Tahiti Itinerary

[Seth London]

For our honeymoon, my fiancé and I are planning a trip to the Tahitian Islands. Though we are looking forward to the romance of Tahiti, diving is one of our main interests.

Another desirable aspect is the option of an overwater bungalow, although we’re open to saving money by staying in a room on the beach. We especially do not want to stay in a “shallow” overwater that is just over sand without any sea life.

We’ve found a package that appeals to us through Islands In The Sun and are looking for any feedback from those who have experienced the particular hotels we’re considering.

One of the the less expensive packages (a savings of $1000) includes 6 days on Moorea in either Club Bali Hai (Bay View Room) or Hotel Les Tipaniers (Superior Bungalow). Then 6 days on Bora Bora in either Le Maitai Polynesia (Oceanview Room) or Bora Bora Eden Beach (Ocean Bungalow).

The second package has us on Moorea at the Moorea Pearl Resort (Garden Room) for the first 6 days. Then to Bora Bora in either the Sofitel Marara (Garden Bungalow), Le Maitai Polynesia (Beach Bungalow), or the Top Dive Resort (Overwater Bungalow).

Also, what are the restrictions of snorkeling or diving from shore? Are there any places/beaches on Moorea or Bora Bora that do not allow you to snorkel? Futhermore, what are some recommended must see spots?

 

[Bacchus]

Hi Seth, congrats on getting married! French Polynesia is certainly a great place to honeymoon! There are a lot of posts dealing with your questions over the past couple of months.
I have posted trip reports from Moorea, Bora Bora, Manihi and Rangiroa. Look for posts from Finesse and Scuba Jim too!

Although I didn't stay at the Pearl in Moorea, I did dive with Moorea Blue, located there. Rafael is great! I did stay at Pearl Resorts in Manihi and Bora Bora and they are very well run, and a pleasure to stay at.

I seem to remember horror stories from Scuba Jim about the Eden Beach Resort. YOu might want to look for his posts. Just run a search for Tahiti. Most of the posts were in Oct/Nov of last year. Mine were from mid to late december.

Got to go for now....feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Steve

 

[Finesse]

I'll echo what Bacchus had to offer...... Its an amazing place to go to........

I'll let Scuba Jim give you his thoughts on EDEN BEACH I can still see his face when he described that place

These are just my thoughts ....but ..... I really felt the Overwaters were Overrated ...... YES you do need to experience them and I would definitely stay in one at some point..... but the novelty wears off fast ....especially when your paying that much for a room for one night ..... My wife and I honestly liked the beach bungalows better....

Sofitel Marara is very nice ..... every night we went to dinner on the main Island we went through this resort (we stayed at the Sofitel Motu, the sister resort across the lagoon) .... Again Marara looked real nice. Top dive I cant say....Some people thought it was good other didn't ...really heard mixed reviews about them

Snorkeling from your bungalow can be disappointing however...many have nothing but sand .. We were lucky and had a few coral heads in front of our bungalow that did hold some small reef fish and nice clams......All the resorts run snorkeling trips to this area .... as it is suppose to have some of the best snorkeling on the Island....Then on the other side of the Island there is a site for snorkeling with spotted eagle rays ...I think around Motu Toopua

The attached picture is from our deck at the Sofitel Motu.....The dark spots in the water are coral heads....as you can see there are not that many of them.....but we were told by several people that snorkeling around the motu was some of the best on the Island....on the other side of the Motu

All three of us dived with Blue Nui .... We had alot of fun

Questions....Feel free to ask away .....I'm sure Scuba Jim will add to this ......

 

[Finesse]

Le Maitai Polynesia ..... as seen from the Motu

 

[Scuba Jim]

I just LOVE the Eden Beach!!! :bonk:

Seth, dig out my Tahiti trip report on this forum. Type: "Tahiti Trip - The Final Episode" into the search engine up top and it will come up with the goods.

Read it and you will see whay you want to avoid the Eden Beach at all costs!

