at Motu Mahana on Tahaa, but the Bora Bora motu is pretty much unserviced, according to the PG website.

When the PG called for us last month they were told 139$.....maybe I heard wrong. Hilton was $90.00

 

We planned to go to the Hilton but the taxi driver told us she could drop us off at Temae beach since all we wanted was two hours in the water. We did this both days. Just paid 60$ for the round trip transfer. I intend doing this again. P

Can you rent chairs and umbrellas at Temae Beach?

Have you done an internet search?

 

"Alberts" "Moorea" "rental"

Google is your best friend!

Is this the only place? We need to pick up at the pier and return at the airport in Tahiti...how about Raratonga and Moorea?

Not sure. We have a car booked though Europcar in Moorea and it will be a standard.

I am having a problem reserving automatic rental cars for these islands through AVIS...They are all manual! We do not know how to drive manual cars....Does anyone know if they have automatic cars and how to go about reserving them!!! Moorea and Raratonga and Tahiti

Hertz at the airport in Tahiti has cars with automatic transmissions.

I'm not sure if this helps, but I am flying home on the 11:59pm flight (the later of the 2 redeye ATN flights). When I checked the ATN website, the plane that flies LAX to CDG is flight number TN8. TN8 is also the flight number for the earlier of the two ATN flights from PPT to LAX, so I assumed that the earlier plane leaving PPT is the one that continues on to Paris (since they have the same flight numbers).

 

I understand that the airport will be a complete madhouse by the time we get there, and it will likely be a miserable last few hours in Tahiti, but from the reviews I have read here on CC, that is a better alternative than being on the same plane as all the French people! hehe

Something wrong with French people?

Thanks for all your posts!

Looking out of the balcony. Great weather and calm seas. So sad our marina dinner could not take place this cruise. There is a chance we could have it in Moorea. Would have been a nice anniversary celebration.

Our PG cruise in March will be our first. Curious about the marina dinner, is this set up for only a single group or is it an open affair available by reservation? I assume there is an additional cost?

Thanks! I meant should we be there at 3 for boarding or is it OK to show up an hour or 2 later?

My wife and I will be enjoying our first visit to French Polynesia and also our first ever cruise in March 2017. We will be on the 10 day cruise which includes Fakarava and Rangiroa in addition to the FP islands. We are in our 60s and are experienced travelers but first time cruisers. We will be spending a couple days prior to the cruise at the IC Tahiti.

Just curious what activities people consider as must-do's on this itinerary. We have rented a car for 1 day on Moorea. We plan to take advantage of the included motu days on Tahaa and Bora Bora. We are not divers but would consider snorkeling although we are not strong swimmers. Also would be up for the kayaks on the lagoon. So please share what you consider the best activities on this cruise!

Other questions:

- as first time cruisers, do we need to be prepared for seasickness or are these waters generally calm? What do people recommend as remedial drugs or other strategies to combat this?

- how dressed up are the evenings?

- if boarding starts at 3 pm, is it a good idea to arrive at the dock for an early boarding?

- is the marina at the back of the boat a good place for trying kayaking?

- which islands should be seen from the land side and which are best enjoyed from the lagoon?

Sorry for so many questions. We would appreciate any comments for first time cruisers and first time visitors to FP!

Thanks!

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