Thought I would start a thread to talk about excursions and activities on the PG. Please chime in with opinions if you've been before, and questions if you are going.

Just to start the ball rolling, I'll post what we've done in the past. In another posting, I'll post what I'm thinking of doing this time. There's also "not to be missed" stuff on the ship...

We've done:

Raiatea:

- Outrigger/4x4 land and water trip -- really good

Bora Bora:

- Shark and Ray feeding -- great, good snorkelling

- 4x4 trip-- really fun, some pretty rough roads, but nothing awful, lots of interesting things to see on BB

- Le Truck tour -- nice, although we took an a/c bus instead, which is good 'cause it's hot down there!

Moorea:

- sunset cruise--this ship is no longer there, maybe the catamaran would be as nice...

- Dolphin trip -- really great, especially if you are into wildlife. We got lucky and saw lots of dolphins, also did some really good snorkelling

- Bus trip, Belvedere. OK. Our first look at the island. Kind of oriented towards getting you to buy things, several shopping opportunities! Must see: Belvedere

- 4x4 trip. Great. Really liked it. See all the same stuff as above, but do lots of backroads too. Opportunity to climb really high up over Opunohu Bay! The agricultural station is quite interesting as well.

Tahiti:
- in the steps of Gauguin. OK. Good way to stay cool, if the Beachcomber lobby is the alternative. Must see: the Museum of Tahiti. A bust: the Gauguin museum

Wendy - thanks for starting this thread and for all the tips above. It's going to be such a huge help. We're lucky to be able to take advantage of your past experience.

Talked with Tom a little today about what type of excursions he's interested in and printed out the detail from Radisson's website. Now we have to find a way to narrow it down. It looks like we're going to stick to mostly the Island tours and snorkling. Maybe one of the 4x4 tours and DEFINITELY the waverunner. These are our initial thoughts.

Cyndi

Well Cyndi, I'm hardly the expert, lots of things I haven't done. And also lots of others here at LCT who have been as well, so they can give us their wisdom.

You also want to be able to play it by ear a bit. In my experience, not all excursions sell out immediately, so you have time to think about it on the ship.

And there are times when you just want to stay on the ship, or walk around town and take it easy.

Shipboard activities which I remember fondly:

- the children of Raitaea perform the first morning. Great fun, lots of great pictures--there are Mamas there who sell stuff as well, shell jewellery, pareos, etc.

- the pareo tying show

- the Gauguines generally

- Siglo, the band, many events poolside (we hardly ever made it up for the evening shows)

- the Polynesian dance troupe the last night--excellent!

fyi,

found this site on tahiti explorer thread on rental cars, since we will rent a car on Moorea in March. Discount coupons on other products too.

www.thetahititraveler.com/coupons/default.asp

I'm so glad to hear that there is lots of time spent on the ship. I was beginning to envision everyday spent doing nothing but water sports and excursions. Nothing against that, but I also like to lounge and relax and enjoy the beautiful sights.

Is Siglo still the band on the ship? I thought I read in a recent post somewhere that it was a different band. I've heard lots of good things about Siglo.

Cyndi

FYI,

If you are planning to do the Bora Bora Lagoonarium,
Bora Bora night dive, Bora Bora pearl farm or do the jet
ski (don't know that the 10% discount coupon)
will work for the waverunner on bora, bora.
but it is worth the shot..check out this
link..Also, there are 10% coupons for other
facilities (restaurants, bars, museums) on all
the tahitian islands..

www.tahiticoupons.com/English/dream_idp.php?debut=0&ile=1

Someone else can update us on Siglo, but my understanding is just that they get a long vacation every year, and are therefore replaced at times by another band. Sure hope they are on in May!

Thank Wes, I will have a look at those. We're going to rent a car somewhere, not sure where, either Moorea or Tahiti.

I haven't looked into prices yet, but there's lots of discussion about this and other stuff over at www.tahiti-explorer.com

Wes - Thanks for the website for the coupons. I'm checking it out now.

Wendy - I have gotten so much good info on the tahiti-explorer site. It helped me decide on my precruise. I visit it often.