I thought you might like my input on the Moorea Pearl Beach. I have been there and found that though the rooms are all of a superb standard, as are all Pearl Beach Resorts, I thought that it was all too crammed together. It only opened last year and still had an unfinished feel to it. I also saw the Sofitel on Moorea and did not think much of it either. It looked rather tired and in need of a facelift.

Les Tipaniers is excellent value for money but does not have the luxuries of the Pearl or the Sofitel. It has no overwater bungalows. If you wanted to go to Moorea then it would be a nice option.

I never went to the Sofitel in Bora Bora but certianly Scott & roobin enjoyed it. After our first night at the Eden Beach we went to the Pearl resort and had a beach suite, which was awesome.

I also looked around the Mai Tai. The problem I had with it is that the resort is split in two by the main road. Cheap & cheerful rooms, restaurant & reception on one side and bach & o/w bungaows on t'other. beach bungalows back onto the road. It is noisy.

Tiop dive is the same. it is crammed into a tiny space, and while the o/w bungalows are spacious there is no beach and they are bang next to the pool the dive shop, the restaurant, Santa's grotto and your future mother-in-law! (ie everything!)

If you are going to Bora Bora you are best off being on one of the motus (low coral islands) offshore or at one of the resorts that is not bang up against the road. The Sofitel seemed set back from them road and a little quiter, probably (confirmation, please Scott!)

One thing you also need to take into consideration is that you are only being offered resorts on the high islands, and not out at thr atolls of the Tuamotus. I am sure Scott & Steve will confirm that places like Manihi and Rangiroa are magical and offer a completely different kind of atmosphere, both above & below water.

If you were to do a 2-centred holiday I would suggest splitting it between a high island and an atoll, and if you have time (2 weeks) I would suggest a 3-centre holiday. I feel that 5 or 6 nights in any one place is more than enough, and each island has something different to see...

Look at my trip report (parts 2 & 3 are of use to you also!) and also look at my web site by clicking here and following the links to Tahiti. Sorry that there are not many images yet, I have not had time to upload them. However the text about the hotels is of use to you, to make a comparison....

As for overwater v beach. Well, the overwater are generally more expensive but they are also smaller. As Scotty said, a lot of the o/w bungs are stuck in sand and while there are some fish there is not much in the way of coral. (This is certainly the case in Moorea & Bora Bora, but less so in Manihi, Rangiroa etc). The beach suites at the Pearl in Bora Bora are monsters - you have a huge bedroom, sitting room, private garden with jacuzzi. You have direct access to the beach which hardly anyone uses. they, however, are minute compared with those at the Pearl in Taha'a!

Forget a garden room especially at the Moorea Pearl. You're miles from the sea and there's no point.

Another hotel worth considering is Relais Mahana in Huahine. Huahine is very unpsoilt and has some good "culture" and this resort is excellent value for money.

Hope this assists.....

If you have some more Qs then I am sure that between the "3 Stooges" we can answer them!

 

[Bacchus]

Seth,

Here's a couple of shots from the Moorea Pearl Beach Resort

Pearl Beach Overwater Bungalows

If you do dive with the Pearl Beach guys (Moorea Blue), make sure they take you to Lemon Shark alley.

And to visit Janine

Steve

 

[Scuba Jim]

I could only open the first one!

 

[Bacchus]

try again now!

How you doing Jim?

 

[Scuba Jim]

The melon (!) shark got close, didn't he!

Scott & I only saw one from about 30ft away in Bora Bora.

I'm doing fine thanks! Sorting out more stuff for the web site, including one day hopefully getting round to putting the Tahiti images up! At present adding in Fiji again after a 6 year break (not there yet) and generally rejigging a few things.

Currently busy writing to my illustrious Prime Minister to remind him that while most people do not actually want to pay tax if he is going to tax us the buggery at least spend my money wisely cos he's doing a damn fine job of spending it badly at the moment!

 

[First Mate]

Ahhhhhh the memories! Seems so long ago now, doesn't it?

Hi Jim! Oh yes, Eden Beach. :tinker: :fruit: And of course om e lets. How could we forget! Glad you are doing well!

Hi Steve! Great pictures on Moorea! *sigh* I would die to be back there now!

Ta ta for now.
Matey