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Posted by
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Need Advice on Trip to French Polynesia
Posted by The Nino on 11/11/16 at 2:33 am10
The wife-to-be (no) and I are heading Bora Bora in mid-December for about 10 days, then hitting a few other islands for a day or two. We're just looking for some general advice from anyone that's made the trip before.
Packing
Besides clothes and the normal travel accessories, is there anything y'all suggest packing that you typically don't bring on a beach trip?
Several people have told us to pack liquor in our checked bags since the rooms are pretty far from the resort. Anyone have success doing this without it being confiscated at the airports/customs? Tips?
Restaurants/Dining
Any place that we really would regret missing out on? Any non-resort places on the main island worth eating at?
Excursions/Activities/Sights
Any must-see/must-do things down there? We'll do a dive or two, kayaks, that kind of stuff. Is there anything else beyond the norm?
Appreciate the advice. Feel free to share anything else, even if it doesn't pertain to the above
Packing
Besides clothes and the normal travel accessories, is there anything y'all suggest packing that you typically don't bring on a beach trip?
Several people have told us to pack liquor in our checked bags since the rooms are pretty far from the resort. Anyone have success doing this without it being confiscated at the airports/customs? Tips?
Restaurants/Dining
Any place that we really would regret missing out on? Any non-resort places on the main island worth eating at?
Excursions/Activities/Sights
Any must-see/must-do things down there? We'll do a dive or two, kayaks, that kind of stuff. Is there anything else beyond the norm?
Appreciate the advice. Feel free to share anything else, even if it doesn't pertain to the above
quote:
Several people have told us to pack liquor in our checked bags since the rooms are pretty far from the resort.
It's legal to travel with two bottles in your baggage. Research the rules and regulations in French Polynesia. You should be fine.
Bloody Mary's is a must eat. It was great when we were there but that was a long time ago. I presume it still is unless another poster says otherwise. When I was there it was still largely unspoiled. I suspect that if I go back I'll be disappointed at the changes but would still enjoy the island.
We did a jeep tour to the top of the mountain. The view from up there is spectacular.
re: Need Advice on Trip to French PolynesiaPosted by HoustonGumbeauxGuy on 11/11/16 at 6:07 am to The Nino
Please come back and post a bunch of pictures with some reviews
re: Need Advice on Trip to French PolynesiaPosted by IStandBytheU on 11/11/16 at 8:47 am to The Nino
One of the most beautiful places on earth. It's windy there, but December should be great. Jealous.
They make this amazing coconut bread there!
La Villa Mahana is worth a look on the restaurant front.
They make this amazing coconut bread there!
La Villa Mahana is worth a look on the restaurant front.
Went there for our honeymoon, it was amazing.
I second the jeep ride up the mountain.
Matira beach is the best true sandy beach on the mainland and is definitely worth a trip. We rented a tiny car (glorified go-kart) and it was a lot of fun to drive around. I think the island is only about 30km around.
In addition to scuba and snorkeling, we did the shark and ray feeding where you get in the water with animals, and it was pretty fun.
I second the jeep ride up the mountain.
Matira beach is the best true sandy beach on the mainland and is definitely worth a trip. We rented a tiny car (glorified go-kart) and it was a lot of fun to drive around. I think the island is only about 30km around.
In addition to scuba and snorkeling, we did the shark and ray feeding where you get in the water with animals, and it was pretty fun.
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re: Need Advice on Trip to French PolynesiaPosted by dabigfella on 11/16/16 at 12:03 am to The Nino
dont do the four seasons, i actually just posted like an idiot looking for info about a different place bc we went 3 years ago and the four seasons was ridiculously overpriced at all levels
re: Need Advice on Trip to French PolynesiaPosted by GeauxTigers777 on 11/16/16 at 7:47 pm to The Nino
La Villa Mahana to eat.
Absolutely bring your own alcohol.
Most everyone will recommend a snorkling tour/ray and shark snorkle. One fun thing we did in Bora Bora was rent a pontoon boat for a day. We bought stuff to picnic and basically drove around the lagoon and enjoyed the day. We say rays, sharks, sea turtle, fish, etc. We anchored out and swam with no one around. It was literally like we had the island by ourselves for a while. I can't recommend it enough.
We packed inflatable rafts to allow us to float off or our OWB. It was nice. Taking your own snorkle gear is also not a bad idea.
Otherwise, enjoy paradise. I would go back in a heartbeat. It truly is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.
Absolutely bring your own alcohol.
Most everyone will recommend a snorkling tour/ray and shark snorkle. One fun thing we did in Bora Bora was rent a pontoon boat for a day. We bought stuff to picnic and basically drove around the lagoon and enjoyed the day. We say rays, sharks, sea turtle, fish, etc. We anchored out and swam with no one around. It was literally like we had the island by ourselves for a while. I can't recommend it enough.