Cyndi

Wendy - On our live chat did you say that the Waverunners is best on Moorea? I'm wondering if that would be the one we try to make our group excursion.

Cyndi

I think for the group excursion, are we talking ALL of Ngaire's people or just the LCT posters? We are very open to much of the excursions, but, I have been way to busy to read through the booklet yet - many many choices!

The wave runner on Bora Bora was unbelievable. Doug and I did it twice. The wave runner on Moorea was good too, but not as spectacular.

Parasailing over Bora Bora was beautiful.

All of the snorkle trips were great at all the islands...especially Sea and See. The snorkling was the best I have ever done. Doug is a scuba diver and doesn't like to snorkle, but he agreed that the snorkling was pretty incredible for just snorkling. You see a lot. I also liked the lagoonarium. The only trip I was disappointed in was the Pearl Farm and snorkle trip on the first island. It was just ok.

The motu days are not to be missed. They are wonderful.

We rented a car on Tahiti with another couple. It is a beautiful island and you can meander nicely around.

I know a number of folks who took some of the more historical, archeological trips and had high praise for them. I think, all in all, all of the excursions are really excellent. It is up to you to just decide what interests you.

Doug really enjoyed his scuba excursions.

Hi Cyndi,

No, we haven't done any waverunners. I have mixed feeling about this. It's also pretty pricey. I don't like jetskis in my home habitat--they are the scourge of our lakes. They probably don't harm the environment all that much, but they can't help either, can they?

We'll see, I'm pitching it to David to see if he's interested. It might just appeal to him since he loves his motorcycle, and otherwise doesn't really like the water that much.

Yes, the land trips that I have taken are all good. Seeing the Polynesians is good. Shopping is good too. ;)

I am interested in doing some different snorkelling trips this time, since I never felt that the snorkelling on the motus was that exciting. Lots of fun, and beautiful, but... there's a new one on Bora Bora where they take you to a coral hospital, where they are recovering damaged coral and nursing it back to health. That sounds really interesting.

As you can tell, I'm a bit of an environmentalist.

So, everybody's busy talking about Alaska, and it's freezing here in Toronto, so I'll bring this thread to the top again.

I got my new 5th edition "Hidden Tahiti" on the weekend. Am reading up, slowly, on the possibilities for driving around Tahiti and/or Moorea.

Also interested to hear from former PG-ers about their very favourite snorkelling excursions (aside from the motus).

Things I'm thinking about trying this time:

- Raiatea Lagoon and Snorkelling
- Exploration of Taha'a (have not set foot in this place!)
- BB Land and Sea Safari
- Moorea, Going to the Beach
- Moorea, Lagoon Discovery

I see that some of the newer excursions on the rssc website are not in the PDF brochure. I'm also interested in:

- BB, Coral Preservation & Snorkeling Program
- BB, Lagoonarium - Open-air Aquarium Snorkeling Experience
- Moorea, Botanical & Agricultural Walk
- Capture Moorea - Photo Adventure
- Raiatea, Jungle Hike up to the Waterfalls

Several references have been made to available night dives - we will be on the PG for 3 weeks in November with diving being a major attraction. I find, that as years go by, a night dive loses the battle against the attraction of dinner (and a few glasses of wine) compared to suiting up and getting wet! Ergo the question (finally) - Are the night dives really night dives (after dinner) or dusk dives (before dinner)?

Wendy - I hadn't thought about the noise level of the waverunners. I know that I always avoid areas with jet skis because of that. But it still sounds like so much fun. I'll probably give in on this one. Plus, if we're the ones making the noise, how can I complain :D

I pulled out the info Ngaire sent me when I booked. She has a lot of info and her own personal reviews about the excursions. Tom & I are going to go over it tonight I think. So maybe we'll be closer on being able to really get involved in this thread.

Thanks so much for all your info. It really, really helps!!!

Cyndi

I got all wrapped up in the Alaska thing and I am reading this thread thinking that I've hardly looked at the brochure and what excursions I want to take.

Since photography is my hobby, I will want to take lots of photos. I have to look and see what lends itself to lots of R and R and some photo ops with some other stuff in between.

