confusion on the coral gardens drift snorkel

[a flygirl]

We are on the Dec 30th cruise , Dreams of Tahiti 

Jan 1 we are at Raiatea 8am to 6 am the following morning, then Jan 2 at Motu Mahaea Tahaa.

 

Windstar has 2 Coral gardens excursions, one on the 1st and one on the 2nd... are they the same excursion just different days?

Sorry, I think they are but just want clarification.. I booked us on the Jan 2nd Coral Gardens... I think that might also be the beach BBQ day?

Any insights?

Thanks 

 

 Any tour suggestions  for Raiatea if we stick with Jan 2 coral gardens?

 

[aprilsp88]

We did the drift snorkeling from both Raiatea (Windstar tour) and Tahaa (private tour from Te Mara Nui). They went to the same place. 

 

Fellow cruises rented a car from Raiatea airport.

[a flygirl]

Thanks ... 

[Mocamps]

We’ve just come back from 17 day cruise and went to Raiatea once and Taha’a twice. I believe the Coral Gardens excursion is the same one and I would do it on the Raiatea day as on tbe Tahaa day they set up the Beach BBQ on the motu - with loungers on the beach, a bar, spa and all the water sports as well. We were also able to snorkel from the beach. It’s shallow and probably not as good as the drift snorkel (as long as you like drift snorkels. Some people didn’t!) but still plenty to see. We even saw a shark and stingray. We really enjoyed our 2 days there just chilling on the motu. 

[stromer]

I am trying to plan excursions in Tahaa to the Coral Gardens and need to know where my ship (Windstar Star Breeze) is actually docked or anchored since I do not know where my ships dock location is.  Windstar says it is near Baie Faha which is near Motu Mahaea.  They say they tender between these 2 locations.  I cannot find these locations on the map and Windstar cannot tell me so does anyone know where that is on the map.  I have a map of Tahaa - if you know where this location is could you point it out in relation to items on the map or in relation to clock locations on the map where 12:00 is at the top or Patio and 6:00 is at the bottom or Poutoru and 8:00 is at Tiva and the resort near the Coral Garden is about 9:30 on the atoll.. I am trying to coordinate this excursion with Winstar activities on the Motu Mahaea.  Also does this Motu have snorkling/reef, etc.

Thanks, Rick

[Nearpost345]

Stormer

I don’t know if this helps, but when we did this trip with the Windspirit the ship simply dropped anchor out in the ocean. It was closer to the Motu than it was to Tahaa. It took us about 15 minutes to tender to Tahaa, however where the Star Breeze will drop anchor exactly I don’t know. The tenders run continuously so grab an early one if turns out you have a thirty minute tender ride (unlikely) to deal  with.

 

The Windstar crew are on hand on the motu with snorkels. 

Edited December 21, 2021 by Nearpost345