Tahitianbigkahuna

Best way to see French Polynesia is on a small ship ... larger ships can not visit some of the islands and other islands are starting to go the same direction ... soon larger ships will only be allowed to visit Tahiti and Raiatea ... Windstar Paul Gauguin Aranui Those are the 3 who are home based in FP. A few smaller ships still do visit now and then but it it rarely.

Moorea is an easy island to love ...

Both islands are very nice though there is the old but very truthful saying, "people come to French Polynesia for Bora Bora ... but they end up falling in love with Moorea". I personally would do your catamaran on Moorea 😉

Sitting in Cook's Bay Moorea ...

Just don't book yourself on a behemoth like this ... Earlier this year the Capitan moved our small ship from Oponupo Bay to Cook's Bay on Moorea as this was steaming into Oponupo Bay. I snag the picture as we were leaving Oponupo Bay. All 165,000 tons of her with a capacity of 4900 guest. When something like this steams in everything changes on the island as far as how busy it is and the available private excursions. Hopefully Moorea moves toward what some other islands in FP are doing .... eliminating the behemoths from visiting.

Never tried so I can't say ...

That is pretty to close this was take 😉

Rainbows abound in French Polynesia ... taken at the black sand beach on Tahiti looking towards Moorea.

Think we must wait for the Star Breeze to actually be in FP full time ... I've been told that the immersion will be solid, top notch ... I've been told that the dinning is very good on the Star Breeze ... and 5 dinning venues. Hard to compare when you don't have the actual ship to compare with .... I just know the prices on WS on the Star Breeze are incredible right now as they get ready to launch full time in FP .... WS has been sailing FP for 35 years ... 25 years for PG. We shall see ...

Leaving Raiatea .... what a beautiful sunset. If you look closely Bora Bora is in the background some 18 miles away. Raiatea is a lovely island ... super for those that want to see the old temples and cultural stuff.

I've been on the PG 15 times ... loved most of the cruises ... lately some things have changed and not the usual perfection as in the past ... hopefully things will get back to normal in the future .... not big things but noticeable. However, I now have 3 cruises scheduled for the Windstar Star Breeze ... I been told by many that the service and Food are equally as good as the PG. This simply comes down to price ... all of my Windstar cruises are about a 25% savings even when you add the premium package. Love the bigger cabins on the Star Breeze. Keep in mind Windstar is leaving the Star Breeze full time in FP ... so I would suspect the cruises will be very good as the intention is to go toe to toe with PG. You can't go wrong with either .... BTW, though the issuing of on board credit by a TA is acceptable ... kick backs after the cruise is a no no. If a TA gets caught doing it it they could loss their ability to sell the cruise. Competition is always good for the consumer 😉

Lovely Huahine ... Hiro's 'rock' can be seen on the left. Taken in Maroe Bay

3PM .... though they may take your bags around 2:30PM if crew is back from their few hours of time to shop for themselves. If you arrive at 2PM there still may be a line ... yes you can leave after check-in is completed on-board. But remember the boat drill is now 5:30PM. You don't want to miss as they do a roll call .... if your not there you will be required to take the following day which could upset your plans for the day ...

Depends on the time of year ... though I would say it's always busy. In July it's doubly busy ... Closing is usually no later than 3PM<, sometimes sooner if they run out of food which has happened on busy days

As Flightmedic555 said .... it is walkable But you could taxi over ... then have the same taxi person return like at 1PM to pick you up and thake you to your accommodations. My person favorite at Snack Mahana is the curry shrimp ... yum This is one of the most popular places on the island ... both tourist and the locals

Polynesian night on the Paul Gauguin ...

Isn't that weird ....

If you show up at lunch time your likely not going to get in without a long wait. There is room close to some of tables, not all, but some.

Are you ready for the drift snorkel on Tahaa? My Better Half's favorite place. You can see the top of Otemanu on Bora bora 13 miles away.

That is very early for an excursion pickup ... might I suggest depending on where you are staying to contact the concierge and have them arrange for a tour. You get yourself to the place your staying, leave your bags and then have to excursion pick you up at the place your staying .... just a thought.

No problems with the weather where we live ... went up again yesterday ... $6.59 for the cheap stuff

That view never gets old ... Cook's Bay Moorea iphone SE3, nothing special

There is some on the pool deck ... but you will need to claim early as there is a limited amount. Both sides have a similar amount but this side is a bit more quiet as it is away from the pool bar. There is also a little on deck 9 ... pictures are dark as it was sunrise shots 😉

No shade cover ... make sure you take good sunscreen and broad hat. This is why I like the pontoon rental on Bora Bora ... good shade and they do have 15hp boats. Have rented on Bora Bora several times.... pictured at the coral gardens on Bora bora.

I'm aware of this place, have rented cars from them, no problems. But ... you asked for a place that doesn't require a lic ... the reason you need a lic is the motor is 30hp. Vendors are only allowed to rent a boat without a lic for up to 15hp ... most places are now using 30hp 😉