Kathy, photo-ops abound:

- sunsets
- flowers and other plants
- fish and coral
- mountains!
- beautiful Polynesian men, women and children

The first time we went I shot a couple of pictures of children swimming of a quay in Moorea with horses. It was great.

Ah, makes me wish it was closer!

Wandra, What was your most favorite island to 4x4? Have you done any horseback riding on any of the islands? Have you done the aquasafari? Are your excursions always taken through the ship or directly from the tour operators on the islands?

Other thoughts...

Shopping is the best on Moorea. There are vendors at the dock who sell lovely things. There are also pearl company cars at the dock. They will take you to the pearl shops with no pressure and return you to the dock. You can be comfortable taking these vans. The pearl shops were the best on Moorea, but do look elsewhere as well. I particularly liked the Black Pearl Gem Factory. There are a number of nice shops in this strip that you can also visit. You can call the pearl shops and they will pick you up and deliver you to anywhere on the island. You can buy lovely things right on the ship and the price is right as well. I think I got the best price on Monoi oil on the ship. I bought a gorgeous necklace on the ship and lots of souvenirs brought on board by the Polynesian dancers.

The waverunner on Bora Bora is lovely because the waters are beautiful and gentle. You stop 2 times...once to swim on this spectacularly clear sandbar and another to have delicious fresh bananas and coconut on a little island. It is a very restful and enjoyable ride...lots of fun and you socialize alot.

The wave runner on Moorea was not as spectacular, but you get to play with the friendliest rays for a while. It is lots of fun.

The Lagoonarium experience was nice, but it was a controlled snorkling environment.

The Sea and See experience included wonderful views on a 4 by 4, a nice boat trip and then the best snorkling I have ever done.

I agree that the snorkling at the motos was not great, but it was a wonderful time.

As far as hiking and biking....remember, it is brutally hot.

Yes, I will concur on the heat. In that climate, for the most part, hiking is out of the question. But I thought I would at least consider it this time, if I spend the next 4 months in training :cool:

No, I have not done any horse-back riding. Not sure if any is available, although I did see long stretches of beach on Moorea where it would be very nice to do that.

We have always gone with the ship's excursions. Radisson treats you so well, there's nothing to worry about or plan. I like it that way.

Yes to the Monoi oil on the ship--the soap is great too, I use it all the time, but last time they no longer sold it on the ship. It's everywhere in the shops.

I think the Bora Bora 4x4 is probably the best, mostly because of the historical element--the WW2 history. On the other hand, the scenery in Moorea is breathtaking, and some trip up to the Belvedere is mandatory. And the Moorea guides seem to go out of their way to entertain their guests.

Kathy - You probably saw this, but there is the "Capture Moorea - Photo Adventure" Radisson excursion on Moorea. #MOO6893 - 4 hours. Limited to 6 guests so I guess it could get booked fast.

Tom & I have decided on just one excursion per day and are most interested in:

Raiatea -

Snorkel and Black Pearl Farm Adventure
Raiatea Island Tour

Bora Bora -

Waverunner (sounds like Bora Bora is
best for this)
Motu (offered by the ship)
Helicopter Flightseeing
Island Tour by "Le Truck"

Moorea -

Dolphin Watching Expedition
Lagoon Discovery with Snorkeling
Helicopter Flight over Moorea
Scenic Moorea
Botanical & Agricultural Walk

So now that we've narrowed it down, I'm going back to reading all the helpful posts I've printed out. There are so many past PG'ers that have given great insight - especially Wendy!! And Sedona you've helped too!!

Cyndi

Wendy & Sedona - Thanks for reminding us about the extreme heat. Even a short walk will be harder in that weather. I hadn't even thought of that.

Cyndi

Cyndi, My 2 cents....I would not recommend the
Raiatea -Snorkel and Black Pearl Farm Adventure. The snorkling was so so and the Pearl farm not too exciting. It was mostly set up to sell you things from a very small collection of pearls.

I heard that the Raiatea Island Tour was far superior and everyone who took it really loved it.

Bora Bora - You can do both motu and something else. Don't miss the motu. Everyone of the other tours was highly recommended. We only did the waverunner. We had a back to back and did it twice!

