Secrets of French Polynesia part I, September 2-13 2024

Join me in exploring the hidden gems of French Polynesia. We’ll travel to beautiful remote islands that are off the beaten path. Our small group will have the privilege to experience the authentic French Polynesia and snorkel stunning reefs during this 11-night unique adventure.

Renowned for incredible marine life, the Tuamotus are made up of 77 islands and atolls located 200 miles from the island of Tahiti.
This relatively undiscovered archipelago is super-fishy, super-shark-y and has crystal clear turquoise lagoons surrounded by pristine reefs and brilliant white sand beaches.

Our snorkel adventure takes place between Rangiroa and Fakarava, the two largest atolls.  During our small group snorkel adventure we’ll swim through channels, explore the dramatic outer reefs of the atolls and snorkel in aquarium-like lagoons full of hard coral gardens.

The Tuamotus are teeming with marine life. Schools of butterfish, angelfish, groupers, sharks, eagle rays and manta rays grace the reefs and channels of these remote and beautiful islands.
Pods of friendly bottle-nose dolphins have been known to seek out interactions with snorkelers.

One of the highlights will be fun drift snorkels riding the current through the channels. The atolls in the Tuamotus feature narrow passageways connecting the inner lagoons to the open ocean.  As the tides change vast quantities of nutrient-rich water squeeze between these passes. This water movement creates current. The nutrients create a smorgasbord for marine life and the current creates a thrilling opportunity for us to ride the current through the channels and be one with the fish!  We may be accompanied by everything from jacks, barracudas, napoleon wrasse even mantas and sharks.

Monday, September 2, 2024
 Arrival in Papeete.  You will be met and transferred to the beachfront Te Moana Resort.

Tuesday September 3, 2024
Group flight to Rangiroa and transfer to the enchanting Kia Ora hotel.

September 3-6, 2024
Three nights in paradise at the Kia Ora Resort in an Ocean Bungalow. (Upgrade to overwater bungalow available for $600 per person).

At the center of Rangiroa atoll is a large, relatively calm lagoon that is fed by just a few channels from the open ocean.  We’ll have time to relax on the beach and enjoy the house reef. We’ll have an exciting drift snorkel excursion through Tiputa pass. We’ll also visit a snorkel site called the Aquarium, aptly named because of the large volume and diversity of marine life. The ocean bungalows are dotted along the beach with easy ocean access.  For anyone who is interested, there are bikes to rent to cruise around the island. At sunset you can stroll down the road to the pass and watch dolphins frolicking in the ocean.
The restaurant at the Kia Ora features a wide range of scrumptious menu options.

When our group stayed here in 2021 we loved swimming in the warm turquoise-blue ocean in front of our ocean bungalows and we were wowed with the gourmet 3 course dinners. Wait till you try the chocolate lava cake!

Friday, September 6, 2024
Continuing our “road less traveled” adventure, we’ll fly to Fakarava island, in the remote Tuamotus.

Friday/Friday September 6-13, 2024
In Fakarava we’ll board our private catamaran. The small crew of three will make magic happen. On board there is a skipper, a hostess who cooks and serves meals and a snorkel guide. The Aqua Tiki is based in Fakarava year-round. The crew know the best reefs and passes for snorkeling and they look forward to sharing the beauty of their island and reefs with us.

Fakarava, located in the Tuamotus,  is the second largest atoll in French Polynesia and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.  These waters are famous for their rich marine diversity, it’s an underwater Garden of Eden. The underwater life found in the channels is abundant and varied. In the lagoons we’ll find beautiful corals.

We may see barracudas, eagle rays and manta rays, napoleon wrasse, as well as dolphins and a multitude of different schools of fish: big-eye snapper, goatfish, groupers, parrotfish, butterflyfish as well as moray eels & turtles. Fakarava is very sharky.  Expect to encounter schools of  gray sharks, white tips and black tips.

If we are super lucky we may even see passing humpback whales. We’re in French Polynesia at the right time!

During our week on board, we’ll have a chance to swim through channels in Fakarava and also nearby Toau Atoll. Weather, tides and currents will determine our routing and day to day itinerary and safety always comes first.

The gorgeous Aquatiki III catamaran is our moveable home for the week. The Alegria-type catamaran measuring 20 meters long and 9.8 meters wide.

The five roomy cabins are all located on the lower level. Two cabins can be made up as a twin or double, there is one bunk-bedded cabin and there are two spacious VIP cabins. All cabins have en-suite bathrooms with hot water showers.  Cabin and deck towels are provided. Cabins are fan cooled.  A/C is available 7-10 pm. WiFi is available for 50 EUR.

The comfortable lounge has videos, a library with fish ID books and a cocktail bar. On board all meals, snacks, drinking water, lemonade, tea & coffee are included.   The simple but delicious meals feature lots of fresh fish, rice and fruit.  Bread, brioches, pancakes, yogurts are all “home” prepared on board.  We’ll have the free use of kayaks and stand up paddleboards.

At the end of the day we’ll have time to enjoy the setting sun, sip a glass of wine and share the day’s adventures before we settle into a delicious dinner.  Sharing the days adventures and star gazing under the clear night sky is a perfect way to end a wonderful day.

Friday, September 13, 2024
Disembark the Aqua Tiki in the morning of September 13th.  Morning flight back to Papeete.

PER PERSON TRIP COST BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:
$6575  Beach bungalow with Jacuzzi at the Kia Ora, Rangiroa and bunk bedded cabin on the Aqua Tiki
$6775  Beach bungalow with Jacuzzi at the Kia Ora, Rangiroa and double cabin on the Aqua Tiki
$6975  Beach bungalow with Jacuzzi at the Kia Ora, Rangiroa and VIP cabin on the Aqua Tiki

Trip enrollment is full on this departure. Accepting waitlists.  Contact Wendy@snorkelingetc.com

Price Includes:
♦ September 2-3, 2024, One night at the Te Moana Resort in Tahiti with breakfast
♦ September 3-6, 2024  Three nights at the Kia Ora in Rangiroa including breakfast and gourmet 3-course dinner
♦ Two snorkels by boat in Rangiroa
♦ September 6-13, 2024 Seven nights on board the Aqua Tiki III, including all meals and snorkel excursions while onboard
♦ All interisland flights within French Polynesia
♦ All transfers to/from hotels and boat

Price Excludes:
♦ International airfare
♦ Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
♦ Laundry
♦ Gratuities
♦ Travel Insurance. Essential
♦ Items of a personal nature

I hope you will be able to join me on this exceptional journey!
For further information and an application please contact Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com  

Wendy Simon/CEO and fellow snorkel addict
Snorkeling Etc. Inc.
Santa Cruz, CA.
831 254-5001
Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com