First off let me say this was a super way to celebrate our 50 years together. Tahiti.com did a great job putting together this trip per my requests. We had 6 nights Moorea, 7 nights Bora Bora, and 3 nights Tahiti. The Intercontinental chain of hotels we used was a great match for us. We stayed in a beach front bungalow in Moorea, an over water bungalow in Bora Bora, and a superior room with a lagoon view in Tahiti. So we experienced all types of rooms. The staff at all 3 Intercontinental locations was terrific. Very friendly, doing all to make our time wonderful. I realize that some will say such and such is a much better hotel but we would return to the places we stayed in a heartbeat. I honestly can't find fault with anything. The breakfast buffet at all 3 places was terrific. So many choices and the quality was top notch. The beaches were clean as were the pools. Our bungalows/room were immaculately clean, beds were super comfortable. I could go on and on. Thanks also to all the folks on Trip Advisor for their help. Destination experts as well as those who posted their own trip reports. Got some very useful information.
To be honest we enjoyed Moorea and Bora Bora the most. Tahiti was just too busy for us and not the slow paced lazy going Polynesian experience that we most enjoyed. All the restaurants we went to for dinners were terrific and I thank those who posted reviews on Trip Advisor. Those reviews, especially the ones with pictures, helped me decide where to go for our dinners.
Moorea: The land excursion with Francky Franck was something we're happy we did. If you don't rent a car it's a nice and inexpensive way to see see highlights of the island. Moorea Miti provided a wonderful full day excursion with snorkeling and a BBQ lunch on a private motu. We also spent several hours at the Lagoonarium.
Bora Bora: The snorkeling excursions that we did in Bora Bora were amazing. We did both Pure Snorkeling and Lagoon Service. Highly recommend that you do both if you can.
Tahiti: Our hotel here had the best pool of all the IC properties but not a natural beach area like the others. We found Papeete to be confusing to get around and got lost several times trying to find a place to park our rental car, the local market, and some other stores. I was glad we made time for the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands. I learned so much.
My husband was a bit disappointed in the scuba diving. He was not that impressed with the diving in the 3 islands we visited. To be honest we probably should have added Rangiroa or Fakarava for him to go diving. I've read that this is where divers should go.
The colors of the lagoon in Bora Bora were unlike any we've seen elsewhere. Provo in Turks & Caicos comes very close and their pure white soft powdery sand beaches can't be beat yet. So the beaches in French Polynesia that we visited come in second.
The long plane ride to get from the east coast of the US to Papeete is a killer. Because we're in our 70s long plane rides really do a number on us. For this reason alone we will most likely not do a return visit.
We rented a car for a day on each island. Used a local company Albert's on Moorea, Avis on Bora Bora, and Hertz on Tahiti. All 3 provided great reliable cars. Renting a car is the way to really see more of the islands.
We were most impressed by the staff at the places we stayed and in general-just the people of the islands. Very warm and welcoming.
There are a few regrets. Wish I had bought some things the first time I saw them as later proved to be disappointing. I should have bought that CD that had selections from local groups drumming and singing, spent the $$ on the beautiful wood mask even though I was worried about its weight. Wish the weather had been better for us to take a water taxi in Teahupoo to see the "big wave" action. Wish I had done 4 nights in Tahiti instead of the 3 because then I would have had time for places on my sightseeing list that I missed.
So, lots of positives and only a few negatives. This is truly a destination for a special celebration-honeymoon, anniversary, milestone birthday. We met other visitors from all over-Spain, France, Taiwan, and other places in the US. We have great memories but it's on to the next trip-Spain this July.
Mauruuru roa French Polynesia!
To be honest we enjoyed Moorea and Bora Bora the most. Tahiti was just too busy for us and not the slow paced lazy going Polynesian experience that we most enjoyed. All the restaurants we went to for dinners were terrific and I thank those who posted reviews on Trip Advisor. Those reviews, especially the ones with pictures, helped me decide where to go for our dinners.
Moorea: The land excursion with Francky Franck was something we're happy we did. If you don't rent a car it's a nice and inexpensive way to see see highlights of the island. Moorea Miti provided a wonderful full day excursion with snorkeling and a BBQ lunch on a private motu. We also spent several hours at the Lagoonarium.
Bora Bora: The snorkeling excursions that we did in Bora Bora were amazing. We did both Pure Snorkeling and Lagoon Service. Highly recommend that you do both if you can.
Tahiti: Our hotel here had the best pool of all the IC properties but not a natural beach area like the others. We found Papeete to be confusing to get around and got lost several times trying to find a place to park our rental car, the local market, and some other stores. I was glad we made time for the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands. I learned so much.
My husband was a bit disappointed in the scuba diving. He was not that impressed with the diving in the 3 islands we visited. To be honest we probably should have added Rangiroa or Fakarava for him to go diving. I've read that this is where divers should go.
The colors of the lagoon in Bora Bora were unlike any we've seen elsewhere. Provo in Turks & Caicos comes very close and their pure white soft powdery sand beaches can't be beat yet. So the beaches in French Polynesia that we visited come in second.
The long plane ride to get from the east coast of the US to Papeete is a killer. Because we're in our 70s long plane rides really do a number on us. For this reason alone we will most likely not do a return visit.
We rented a car for a day on each island. Used a local company Albert's on Moorea, Avis on Bora Bora, and Hertz on Tahiti. All 3 provided great reliable cars. Renting a car is the way to really see more of the islands.
We were most impressed by the staff at the places we stayed and in general-just the people of the islands. Very warm and welcoming.
There are a few regrets. Wish I had bought some things the first time I saw them as later proved to be disappointing. I should have bought that CD that had selections from local groups drumming and singing, spent the $$ on the beautiful wood mask even though I was worried about its weight. Wish the weather had been better for us to take a water taxi in Teahupoo to see the "big wave" action. Wish I had done 4 nights in Tahiti instead of the 3 because then I would have had time for places on my sightseeing list that I missed.
So, lots of positives and only a few negatives. This is truly a destination for a special celebration-honeymoon, anniversary, milestone birthday. We met other visitors from all over-Spain, France, Taiwan, and other places in the US. We have great memories but it's on to the next trip-Spain this July.
Mauruuru roa French Polynesia!
Thank you for such an informative report. I’m sure others will enjoy to read about your trip. Great idea to upload the menus. Some places you went we had the same experience (st. James) and at others you must have been luckier than we were ( mai Kai, lucky house). I have to send you congrats to be so active and enjoy to travel. Wish you a great time in Spain and look forward to follow your next trips. Greetings from Switzerland.
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