Just an appreciation post… Been two months since my honeymoon and I am still thinking about the deliciousness of this drink…. I would pay premium for delivery to the states I can’t find it anywhere 😭

We spent 5 days in Moorea and then 6 in Bora Bora - ended up buying 7 boxes of this stuff to bring to Bora Bora and wish I bought more for the way home!

I’ve heard Chikungunya is on the rise in parts of Asia and that there are two vaccines available. Is it worth trying to get one of them before my trip in November?

Are there any other vaccines that I should plan for? Or medicines that I should plan to bring that are hard to get or uncommon/expensive in Tahiti?

Does anyone have any experiences or stories to share on medical mishaps, stomach issues, etc? Of course any meal or dish has risks, but being so remote and trying to maximize my time in Tahiti, I’d rather be over prepared than have any regrets! Thank you!

Apparently Le Lezard is all booked for the entire week. Are there any other recommended restaurants that need reservations? Are most just walk-in for dinner?

We do have coco beach reservations for lunch.

Thank you!

Hi all coming up on a trip at the Westin, I’ll be staying in an OWB. I was curious about what your thoughts were about fishing from my OWB. I plan on doing catch and release. Has anyone done? It is there policies that forbid it?

La orana, I am visiting bora bora and learning a bit of Tahitian. I have been speaking a small amount to some locals and they have been teaching me more. At the end of my trip, how might I say I am grateful for them? Or is there some saying I can use as a sentimental goodbye? Mauru’uru !

Long overdue - I got a lot of good tips and information from the community and want to give back

Tahiti – Kon Tiki Boutique Hotel (1 night)

We landed in Tahiti from SFO around 8pm. Immigration and luggage took about 30 minutes since we were near the front of the plane. Taxis are easy to find and about $40 USD to the hotel.

We stayed at the Kon Tiki Boutique Hotel because the ferries weren’t running that late (next time I’d try to time this better). It worked out fine though — the hotel was a great stopover, and breakfast the next morning was delicious. Breakfast buffet was included at the hotel and was very good. Before heading to the ferry we walked to Papeete Market, which was nearby along with an ATM and a bunch of shops in case you need anything. They also have an ice cream cart on the walk there that had great mango ice cream.

The ferry was directly across the street from the hotel, and you don’t need to arrive a full 60 minutes early — 20 minutes is plenty. They also sell food and drinks onboard.

Moorea – Hilton Moorea Lagoon & Resort (2 nights)

We took the 45-minute ferry over to Moorea, then a $40 taxi to the Hilton. The ride was smooth (not rocky at all if you’re worried about motion sickness). Check-in wasn’t until 2 or 3pm, so we grabbed lunch across the street at Lilikoi Garden Café. The food was good, but the mosquitos were plentiful :(

Our garden-view room was spacious and comfortable, with an extra bed already set up for our 9-year-old. The pool was heated, snorkeling right off the beach was fantastic, and they had kayaks available too.

We rented a car the next day and hiked Magic Mountain. It’s a steep, hot 45-minute round trip, but the panoramic views at the top made it worth it. Later, we swam at Hauru Public Beach and stopped at Captain Taina’s Pier hoping to see turtles and rays — no luck that day, and the currents were pretty strong.

For food, Snack Mahana was so goood — garlic shrimp and tuna sashimi were amazing (cash only!). Dinner at Rudy’s was also excellent, and they even provided a free shuttle to and from the Hilton.

Bora Bora – St. Regis (5 nights)

The next morning, we took the ferry back to Papeete for our Air Tahiti flight to Bora Bora. Ferry is really rocky if raining. The ferry terminal had a free shuttle (15-20 min) to Faa’a Airport, and with only two gates, check-in and boarding were super quick — an hour before is plenty. The duration between ferry arrival and our flight was long, and the airport didn’t have much to do or eat. I’d suggest not heading to the boarding area until closer to departure since there is even less food past security.

Our flight was delayed due to heavy rain but still went out (Air Moana flights were canceled with long lines at their desk). Tip: sit on the left side of the plane for the best views. Air Tahiti has open seating.

At Bora Bora airport, the St. Regis team greeted us with evian water and flower leis. After grabbing our luggage, we hopped on the resort boat and were off. Check-in was seamless, and our butler gave us a quick resort tour a golf cart on the before taking us to the room.

