French Polynesia

[sootyandsweep]

Hello, have just booked our honeymoon to French Polynesia for 9 days in July. Are keen divers and are looking to stay on a couple of islands where we can spend our days diving with sharks and manta rays. I have heard you can fly between the islands but is boat travel possible at all? Am looking for somewhere quiet, not too pricey but most of all with fabulous diving... All recommendations gratefully received... Thank you x

 

[Mike Veitch]

easy. very regular and quick ferries between Papeete, Moorea, Bora Bora and all the Society Islands and very inexpensive.

Google tahiti tourisme

 

[1fastcat]

I spent two weeks in FP this past summer - Moorea, Bora Bora and Rangiroa. Best diving by far was Rangiroa. Moorea has some good shark dives. As far as transport between the islands. Air Tahiti is the way to go, not ferry. Ferry between Papeete and Moorea is OK since they are only a few miles apart other islands are too far apart and you don't want to spend your honeymoon travelling for a day between destinations. What you want to do is check with them on a "circuit" itinerary. They offer special rates if you fly a certain order of islands.

Diving in Rangiroa was the best visibility that I have ever expereinced. It is the second largest atoll in the world. Local population less than 1000 people. Truly like falling off the face of the planet. Only real hotel is Kia Ora. Very good service and food.

I highly recommend TopDive as the dive op. They operate throughout FP and are a great group of folks.

You'll never forget the beauty of FP. It is the one plalce that I can truly say everyone should visit before the kick it.

 

[leeaf]

Fastcat is spot on, if you want superlative diving then Rangiroa is the way to go. Kia Ora is relatively expensive (but then again nothing is cheap in Tahiti) but worth splahing out for since it is your honeymoon. My wife and I did exactly that in March 2004 and didn't regret the expense. There are other accommodation options on Rangiroa. They have built another hotel since we were there which is not as expensive as Kia Ora but I do not know the name of it. There are also 'Pensions' which are meant to be quite good and are also less expensive.

Lee

 

[Mike Veitch]

Well, if you want to go to the Tuamotus then Rangiroa is ok, i personally prefer Fakarava, spend 2 or 3 days at the north pass and 2 or 3 days at the south pass.