gilliansp

We stayed at the Sofitel Kia resort and it was fab. We splashed out on an overwater bungalow to have the once in a lifetime experience. To be honest, having been there, the garden bungalows and the beach bungalows are just as lovely and much cheaper, They have a beautiful private beach area and offer an extensive amount of water activities, where you will find varieties of fish, all sizes, swimming everywhere. The hotel complex is a little run down but the staff make up for it. However, I think this is general in the Polynesia at the moment as they are trying to recover from financial hardship due to a long COVID lockdown. The resort is conveniently located for easy access to the port. We were only there for a couple of days and didn't feel the need to rent a car, but if I had been there for longer we would have needed one to explore the island properly. If renting a car I would advise doing so well in advance as cars are limited on the island.

Thats great, thank you.

Not necessary to pre-book. We are going to buy them at the port as I'm unsure of how long it will take from flight arrival to reaching the port. Although hoping to make the ferry deoarture around 9am.

Many thanks!

Advice please. We will be arriving in Papeete at 6 am if the flight is on time and be staying 2 nights in Moorea pre-cruise. So we will be goung straight to the ferry tereminal from the airport. Is it better to pre-book the ferry and if so is it an open ticket for any ferry? How long should it take for us to get through customs, collect luggage and make our way to the port. So hard to judge these things. Grateful for any tips!

Thanks, finally went for the Sofitel.

Arriving 3 days before cruise and looking at hotels with overwater bungalows. Undecided between Sofitel and Manava Beach Resort. Anyone stayed at these resorts?

Thanks for the advice. We are already waitlisted for some tours but there are others where they have actually already closed the waitlist.

Will take local currency with! Hang onto the out of date currency - one day it may be worth something!

This info is so helpful. How easy is it to rent a car on arrival on the smaller islands or is this a stupid question! If we don't have a tour arranged beforehand to the Blue lagooon area will there be vendors on shore for this? Do you know if cash or card is the better payment method for purchases on these smaller islands? I am really abusing your knowlwdge here but very appreciative.

Thanks so much, good idea.

Thanks so much. Can you forward me her contact details.Did you do any private excursions on the other islands.

Doesn't sound very hopeful! We only booked last week, had no idea this would be so difficult to arrange.

Good guess! Cruise starts Febuary 7th.

Have booked a seemingly fab cruise for next February visiting Tahiti, Moorea, Fakarava, Nuku Hua, Rangiroa, Bora Bora and Raiatea with all excursions included. The problem we now have is that all the ships excursions are already boooked up!! An issue I am arguing with the cruise line. Advice needed for doing it on our own in these ports. Although we love nature we are not experienced snorkelers but are open to suggestions. We are a reasonably fit couple in our mid-60's and this is one of my husbands bucket trip trips. Many thanks!!!