Petoonya

For most stores yes. Taxis and smaller operations no.

I’m in Tahiti now on an 18 day Wind Spirit. Have done Bruno’s L Excursion Bleue in the past and it was great. Snorkeling, pearl and vanilla farms (personally I feel wasted time though) Coral Gardens and great lunch. He has his sons mostly operate the tours currently. Sometimes his response to inquiries is slow so be persistent.

We were supposed to be doing Ato's famous tour in Fakarava with a group of 8 on 13 Aug. But one in our group found Tripadvisor reviews from less than 2 weeks ago. Ato had no showed. He apparently went to Paris and either forgot about or avoided this group he had booked. Fakarava is not the kind of place you want to be stood up as there aren't last minute alternatives. I feel badly as income is hard to come by in far flung atolls like this. But since you don't visit it but maybe a time of two in a lifetime you want to be sure someone is waiting on the pier for you. We booked the Blue Lagoon with Windstar. We'll see how the time goes.....maybe still have time to attempt a short visit to Havaiki Lodge.

Curiousier and curiousier. Was quoted a rate just yesterday for our cruise beginning next week. As usual in Tahiti it's when you ask, who you ask, and whatever which way the wind blows!

Ia orana Dandee.......how wonderful! We're going to be just a month too late. Leaving next week. Hope that you post some pictures somewhere on CC and leave a link. Mauruuru.

The Greek Isles or Tahiti on a sailing ship with outstanding service and dining. What's not to like?

Salmn, I remember your review of Marc's Nautique and what especially stood out was that you nearly missed the last tender. That did it for me! Besides which the description always sounded a little hokey. Was really glad to get your feedback. And as you say the 18 day was loooooong the last time, and with all the snorkeling we'll be doing having a day or two to enjoy the ship and do some tubing sounds wonderful. Avalong, Thanks for your words about the WS picnic- sounds like a reasonable alternative to other activities and a lot of fun. I was mainly concerned that it sounded too much like the barbecue day on Motu Mahaea which was never one of our favorite days. But this sounds like, especially since the snorkeling is decent unlike Motu Mahaea, it might be right up our alley. Thanks to both of you for the input. Nancy

One last thng. There are many tour providers who do circle island tours from Papeete. We like Yota Tahiti. You can reach these places by looking up on Tripadvisor.

I'm a snorkeler so my suggestions are going to be limited to that unfortunately. In Papeete you can take a taxi to marina Taina (8 min away) and do Tahiti Lagoon Paradise tours. You can choose a variety of locations to snorkel with the captain (it's private just you two or two others as well),but we always do the shipwrecks and turtles. There's poor snorkeling on the big island of Tahiti, but the captain has his secret places that are amazing. In Moorea there's Moorea Moana tours- whales in season June-October, wonderful snorkeling. Mermaid Moorea if you want a private day snorkeling. Then there's Moorea Voile for 1/2 or full day on the catamaran Taboo. Jet-ski, Moorea Activities Center. For a luxurious treat at a reasonable price, do a day stay at the Hilton Moorea. Lovely place, fantastic lunch, some of the best snorkeling on Moorea. Last time for us it was $90/pp. All of these places will pick you up at the pier except for Hilton Moorea- taxi only about $20 and 10-15 min away depending on what your pier is.

Doing the 18 day on Wind Spirit in 2 weeks and have independent snorkel tours booked on every non-sea day. But nothing booked on either of two days in Huahine. Have done a lot of the snorkel tours in Huahine and thought we might use those two days to enjoy the ship and sports deck. But I always hate to miss opportunities, and should partake in. Last cruise a lady raved about the snorkeling excursion on Huahine. I've also heard that the Huahine motu picnic is fun from some, and sort of blah from others. I'm not a big fan of the motu picnic on Motu Mahaea and since we're doing that twice on this cruise maybe that's enough motu picnicking. Anyone experience these two excursions?

@Hflors I hate to use up so much space but this is important. 😃 Not just you but so many others looking for Matira beach visit. This is from someone who visited last fall/winter and it's fantastic! We leave for an 18 day cruise on Windstar in 10 days and have a total of 4 days in BB- so going to do it. Have been to Matira beach several times via catamaran for just short periods never all day. This looks perfect! > Just off the WS Breeze, we spent our first day in Bora making our own independent plans We easily found a taxi in port, Duaro from Bora (lol) for $20 USD (or 2000 FPC), took the 10 min ride to Matira Beach, using a towel from the ship, we walked the sandy beach, swam in the ocean, interacted with locals and doggies Then we walked 10 min for a private guided paddle boarding, we booked independently, right by the IC Moana, I can't remember the co, but it's self owned and the guide, Evan, is terrific, it was also 'inexpensive' at 8,000 FFC each Then we walked 10 min back to the beach and had a scrumptious local Tahitian Tuna sampler at the Beach Club which we would highly recommend, not to mention the post meal Creme Brûlée and or Eclair was to die for, so yes the food on WS Breeze was way way above average, and free/included, but unlike PG it's in short supply of authentic local Tahitian food, so this was one of the best lunches, and an authentic one to boot, on our vacation, I mean the poisson cru, sashimi, etc was incredible, not to mention the patio view... Then back to the beach, where there was a shop you could easily rent kayaks, water scooters, jet ski's, or paddle boards, but we just hung out, on our ship towels, our mindset was it was a day of leisure, we diverted the money we would spend go a ship excursion to a local lunch, and private paddle board, and more lounged, while time stopped so to speak There were a handful of fellow independent cruisers from WS there too but I would think most WS pax were likely on ship excursions which did not include stops at Matira though a drive by Trolley with about 20-30 WS folks did stop for about 10 minutes We called Dauro from Bora by cell to pick us up, same fare, back to the port Great day, and on day 2 we went back to the cruise excursions and did a fab afternoon jet ski around Bora with Moana Adventures, (we could have booked direct but got lazy) and that was a major excursion hilight of our cruise, but we loved the Matira beach day/paddke board on our own just as much, the mix of both worked, and we felt like gypsy beach bums away from other cruiser

