Snorkeling in Tahiti

[vstrom]

We are going to Tahiti in March on a Princess cruise. I do not want to do my snorkeling thru them.

 

Can anyone tell me of some good beaches that we can snorkel off of. We don't want to snorkel off of a boat, even though it is most likely better that way.

 

We have done this in the Carribbean before and have been happy.

 

We have our own equiptment.

 

Any info would be helpful.

 

 

VSTROM

[chrismch]

We snorkled on our own on own in Rarotonga. Just got off the boat and asked to be taken to the beach by a shuttle bus. Got off the bus and walked down the beach about 1/4 mile and started walking to the motu/island which was about 1/4mile out. It wasn't until we got to the back of the island that we started seeing anything worthwhile. At this point the water was about neck high and the back of the island where we were swimming around the coral was maybe 10 ft deep. Not much fish at all until there were large rocks and hunks of coral. Some of what we saw were blue crommets, trumpet fish, moray eel, a blue polka dotted fish, moorish elba, blue lipped clam and blue starfish and several others we had seen elsewhere on Princess escorted tours. Another couple we met on the beach who gave up because they didn't see anything worthwhile in the first 50 ft walked down the beach the other way and later told us they saw lots of fish there as well. All our other snorkles/scuba were by boat. Other folks who just snorkled said it was hit or miss whether it was good. On Huahine we did a snorkle by boat also, but it was by a beach where we also saw people walking out from the shore so there must have been a shuttle there as well. :p

[wystiria]

HI - it's been a year now since I got off the TP - god that was a great time! Anyway you can snorkel from almost all of the beaches. or better yet the motus!!!!

 

But the best snorkeling we did was hands down in the coral gardens off of Tahaa (little island off Raitea) you had to take a boat there BUT you got off the boat on a motu and then walked tot eh ocean side fo the motu and got in teh water and swam with the current towards the bay - FABULOUS snorkeling!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE! we went with Bruno but Princess offered a coral garden tour too.

 

We also did some great snorkeling off of Rangioroa - but I am not sure which itenerary you are on.

 

Bora Bora and Moreea also have fabulous snorkeling. Basically the is good snorkeling everywhere. Just catch a boat to a motu and then snorkel fromt eh motu

 

Motu = little barrier island :) incase you didn't already know

 

 

I also dive and the snorkeling we did on Tahaa was just as good as most of my dives!

[Sweetd]

I was on Tahitian Princess in January 05 and did several trips from the ship shore excursions & one trip directly from operator in Bora Bora. All trips were good but trip I took with following operator was best of all & least costly:

 

Magic Snorkeling Safari

Claude Sibani

e-mail: magicsnorkeling@mail.pf

Cost $50 for 3 1/2 hr trip & made 3 stops. Was great trip.

 

I also did a drift snorkel in Rangaroa & it was fun but got beat up by coral. Very rough when I did it and would only recommend if water is calm.

 

You can also find operators at other islands but this was easiest to set up. If you have any other questions you can email me at cslynn03@yahoo.com until 1/25/06. Will be cruising in Caribbean!

You will have a great trip. Ship is super and islands are wonderful!

Regards,

Cory Lynn

[SeaYa52]

Where did you go on the Bora Bora 3/stop snorkle? Any chance to see the giant manta's - or is that limited to diving?

 

I am the only diver in our group - and really wanted a chance to do the manta dive in the morning - but unless I can find some others, I'll be snorkling in Bora Bora.

Thanks,

Sandy

[SeaYa52]

Where did you go on the Bora Bora 3/stop snorkle? Any chance to see the giant manta's - or is that limited to diving?

 

I am the only diver in our group - and really wanted a chance to do the manta dive in the morning - but unless I can find some others, I'll be snorkling in Bora Bora. I really don't like to dive with a group I don't know - bad experience in Maui - and my normal dive buddy won't be on this trip.

Thanks,

Sandy

[SeaYa52]

Where did you go on the Bora Bora 3/stop snorkle? Any chance to see the giant manta's - or is that limited to diving?

 

I am the only diver in our group - and really wanted a chance to do the manta dive in the morning - but unless I can find some others, I'll be snorkling in Bora Bora. I really don't like to dive with a group I don't know - bad experience in Maui - and my normal dive buddy won't be on this trip.

Thanks,

Sandy