We packed inflatable rafts to allow us to float off or our OWB. It was nice. Taking your own snorkle gear is also not a bad idea.
Otherwise, enjoy paradise. I would go back in a heartbeat. It truly is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.
re: Need Advice on Trip to French PolynesiaPosted by waiting4saturday on 11/16/16 at 9:15 pm to The Nino
Hiking boots/shoes -honeymoon'd on Moorea and did some guided hiking tours which was awesome but we did it in tennis shoes and our shoes were covered in mud by the end of it. I think my shoes are still muddy.
I wouldn't worry about liquor, just go to a market and get some good French wine.
I wouldn't worry about liquor, just go to a market and get some good French wine.
re: Need Advice on Trip to French PolynesiaPosted by HoustonGumbeauxGuy on 11/17/16 at 12:36 am to The Nino
Here is a useful article from CNN that I have saved for when we visit French Polynesia (one day).
CNN - 15 other islands in French Polynesia
CNN - 15 other islands in French Polynesia
re: Need Advice on Trip to French PolynesiaPosted by The Nino on 11/17/16 at 1:01 am to dabigfella
quote:We're staying at Le Meridien & St. Regis...I'll let ya know how they are once I get back
dont do the four seasons
quote:When we booked a few months ago, I think SPG was doing a book 4 nights, get the 5th free. That deal might still be valid
So are there any other hotels you know of down there with more reasonable dinners and we'd like one of those bungalows with a plunge pool if thats at all possible. Last time in 2013 we paid I wanna say $850/night at the four seasons bora bora but would like to stay in that $800-1200/night range which basically from what I've searched is all 1 bedrooms around the island. Do you know of any ways to get a deal on 7-10 days and if so how/where/when.
quote:Good luck Pretty sure all the hotel restaurants are ridiculously priced
Would like a hotel with normal restaurants that aren't $500/night for 2 people at dinner or $150/breakfast for 2 like the four seasons.
If you have status at a hotel chain that gets you free breakfast, then use it. If not, try to find a package that gets you free breakfast. Apparently several people bring food back to their room from the free breakfast for snacks/lunch.
Watch spg site - occasionally you can buy points at 7 or 8 cents. A few years back I jumped it and bought enough for six nights (about 350 a night is what it worked out to). Then worked with hotel for overwater bungalow for about 150 more bringing to 500 a night. Worth it.
And I prefer the old dog property
To the new by a mile
And I prefer the old dog property
To the new by a mile
re: Need Advice on Trip to French PolynesiaPosted by AmeriKop45 on 11/18/16 at 9:38 am to igoringa
You are surely talking about the Le Meridien not the St. Regis?
My wife and I just got back from Bora Bora last week. We stayed in an OWB at the Le Meridien.
Purchasing a bottle or two of alcohol at duty free before your departure isn't a terrible idea. You can purchase some fruit juice or whatever mixers you like on the Island or if you have time before your connection. Mixed drinks are small and are about $20 each at the resort. I also refilled my water bottle at the hotel gym a couple times when it was convenient.
Insect Repellent and water shoes...we used both, everyday!
An underwater camera. We used it on kayaks, the beach, paddle boarding and snorkeling.
I can second Bloody Mary's. It was expensive, like everywhere else, but was the best meal we had by far. The concierge at the hotel can make all the arrangements for you.
If breakfast isn't included in your rate then try to get it. It's good but not worth $50 a person for a buffet.
All the other advice in this thread is pretty spot on. It's a super expensive place to visit but we just enjoyed ourselves and decided not to hold back. We ended up spending a lot less than I anticipated. I hope you love it as much as we did!
Purchasing a bottle or two of alcohol at duty free before your departure isn't a terrible idea. You can purchase some fruit juice or whatever mixers you like on the Island or if you have time before your connection. Mixed drinks are small and are about $20 each at the resort. I also refilled my water bottle at the hotel gym a couple times when it was convenient.
Insect Repellent and water shoes...we used both, everyday!
An underwater camera. We used it on kayaks, the beach, paddle boarding and snorkeling.
I can second Bloody Mary's. It was expensive, like everywhere else, but was the best meal we had by far. The concierge at the hotel can make all the arrangements for you.
If breakfast isn't included in your rate then try to get it. It's good but not worth $50 a person for a buffet.
All the other advice in this thread is pretty spot on. It's a super expensive place to visit but we just enjoyed ourselves and decided not to hold back. We ended up spending a lot less than I anticipated. I hope you love it as much as we did!
re: Need Advice on Trip to French PolynesiaPosted by HoustonGumbeauxGuy on 11/19/16 at 7:47 am to Lope578
quote:
My wife and I just got back from Bora Bora last week. We stayed in an OWB at the Le Meridien.
quote:
An underwater camera. We used it on kayaks, the beach, paddle boarding and snorkeling.
Not posting pics and a review will get you crucified on here. You could post the photo album of the year! PLEASE.
This post was edited on 11/19 at 7:49 am
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