Resort & Food

From the moment we arrived, the service was incredible. Everyone — butlers, housekeeping, front desk, restaurant staff — went out of their way to make us feel welcome. We were celebrating our 10-year anniversary, and the team made it really special with flowers and a bottle of champagne. We sent them a photo we wanted to recreate from 9 years ago with our son, and they also framed it for us and placed it in the room before we arrived.

We did full board for 2 adults and 1 child. Lunch and dinner were allowed for 3 courses for adults. Way more food than you need. Breakfast was a buffet with extra items (eggs and pancakes) you could order, and while the spread was the same every day, it was high quality and filling. Lunch had one restaurant option (shared by the friendly resort cat), and dinners any of the restaurants (Lagoon had an upcharge). Lagoon was definitely worth it — great food and views of the Mt Otemanu. They also have polynesian night for local food and dancing. We had bamboo and Farniente which were both good.

I loved the little touches, like sunscreen and aloe dispensers on the beach and mosquito spray available everywhere. The spa was a highlight — hot tub, sauna, and steam room, even without a treatment. The gym was new and well-equipped too.

Our overwater bungalow was amazing — we could see rays and fish right from the deck. The resort also offered lots of activities like marine life talks, wine tastings, and flower weaving. Each villa came with bikes, which we loved using to get around instead of walking or waiting for a cart.

Excursions

We visited a pearl farm (review here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yaCgcYUL43rZFLrr5) and did a private Shark, Ray, Elmo, and Reef excursion, which was unforgettable. We saw a lot of marine life and they dropped us off in town afterward where we had lunch, shopped a bit, then took the hotel shuttle boat back (sign up in advance).

Areas of Improvement

Service overall was fantastic, but a couple things stood out. Our toilet backed up for a few days without being permanently fixed, and one morning our coffee service request never arrived. Small issues, but noticeable at a resort like the St. Regis.

Also, the property is starting to show its age. The overwater villas especially are a bit dated, and a refresh would help keep the luxury feel.

Summary

Tahiti and Bora Bora truly surpassed our expectations. For anyone on the fence, I can’t recommend it enough — it’s idyllic, and the surreal photos you see online actually come to life here. The people, the scenery, and the fresh food all made it unforgettable. This is a trip we’ll cherish forever, and we’ll definitely be back.

Ia Ora na !

Je suis étudiante en médecine et je viendrai probablement pouvoir venir faire un stage au CHPF. Malheureusement les logements sont très chers et je voulais savoir si quelqu'un avait déjà logé chez un habitant (ou qui connait quelqu'un si vous êtes un local) avec un prix abordable pour un étudiant et où c'est assez cool, vers Pirae. Je suis très intéressée de découvrir la culture polynésienne!

Merci d'avance si vous avez des bonnes adresses, je me réjouis de pouvoir découvrir ce paradis

We just got back from Hilton Moorea and were surprised by how kayakers and snorkelers came right up to our OWB and even paddled/swam literally under our glass viewer in the floor. Is this typical at all resorts? I have a theory that many of the people were those who had garden bungalows and wanted to check the OWB’s out so wanted to get your thoughts. I’m looking for something with a little more privacy for our next trip, so I’m wondering if this happens at places like Four Seasons BB, St Regis BB or Le Taha’a?

Hello all! Me and my husband are wanting to possibly go to French Polynesia in mid-late November.

Needs: private plunge pool, a lot of sun for suntanning + warm pool water, an ocean view, full board (or food options that won’t cost a fortune). We want the feeling of complete privacy and to be out of view of other nearby neighbors.

Budget is around $4,500 USD for ~5-7 nights. Thank you!

Hi all. I'm thinking of taking a flight from the Cook Islands to Bora Bora in Nov. (RAR --> BOB). Of course, this involves a stopover in Tahiti (PPT) as all international flts arrive here. My question is - will I need to leave the airplane, go thru customs, collect my luggage and check in again to the new aircraft?

Both legs are with Air Tahiti and the flt numbers are VT37 from Cook Is to Tahiti and VT406 from Tahiti to Bora. There is a 3 hour interval from the arrival of the first flt to the departure of the second. I couldn't get much info from the Air Tahiti website.

Cheers.

We will be staying at the Westin and St Regis in November in Bora and would love to do a day of diving to see some interesting animals/corals. We will need to rent equipment and be picked up from the resort.

