Question French Polynesia advice

[joalemma]

Hi there, looking for advice on itinerary in French Polynesia. We are a group of 8 that will bareboat chartering in the Society Islands for a week to ten days. It’s my understanding that there will be ample opportunity for snorkeling there, which is what we want as only my husband and I dive. That being said, I wanted to tack on a few extra days on the front end so that my husband can have the experience of divining an atoll, and was thinking of Fakarava for a day of diving plus a day to do nothing but swim in the water, relax, and then fly back either to Papeete or, if it’s the “ right day”, on to Raiatea where we pick up the boat to start our charter.

Many of our group will most likely want to “ go where you guys go” and therefor many of the group, non divers, will want to visit Fakarava. I understand accommodations as well as things to do topsides are limited and not as easily accessible as more crowded destinations but we all want to snorkel and relax. Great snorkeling would be a top priority, with access for a day of diving, preferably a couple of dives, for my husband. We do not expect to see certain seasonal events, just looking for a couple of. Ice dives for my husband and some beauty and relaxation for all.

Suggestions on which atoll and where to stay for a couple days of snorkeling and one or two people diving for one day that would like the subsequent day to snorkel, relax and then fly on to Raiatea?

Thanks in advance!

 

[VH2O]

Hi, I did stays (on land) in both North and South Fakarava, and Rangiroa last summer. I would recommend Rangiroa. The dives through the pass there were spectacular and the snorkeling around that area of the atol were great as well. The anchorage by Tipitua pass is close to many of that island's amenities if you want to go on land. The other side (east side) has an area called the blue lagoon which sounds like a great spot for your whole group based on what you wrote.
Fakarava while awesome in its own, was different diving, especially the south is very advanced.
Enjoy! I would love to bareboat charter there someday.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

On our trip to Bora 2 years ago we stayed at the Conrad Hilton and I would just walk to the dock every morning and get picked up by Top Dive. After picking me up, they would just head out to the lagoon where various boats were anchored and pick up a group of divers from a private 65ft cat. Point being that if you plan it right you can arrange for an op to pick you up right from your boat...and drop you back at the end of the day.