Murphyboy17

Again, Thanks All!!!

 

From further research, and please correct me if I'm wrong, we will be within walking distance to nice public beaches for snorkeling while in port at Fakarava and Rangiroa, and no need for snorkeling excursions.

 

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In Fakarava, go to the other side of the tender pier about 30 yards (other direction from the public beach) for great snorkeling. A local guy told us about this spot next to a dive shop and right off the tender pier. The water was clearer and the coral was great. No one was there but us and we felt OK leaving our bags under a palm tree. It's fairly shallow and the current wasn't that strong.

In Rangiroa we got a group together at the pier and took a boat out to the blue lagoon (one hour ride) and it was incredible. The snorkeling wasn't all that great but it's a black tip shark nursery in the tidal pools. You see the 3" long babies all the way to the "teenagers" just getting their colors. You just wade along with them and the sharks are everywhere and harmless. We ended up back at the Motu Nui Nui for awesome snorkeling, but very crowded. They charged $80 per person.

Count me as one of the stupid people who didn't check historical weather reports before booking the cruise.

In our experience, tropical dai s are often fleeting, so we didn't worry.

 

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For those that say we're stupid to go in Feb. We did our research and knew it was rainy season, but even the locals said their weather patterns are changing this year. January was dry, when it's usually wet. Feb should have been better, but it seems the rainy season is moving further out in the year. No one expected a typhoon type rain system stalled over FP.

We didn't expect picture perfect days everyday, just not 12 days in a row of clouds and rain.

The rain did stop during the day for most snorkeling and motto picnic action (we did all independent tours). But everyone still had the best time possible and joked about sending back black and white pictures to those folks at home. A rainy day in Tahiti is still better than a rainy day at home!

If you have an opportunity come to FP, take it now, you never know what tomorrow may bring. No regrets for coming in Feb, at least there are no crowds.

Did the Code Red conditions on Marina get settled down?

Lots of hand washing stations and we were delayed getting into the cabins on day 1 due to cleaning crews. Other than that, no evidence of Code Red, all venues were open. We stayed away from the coughers and washed, washed, washed our hands. BTW, day 2 after the cruise in Moorea, the sun came out!!

Hi, anyone in French Polynesia for a weather report? Is it raining as much as it says on the websites and cams? Has there been any sun? On Marina departing 2/25. Thanks!

Just got off the Feb 3 cruise and staying in Moorea for 2 more days. We haven't seen the sun since Feb 1. Rain everyday, the lagoons are muddy from rain running down the mountains. We joked about this being the black and white cruise, no turquoise water or blue skies. Hurricane conditions almost now, constant rain and big swells. Hope it subsides for your cruise. If we come back, it won't be in Feb.

On the other hand, the ship, crew and food were excellent, no complaints other than the weather.