Waverunner (sounds like Bora Bora is
best for this)
Motu (offered by the ship)
Helicopter Flightseeing
Island Tour by "Le Truck"

Moorea - Heard great things about the dolphin trip. I enjoyed the Lagoon discovery.

Sedona - Thanks so much. From your post right before your last, it sounds like Moorea is the place to check out the black pearls. And we will be doing a lot of snorkling from our OWB in Bora Bora on our precruise. So I wouldn't even miss the Snorkel & Black Pearl Farm especially if it's not that great.

For the waverunner - we also want to wait to see what the majority will do so we can join the group excursion if one is planned.

All your info is helping to narrow it down!!

Cyndi

Since we were on a b2b, we had the first week to learn about black pearls and look at the shops in Tahiti and the second week to purchase. We thought Ron Hall at Island Fashions on Moorea was reasonable and had good quality. I had read good things about him before going. The shop is walking distance from where the tender lands. Someone also had recommended that we seriously look at the vendors on the motu during the all-day picnic. In the end, we found a few items from a woman on the motu, who had a pearl farm, and after having them appraised here, they turned out to be wonderful buys. (We had also shown them to Hall during our second, who acknowledged that we had done well.)

When we were on the motu, I wasn't impressed with the expensive pearls that the vendors had, but bought lots of the baroque black pearls at a great deal. Bring cash if you plan do buy things on the motu.

I loved looking at the shops on Bora Bora for the pearls. However, the deals were best on Moorea and the choices better. We did a back to back, so I controlled myself and shopped (did not buy) on week 1. I bought the best deals on week 2. I took cards, called ahead and had the purchases ready for me. They even delivered the pearls to the ship on Moorea.

I think the PG trip offers so much...great food, service, wonderful beaches, tours, shopping, entertainment. You are very lucky to go on this trip. Cyndi, where are you staying on Bora Bora? It is such a beautiful island and the beaches and water around the island is spectacular.

I haven't done the black pearl trip. But I have been on a black pearl farm tour elsewhere, and it was very interesting. Learned alot about the pearls, and why they are so expensive. Also learned about the grading and certification system (which I have forgotten almost completely.) What I do remember is that you get what you pay for.

If you buy the cheap loose pearls on the motu, you shouldn't expect much--apparently there is a kind of blight or something that affects some pearls. It shortens their lifetime drastically. Don't remember anything more about this. It may just be the high-end producers' way of getting you to buy their product.

You are all giving such great tips on the Black Pearls. It's going to help to be more prepared when I get there. Any specific tips about black pearl rings? I LOVE rings and think that is what I'll be looking for the most.

Sedona - We're going to Hotel Bora Bora for our precruise. When I was researching, it seemed like it was one of the best for snorkling, had fantastic service and quiet surroundings. We wanted to keep to the flavor of the islands and thought that HBB would provide that more than one of the bigger resorts (even though we usually love the bigger, beautiful resorts). Hope we chose wisely.

Cyndi

Well, glad I keep Ida away from this board..
have a tape recording going at night that
repeats, "NBP, NBP, NBP..No Black Pearls"

r/wes

Wes - good luck!! You know how determined we shoppers can be <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Cyndi

They have a great presentation on the PG about black pearls. I actually learned more about them there then on the tour. I highly recommend the lecture.

There are two organizations which grade the pearls, but they are done by the naked eye. Each of these organizations claims to be best.

Black pearls are not black. I was amazed at how many colors they come in many colors including magenta, turquoise, green, purple, blue, gold, black, grey, and mixtures. They are graded by eye... A, B, C...A's are flawless, B's have a flaw that can be hidden on a ring or in a setting and C's have more flaws. Then, there is luster. The best pearls have a luster similar to a mirror. There is no additional rating or higher cost for color. Then, there is size...a 10mm is large and costly and an 8 is rather small.

A C quality round pearl around 9mm with high luster should cost around 250-300.

Baroque or teardrop shaped pearls can offer a better value and can look lovely in certain settings. Hope this helps. You should see all of Ngaire's pearls. She is the real expert!!

Hey Cyndi,

The thing about the pearls is that it's really best to buy them loose, and have them set when you get back to the States. Gold is very expensive in Tahiti. You can work with a vendor to pick the right pearls for a particular kind of ring, or perhaps work with a jeweller at home, before you go.

