Suggestions/advice for Bora Bora 4X4 trip?

[Funatabi]

I'm seeking options (other than booking through the cruise line) for a 4X4 excursion around Bora Bora. I'm wondering if any one you have suggestions/advice you can share if you booked on your own.

 

Also, I'm an amature photographer and am wondering if a morning tour is preferable to an afternoon tour for shooting photos? (Of course, if it rains, it won't matter....:(

 

I've done some checking and it looks like there is only one 4X4 company on all Bora Bora. I thought I'd ask here what others have done.

 

Thanks in advance.

[JRoeT]

Bad news first: To my knowledge, Tapuna Mountian Safari is the only company that offers 4x4 excursions on Bora Bora. And Pricness books witht hem, so they probably won't take you independently.

 

The good news: The Princess tour with Tapuna was VERY fun. It took us up very windy, very bumpy, very steep mountain roads. The six people in our vehicle were holding on for dear life and laughing hysterically - we had fun, but it was also a little scary! My husband had one arm on the grab bar, and one arm around my waist, because I was on the end and it was hard to hold on! But it was really fun.

 

We went to the lookout points, saw the WWII artillery, went to a pearl farm, saw pareos being made . . . lots of fun stops. So, if you can't find something independent, you will have fun with Tapuna through Princess.

 

I know you were hoping to hear about an indpendent tour, but I figured I'd weigh in and share anyway. Hope it's not annoying to get the "you can go through Princess . . " schpiel!

[mountainhouse]

Lots of good words about Patrick in the Jan Prince book. He can be reached at:

patrick.bora@mail.pf

[lalawgirl]

There is only official 4x4 company on Bora Bora, which I was very disappointed to hear at the dock as the only practical way to see the remaining WWII guns is through a 4x4 tour.

 

My friend and I ended up hiring a local guide off the dock who took us on basically the same tour. However, his English was not the best, and he didn't seem as knowledgeable as the offical guides. It was still a fun ride!

[tmaboul]

This provider sells you a ride in a 4x4 that you must present the canons of Bora Bora and you discover the views breathtaking.

Unfortunately, April 14, 2012, I got was only a poor climbing on a high point at the foot of a telephone relay, plus a walk in another high point and a tour of the island on road. But no guns! It appears that access was difficult because of the rains. If a 4x4 can not go then!

The tour lasted 3:30 but the guide did not offset the inconvenience and we were escorted back after just over two hours.

For 7600 XPF per person, this is a scam.

[psyfi]

Maohi Nui has a 4x4 option that can be combined with a snorkel tour and motu picnic as well if you want. Problem is that the rates change depending on the number of people who book on the tour, which is irritating.

[Emdee]

The 4x4 can be a nightmare after the rains. The vehicles get bogged down in 2 feet of soft mud so it is not just inconvenient but dangerous.

[HamburgAvonLady]

Maohi Nui has a 4x4 option that can be combined with a snorkel tour and motu picnic as well if you want. Problem is that the rates change depending on the number of people who book on the tour, which is irritating.

 

You could always go the Roll Call fo your cruise and see if others are interested. We are going this coming October and Patrick's Tours are at the top of our list with several members being repeat customers. I am sure you could fill a boat or two, at least.

[phillymaps]

Just returned from Bora Bora where we had a great tour with Patrick Tairua <patrick@maohinui.net>. We arranged a group of 16 for the Lagoon Excursion & 4X4 Safari (8 did the Lagoon first and then the 4x4 safari, and the other 8 did the reverse - we met at the Motu for lunch) http://www.maohinui.net/en/lagon-et-safari-4x4.

[psyfi]

We have a small roll call, only 14 people so far. But we do have 6 booked to do Patrick's 4x4 plus motu and snorkelling. Obviously we would like 2 more to take the price from $270 to $219!

[HamburgAvonLady]

We have a small roll call, only 14 people so far. But we do have 6 booked to do Patrick's 4x4 plus motu and snorkelling. Obviously we would like 2 more to take the price from $270 to $219!

 

I am sure you will have many more interested as you get closer to departure. We put our deposit down almost a year ago for this cruise and the Roll call was very quiet until after the New Year.

 

Patrick and Maeva (his office mgr.) are very easy to work with and reply very quickly to my messages.

 

If I could make a suggestion: Reserve all 36 seats for the snorkel/lagoon lunch as I am sure you will have no problem getting folks to sign up. No advance deposit/payment is required so it's just a matter of keeping some lists.

 

Not sure if you are doing an overnite there --- currently I have ALL seats reserved for the 4 x 4 tours and the snorkel/lagoon lunch for the 2 days the Westerdam is there. I will let Maeva know closer to our departure re: any unsold seats.

[psyfi]

Our ship is less than 700 passengers, so it might not get much busier as many cabin categories are already sold out. Have a great trip!

[HamburgAvonLady]

Well, that may be but I think most folks wait until closer to departure to book their shore excursions --- as I said --- you can certainly reserve at least a second boat for the time being as no deposit is required. JMO.

[Gramsx2]

Does anybody have space for 2 for the snorkeling, motu & 4x4 excursion with Patrick on Bora Bora on October 22, 2012. Hubby and I will be there on the westerdam.

[HamburgAvonLady]

Does anybody have space for 2 for the snorkeling, motu & 4x4 excursion with Patrick on Bora Bora on October 22, 2012. Hubby and I will be there on the westerdam.

 

Come join our Roll Call ---- I think we just "talked" about the Snorkel/Lagoon lunch ???

 

"Westerdam --- Hawaii/Tahiti - Sept. 29, 30 and Oct. 4" --- Thanks.

[Meerjungfrau]

We have done this tour twice with different companies and loved it on both occasions. Like you, we are keen amateur photographers and found the afternoon ride absolutely fine in terms of light. We ended up with some stunning shots.

[BoraLover]

I there are a few 4x4 tour operators on the island. another good option is Vavau 4x4 adventures. you can book directly with them and I don't believe their rates change depending on numbers... Perhaps if you already have a set number in your group they might be able to lower the price... I have read their reviews on tripadvisor and they have son great reviews!!! ;)