Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora Recommendations Please

Lots to think about here.

I am having lots of fun just investigating and planning! :)

We have had the pleasure of visiting these 3 islands on several occasions. We are mostly 'do it ourself' type people and these islands are safe, the people love tourists and go out of their way to assist (ok, maybe not as much in Papeete). You can also grab a tour at the pier which is much cheaper than the ship's excursion and drive up Mt. Belvedere where you can see for miles and miles and miles.

On Moorea, we took a tour at the pier, think it was $20 each in a small bus. We enjoyed this so much, we did it twice in 2 trips. The guide was from CA, had married a Moorean women who he met in college. We circled the island, had great commentary, and it was all laid back but great. It was only a few hours so you can easily also go to the beach - just ask your guide which 1 is best. Moorea has the least nice beaches as a younger island and they are not as prevalent so would recommend you do your beach thing at Tahiti or Bora Bora.

Bora Bora is so beautiful, we also grabbed a tour at the pier for a drive around the island with 4 of us sharing a cab on our 1st visit. The driver showed us his island with wonderful stories. The beaches and snorkeling areas are amazing, There is 1 lagoon where you can walk out hundreds of feet in knee-high water and peek over the reef into the abyss. The small sharks come into the lagoon but are relatively harmless. They also have black-tipped sharks so know your sharks before petting them. There is shopping close to the pier area with some upscale shops - check out the art gallery right at the pier which has beautiful blown glass from a French artist. Think this is the island where there is a shopping area with lots of vendor stalls you have to walk thru to get to the pier where you can buy non-perfect black pearls for just a few dollars. We bought key chains for $5 or $10, detached the pearls and made necklaces for the grand daughters. Or you can pay much more for beautiful pearls at a jewelry store close by the pier.

Tahiti is another world compared to the other 2 islands. Papeete is a big city complete with freeways, litter, and traffic and we found it to be not very scenic where the ships dock. Once again we grabbed a cab (the same 4 from Bora Bora) and the cab driver was the best we have ever had - he even brought us home for lunch (he called his wife 1st) as he had caught "too many fishies" that morning when we asked where he would go for lunch, asked if he would join us and it was our treat. The other (non-Papeete) side of the island is much nicer with big parks, a wonderful cave you can explore, a little botanical park where you have to check out the bathrooms as stunningly beautiful.

Enjoy your slice of heaven!

We have had the pleasure of visiting these 3 islands on several occasions. We are mostly 'do it ourself' type people and these islands are safe, the people love tourists and go out of their way to assist (ok, maybe not as much in Papeete). You can also grab a tour at the pier which is much cheaper than the ship's excursion and drive up Mt. Belvedere where you can see for miles and miles and miles.

 

On Moorea, we took a tour at the pier, think it was $20 each in a small bus. We enjoyed this so much, we did it twice in 2 trips. The guide was from CA, had married a Moorean women who he met in college. We circled the island, had great commentary, and it was all laid back but great. It was only a few hours so you can easily also go to the beach - just ask your guide which 1 is best. Moorea has the least nice beaches as a younger island and they are not as prevalent so would recommend you do your beach thing at Tahiti or Bora Bora.

 

Bora Bora is so beautiful, we also grabbed a tour at the pier for a drive around the island with 4 of us sharing a cab on our 1st visit. The driver showed us his island with wonderful stories. The beaches and snorkeling areas are amazing, There is 1 lagoon where you can walk out hundreds of feet in knee-high water and peek over the reef into the abyss. The small sharks come into the lagoon but are relatively harmless. They also have black-tipped sharks so know your sharks before petting them. There is shopping close to the pier area with some upscale shops - check out the art gallery right at the pier which has beautiful blown glass from a French artist. Think this is the island where there is a shopping area with lots of vendor stalls you have to walk thru to get to the pier where you can buy non-perfect black pearls for just a few dollars. We bought key chains for $5 or $10, detached the pearls and made necklaces for the grand daughters. Or you can pay much more for beautiful pearls at a jewelry store close by the pier.

 

Tahiti is another world compared to the other 2 islands. Papeete is a big city complete with freeways, litter, and traffic and we found it to be not very scenic where the ships dock. Once again we grabbed a cab (the same 4 from Bora Bora) and the cab driver was the best we have ever had - he even brought us home for lunch (he called his wife 1st) as he had caught "too many fishies" that morning when we asked where he would go for lunch, asked if he would join us and it was our treat. The other (non-Papeete) side of the island is much nicer with big parks, a wonderful cave you can explore, a little botanical park where you have to check out the bathrooms as stunningly beautiful.

 

Enjoy your slice of heaven!

I tend to book excursions in advance, independent operators and recommended on sites like this- you got me thinking. We'll be doing overnights in Moorea and Bora-Bora. Our first time visiting a place we want to see and experience 'locally'. You recommend just finding someone at the pier/tender? Do the locals take US $ or do I need local currency?