Papeete, Moorea and Raiatea advice

[IngFam]

Hi everyone, we are cruising Ovation in October and would love some recommendations please.  We've been to Papeete and Moorea on a cruise before and in Papeete the first time we drove around the island, 2nd time we caught the ferry to Moorea.  This time we'd like to explore Papeete more and after some  recommendations. There's 9 of us (4 x 50+ and 5 are in their 20's so looking for something that would suit a wide age range)

Moorea we're thinking of snorkeling and was looking at Miti Tours - has anyone used them before?  Any other recommendations?

Raiatea we're looking at doing Bruno's tour (www.tahaa.net).  Has anyone had success in doing the full day but cutting out the pearl and vanilla stops? 

 

Thank you in advance 🙂

[Coolcruise02]

Not much help right now, but we will be there in a couple weeks. I'll report back on our experience.

[trishs]

I know this was a year ago. But any suggestions would be helpful. Our first time on Ovation and in Oct stopping Papeete on Saturday. Moorea on Sunday (renting a car and going to look for nice beach and snorkeling) Tried to schedule a dive but they go out before we Tender   Monday in  Raiatea would love to dive if it's worth it. Or we can rent a car and scooter etc.  Any beach ideas. 

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

Huge ship  .... infrastructure is limited on Moorea and Raiatea. Best to grab what you can as many people on-board will be disappointed as there is only so many opportunities with the limited infrastructure  ...

 

Moorea will likely be the next island in FP to limit ship size ... enjoy it the best you can before large ships are a thing of the past in FP waters. 

 

Not making a judgement if that is right or wrong  ... it is just the reality of what is likely in the near future in FP 😉

 

No beach close by the ships in PPT or Raiatea for snorkeling ... Moorea has 3 public beaches with some snorkeling but none are close to the ship area in either bay. Because of the size of your ship your likely anchoring in Opunohu Bay. There will be some taxis but with that size ship they will go fast and most will be grabbed for hours of private touring.

Edited June 8 by Tahitianbigkahuna

[mcmarya]

The Ovation isn't really "huge," more like large for French Polynesia with 600 passengers.

Edited June 8 by mcmarya

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

AHHHHH  ..... is OP talking about the the Seaborne ship or the' ovation of the seas'

 

I was answering trishs

 

'HUGE' difference. 

 

In either case this part is still correct, "No beach close by the ships in PPT or Raiatea for snorkeling ... Moorea has 3 public beaches with some snorkeling but none are close to the ship area in either bay."

Edited June 8 by Tahitianbigkahuna

[trishs]

5 hours ago, Tahitianbigkahuna said:

Huge ship  .... infrastructure is limited on Moorea and Raiatea. Best to grab what you can as many people on-board will be disappointed as there is only so many opportunities with the limited infrastructure  ...

 

Moorea will likely be the next island in FP to limit ship size ... enjoy it the best you can before large ships are a thing of the past in FP waters. 

 

Not making a judgement if that is right or wrong  ... it is just the reality of what is likely in the near future in FP 😉

 

No beach close by the ships in PPT or Raiatea for snorkeling ... Moorea has 3 public beaches with some snorkeling but none are close to the ship area in either bay. Because of the size of your ship your likely anchoring in Opunohu Bay. There will be some taxis but with that size ship they will go fast and most will be grabbed for hours of private touring.

Thanks We are on the Ovation. I just din't know where to ask the question.  We have booked a car in Moorea so we will try to Hit Tamae Public beach and then work our way over to coco beach via kayak.  Tried to get a dive in but they all dive earlier than our arrival.   

 

In Papette we are thinking of heading to Vaiava Beach (PK18) looking to maybe take the bus if they run on Saturday.  Do some snorkeling.  

 

Raiatea looking to find nice beach or diving or snorkeling.  

Thanks so much for your response

 

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

2 minutes ago, trishs said:

Thanks We are on the Ovation. I just din't know where to ask the question.  We have booked a car in Moorea so we will try to Hit Tamae Public beach and then work our way over to coco beach via kayak.  Tried to get a dive in but they all dive earlier than our arrival.   

 

In Papette we are thinking of heading to Vaiava Beach (PK18) looking to maybe take the bus if they run on Saturday.  Do some snorkeling.  

 

Raiatea looking to find nice beach or diving or snorkeling.  

Thanks so much for your response

 

Which Ovation?

[trishs]

We will be on the Ovation of the Seas with RCL.  

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

So you will likely be in Opunohu Bay

 

Avis (30 minutes) and Alberts (25 minutes) are a long shuttle ride there and back. There are a few local rental car places but they are not a major company and most are more expensive simply because they will deliver to the tender drop off  ....

[trishs]

Thanks Wow those are long shuttle rides.  We booked with Coco Rider, they are going to deliver In Moorea  where the tender drops us,  I was thinking the same, "likely be in Opunohu Bay"  

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

Opunohu Bay is deeper and the reef opening depth is deeper ... best for big ships.

[mcmarya]

Oh my, I thought she was talking about Seabourn Ovation.  Ovation of the Seas has a capacity over 4,000.

[karog54]

PAPEETE

I'm on Edge and arriving on Oct 9th and looking at a 1/2 day tour.  What are your thoughts on East side vs West side tour??   The "both" side tour is already sold out... Thanks in advance for any assistance

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

2 minutes ago, karog54 said:

PAPEETE

I'm on Edge and arriving on Oct 9th and looking at a 1/2 day tour.  What are your thoughts on East side vs West side tour??   The "both" side tour is already sold out... Thanks in advance for any assistance

North / west side

[karog54]

Papeete

Does anyone know if it is normal to "rent" a cab at the cruise port to take you on a personal tour or is it best to stick with the tour companies ???