We also had the "NBP" mantra going in 2000. But we came back with a modest pair, which I had made into earrings. I love them.

Wait until you see the natives wearing their pearls. Everywhere, they are just everyday jewellery!

Sorry I am so late to this topic. What we are thinking of:

RAI 444 snorkeling on Raiatea

Waverunner, helicopter, lagoonarium, and shark feeding on Bora Bora. Can all four be fit in over two days along with motu time?

Lagoon discovery and parasailing in Moorea.

Any that we need to ensure that we book 60 days out?

thanks,

Marc, you've worn me out just reading about all you hope to do in Bora Bora :D But then I guess the helicopter is rather short, so maybe you could add that in with another excursion. I'm pretty sure we want to do the waverunner (if the group decides on it). I think we decided to pass on the helicopter since we'll be flying over Bora Bora to get to our pre-cruise hotel. I also want to do the motu. Maybe one more, but not sure.

Wendy & Andi, I just realized I didn't respond to your last inputs on the pearls. Thanks for all the info. I can just print out this thread as a handy reference guide while I shop. That is, if I shop. I just re-read the info Ngaire sent on the PG. It includes all her great info on pearl shopping too. But, the prices are even higher than I thought! I'll look, but may not buy.

Marc,

I'm guessing you mean RAI 4444 "Raiatea Lagoon and Snorkelling". This looks fabulous, and includes a visit to Taputapuatea, which is good.

I've read that there is some nice snorkelling here, so I might do that too.

As I remember, we just have the afternoon there--in the morning the children come on board to perform, and tenders don't start until noon. Not sure why they don't dock in Raiatea--they built a brand new dock for the Renaissance ships, and I the Tahitian Princess uses it now, but the PG didn't last time we were there.

Cyndi, I've been reading in my guidebook about the Hotel BB--it sounds like the snorkelling there is fabulous. So lucky you! I'm still thinking of trying: Coral Preservation & Snorkeling Program
Tour code: BRB6911. This is at the BB Pearl, which hotel I would also love to see.

Marc, I know you love water sports, so it looks like you have it right.

I pulled out my old "Daily Passages" and looked up the schedule for BB. If the schedule is the same (and who knows if it is!), the Helicopter Flightseeing is first thing in the morning (8:30/9). So is the Shark and Ray Feeding (8:30). There were two Waverunner times, one morning and one after lunch. So, you should be able to fit in the motu one afternoon!

Or...I might just go kayaking from the sports platform that afternoon in Raiatea, or go the enrichment lecture, or go to a Tahitian dance class, or make shell necklaces, or...have a nap!

Wendy, one of the biggest reasons I picked HBB is for the reviews I read on the snorkeling there. Can't wait to try it from our OWB. That Coral Preservation & Snorkeling sounds good too. (so many do!!!) The BB Pearl is supposed to be beautiful. I also think I might vote for the things you mentioned in your post just above for the afternoon in Raiatea. I want to enjoy the PG itself and relax. I'll rest up for the fun filled days at Motu Mahana and Bora Bora.

Marc, The Bora Bora Lagoonarium #BRB1605 is one that we are considering. Is that the one you mentioned? It sounds good and is one that Ngaire liked and said that most people rave about it. But then again, the Shark & Ray Feeding Snorkeling Tour #BRB1606 sounds really good too.

If we were to do the waverunner in Bora Bora what are the pros & cons of doing it on the 1st or 2nd day of Bora Bora? According to the schedule we get in Bora Bora at 9:00 am and the 1st waverunner starts at 8:30. So we would have to do it at the 1:30 time. What do you all think? Would it be better to do the waverunner in the morning on the 2nd day? Or afternoon of 1st day?

Cyndi, I really envy your pre-cruise! I'm sure you will have a fabulous time. I thought about upgrading our pre-cruise, but decided not to be greedy--we are doing a back-2-back, after all, so 2 days in Tahiti should suffice!

And gotta keep something for next time! I am definitely addicted to French Polynesia, so I can always live in hope there will be yet another visit in the future!