I have read through a few threads about diving in Rangiroa and Fakarava and I have some travel logistic questions. Based on reading threads here and chatting with a friend, I think we'd like to dive in Rangiroa, both north and south Fakarava, and snorkel with whales. This seems like a 7-10 day trip to me and one we would want to do this fall or fall 2025 since that's when the whale migrate. Does this seem right?
-What are some good ways to book flights to get from the western U.S. to either Rangiroa or Fakarava and then travel between islands? When I use the Air Tahiti Nui site and try to create an multi-city itinerary, I cannot get flights to pull up between Rangiroa and Fakarava. I am happy to book flights a la carte, but perhaps there are better/easier ways to do this.
-How do people travel between north Fakarava and south Fakarava? Do the airport transfers provided by many of the guest houses extend to moving around the atoll or do I completely misunderstand the layout of the atoll?
-Since we will need to stay overnight in Papeete in each direction, does it make sense to try the whale encounter while there? From what I can gather, the whales migrate through the Papeete and Moorea-Maiao area. For example, Top Dive mentions whale encounters on their site, but it seems like it is out of Papeete.
-For comparison, flights between Grand Cayman and Little Cayman are in a small prop plane that is not pressurized, making it safe to fly after diving. IIRC, the windows in the cockpit were open during flight. What are the flights like between Papeete, Fakarava, and Rangiroa?
I appreciate any input and/or wisdom. Thanks.
-What are some good ways to book flights to get from the western U.S. to either Rangiroa or Fakarava and then travel between islands? When I use the Air Tahiti Nui site and try to create an multi-city itinerary, I cannot get flights to pull up between Rangiroa and Fakarava. I am happy to book flights a la carte, but perhaps there are better/easier ways to do this.
-How do people travel between north Fakarava and south Fakarava? Do the airport transfers provided by many of the guest houses extend to moving around the atoll or do I completely misunderstand the layout of the atoll?
-Since we will need to stay overnight in Papeete in each direction, does it make sense to try the whale encounter while there? From what I can gather, the whales migrate through the Papeete and Moorea-Maiao area. For example, Top Dive mentions whale encounters on their site, but it seems like it is out of Papeete.
-For comparison, flights between Grand Cayman and Little Cayman are in a small prop plane that is not pressurized, making it safe to fly after diving. IIRC, the windows in the cockpit were open during flight. What are the flights like between Papeete, Fakarava, and Rangiroa?
I appreciate any input and/or wisdom. Thanks.