Do any of you have recommendations of companies to use and dive sites/areas? Would love to see mantas, sharks, whales, large number of rays, corals, etc.

Also if there are any other excursions you would recommend with info, that would be great!

I was hoping someone could help me with how I can let restaurants/food trucks know I have food allergies and was thinking of creating a little image for my phone that says something like: “Hi, I’m allergic to gluten, dairy, and eggs. Can you recommend a meal that’s safe for me?”

I asked ChatGPT to help but I want to be sure I’m not saying it incorrectly 😅🙏🏻

Also wondering how I can just ask if something contains gluten, dairy, or eggs? Yeah, having allergies is annoying lol

Wasn't able to do the scuba certification earlier this year and don't have enough time to dedicate to so many dives and do a full course... Still want to try diving and think it'd be awesome to do my first dive while in the south pacific. My wife who is semi-interested will also be joining in.

Looking around for the best place for an introductory dive on Tahiti and Moorea. We will only be spending about 6 days between these two islands. We are staying close to Papeari. Has anyone had any really positive experiences with any specific place?

Our flight out of PPT is 7:40am.

If we are staying at Sofitel in Moorea, will we have enough time to take the ferry and make it to the airport in time for our flight?

Do you pay when you get on or after you get off?

Are you able to tell them where to go or are they going to fixed locations?

Can you reserve them to pick you up and how?

I’ve always dreamed of getting a beautiful painting while on our honeymoon. Any recommendations on where to look?

Hey everyone - curious what the usual cost is for swimming with whales in Moorea these days. Do we have to book ahead of time, or can we shop around when we get there?

More importantly, I’m interested in the ethics of these tours. Are operators protecting the ecosystem, or are they doing things that disturb whale behavior just to attract animals for tourists? I’ve read that regulations are tightening to limit boats and swimmers, and extend safe distances.

Would love to hear your thoughts - or any firsthand experiences on both the cost and whether it felt ethical and responsible.

Thanks :)

Bonjour à toutes et à tous,

Je viens à Arue quelques jours. N'ayant pas le permis je me disais que pouvoir récupérer un vélo serait une bonne solution pour me déplacer facilement. Qu'en pensez-vous ? Savez-vous où je peux en louer un ? Même auprès d'un particulier, ce sera l'occasion de rencontrer des gens !

A bientôt et merci par avance pour vos retours, à plus

PS : y a des gens qui écoutent du métal à Papeete ? Si oui y a des habitudes de bars ? toujours pour rencontrer du monde !

We are at the bus stop. Seems Saturday timetable puts us at 7:13AM bus. It is 6:25 now

Anyone know if it is cash only?

I’m struggling with the inter island pass planner on their website. Interested in Papeete > Raiatea > Huahine > Papeete.

Has anyone purchased a pass and is it a significant savings?

Thank you.

We list luxury villas in Tahiti and its islands for sale—think oceanfront views, spacious design, and total privacy. Whether it’s a second home or a full-time move, we’ll help you find something truly special. Viewings available by request.

I'm surprising my wife for her 40th birthday and doing four nights in Moorea and six nights in Bora bora. We are on a bit of a budget and I am looking at hotel hibiscus and hotel Kaveka. For those who know the area, which would you pick? I want something beachfront, fairly close to restaurants, activities, etc, without the huge cost of the OWBs. Suggestions are appreciated!

Update: I've booked hotel Fenua mata'i'oa for Moorea and maitai polynesia bora bora. Would love to do a nigh5 or two in the OWB on BB but hard to justify paying minimum of triple per night. Will keep an eye out for a deal though. Thanks everyone for your help!

Anyone got experience with iPhone repairs in Papeete? I have a cracked back glass but more importantly, somehow moisture got into my lens yesterday so I can’t really take pics with it—on Raro, CK right now, and it’s a no-go here. They said Papeete auth retailer probably can replaced parts rather than whole.

Were you able to get some broken thing replaced on the spot? (1-2 hrs?) Or did you have to wait for parts import or like a week for them to fix? Preferably, I need on the spot part replacement, as I’m heading back to Tahiti this Sunday.

Planning to go to Moorea next year for our ten year anniversary. I’d love To use an agent so I can see the price difference with their discounts. Anyone have recommendations?