I know I asked the question on another thread, but thought I would ask you all again about affordable excursions booked privately. We are a family of 4, and most of the snorkling excursions the ship offers are just too expensive for us.

I did write to a private operator for a catamaran on Bora Bora, and he was ready to book us about about $66 each for a half day trip. But, as soon as he found out we were there with the Gauguin he backed out, and said we had to book with the ship. I'm wondering if any of you have experienced this.

I'm specifically interested in catamaran/snorkling excursions on Bora Bora, Rangiroa, and Moorea, with contact info.

If you know that we can just take a bus or cab with our snorkling gear to a lovely beach with great snorkling from the shore, that's great too. Any info will be appreciated! I imagine that's what we will do in Rangiroa, unless we get some specific info.

Thank you so much!

:D

Many excursions I believe are priced pretty much the same with the ship or privately. At least that's my perception.

You could save money on, say, Moorea, by renting a car for the day and just bopping around, bringing your snorkeling gear from the ship. That would be ideal probably.

On Bora Bora you could take a cab to Matira beach and just hang around (I haven't done that myself.)

Take advantage of the half-day motu trips on Bora Bora--the swimming is very nice, the beach stunning, the snorkeling ok, and you get a wonderful view of the island. There are also a couple of resident dogs.

And of course the Motu Mahana day, which is golden--you can kayak and play volleyball as well as snorkel and eat and drink.

Thank you Wendy! I had forgotton about the motu on Bora Bora, so yes, thats an option...we were thinking of renting a car on Moorea anyway, so maybe we'll just wing it and find some nice cove.....I did find out from the Sheraton Moorea that you can snorkle off their beach, as long as you don't use any of their facilities (chairs, etc.) They are supposed to have some of the finest snorkling on the island...we will take a couple of the ship excursions for sure - like Dr. Poole's dolphin trip.

We stayed at the Sheraton. Well worth the trip there but: When we were on the PG Aug 22 sailing 4 people went to the Sheraton and were turned away. The tour office called the Sheraton and were told that only those who come for lunch can use the beach.They said it never happened before.

Hope you have later info but it might be good to get the name of the person since you have to go through a guarded gate.

Thank you Graham. If we decide we want to spend time there, I will email the hotel. I was told we could snorkel off their beach by one of the hotel employees who responded to my question about a "day pass". She did encourage me to email the hotel again when we were sure about the date, to get permission. From what you say, that is a necessity, particularly if they have a guard gate..