I don't know about the stop at Bloody Mary's. I'm going to taxi to Matira Beach hang out, and do taxi on the way back. I may be entirely wrong but you may want to consider taxi to BM's, then taxi to Matira and return taxi. I leave in 12 days for 21 days in Tahiti- whoppeee! I'll write lots on my return. :-)

What islands are you going to?

I'll be in Fakarava 8/13 on Wind Spirit. Emailed Havaiki Lodge today and heard back immediately. Said they don't offer day stays. But if you want to have lunch they'll let you have a table with feet in the water. They didn't say anything about a table if you order a cocktail....😇 But not allowed use of lounge chairs or pool. They also said that the bus is how to find your way there. We're doing an Ato day again, but was curious about this beautiful looking place.

@CruisingGrandmaW Hi! Have read your posts and we have traveled some of the same paths! It's rare to find someone who knows Seal Rock, although anyone who's traveled up Pacific Coast Hwy through Oregon speeds right past our driveway. It's lovely- we bought an acre in 1987 right on the beach back when oceanfront was affordable (we're sSoCal people) and built our home in 1998 when last son left for UCLA. It's a paradise. I'm in agreement about the big ships but if I couldn't do Wind Spirit because of finances I'd be hard pressed not to sign on to one of the larger ones- just to be able to experience at some level. Interesting about Wind Song! We did a double 7 day in 1991 and it was heartbreaking when she caught fire and was finally sunk. Traveling on the ferry between Papeete and Moorea I always send her my pieces of my heart down below. But agree! Huge sentiments for and with FP and would love to protect. We are booked in 37 more days for an 18 day on Wind Spirit. It was the last cruise we took before COVID and now the first after. Very best to you!

Anyone back recently or hear word on Spirit or any other ships lately? Cruising Spirit (hopefully) August 4.

@TakingFlight Your description of the GP was wonderful reading. Sounds like the seats/day could not have been better despite the sprinkles. What a thrill.

You have to forget all that stuff when you cruise and before. My kids can worry about me and I won't fret, as I'll be in Never Neverland in August. If I can stay off Amazon maybe won't hear from the collection agencies in the meantime!

Doing what Diebroke suggested. Do a home test before getting on any flight same day we begin travel from Portland. If by some chance positive, I'd call my insurance company and cancel the cruise. Cruise departs August 4 and we'll be flying LAX-PPT August 2 in the evening. Getting antigen done by OnPoint testing in the backyard of the Sonesta LAX hotel at 1:30pm August 2. ($69).Timing will hopefully perfect as hoping to board Wind Spirit between 12 and 1pm on August 4. If anyone see flaws in this logic please let me know....and thanks. And Diebroke.....I love your name!

I agree with Mercruiser. Tahiti is a big island but there are almost no decent snorkeling spots. However one of the best times we've ever had in many trips to Tahiti was 8 miles from Papeete with Captain Benoit......https://www.whale-dolphin-turtle.com/ Just superb! Moorea is an excellent choice as it is so easy to access by ferry- and tons of snorkeling outfitters and back country exploration. Tahaa is also about as incredible as Bora Bora, but airfare to either is awfully steep. Take a look at this resort on Tahaa. https://www.letahaa.com/

I thought the deals were kinda nice depending on interest. Have to exclude Copenhagen-Amsterdam though!! I like longer cruises but the Rome-Rome 10 day looks pretty good $3199. Not great but can see booking that.

Don't be hasty in purchasing flights to PPT. I got caught up in the excitement and push of purchasing tickets early- like bought last November for an August cruise. Now paid about $400 per ticket more than if I did now. Portland-LAX- Papeete. Same itinerary with United through SFO is much more reasonable now than it was back in November. Consolation.... I hate United! But last few trips are earning good vibes. I realize it's a game and really it's always "who knows"? I just came back from a Europe trip and was grateful I bought tickets 6 months prior. So you never know.

I've read your rave reviews about Heiva for a few years and once again I'm missing it by only 8 days! Thank you for reminding others of it. Know it's a once in a lifetime experience.

Oh! Not to be forgotten- banana bread french toast for when I want to see the fat globules burst from the syringe next time I have my blood drawn.

My husband would say steak or beef in any form. I say Pasta Bolognese, goat cheese souffle, seafood jambalaya, mushroom pastry appetizer, chocolate mousse (just ever so slightly better than O's profiteroles.) I'm sure others can chime in with their favorites. It's a cumulative thing tho. My husband and I asked ourselves mid-cruise last WS which was superior and felt it was a dead heat. By the end of the cruise we both felt WS edged O out.