Secrets of French Polynesia part II, September 13-27, 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 authentic French Polynesia that few even know exists. During this two week adventure we’ll spend 7 days on a catamaran in Fakarava, two nights in Papeete and 5 days with the opportunity to swim with Humpback whales in Rurutu.

Friday,  September 13, 2024
 Arrival in Papeete.  Overnight at the oceanfront Te Moana Resort, breakfast included.

Saturday, September 14, 2024
Flight from Papeete to Fakarava island, in the Tuamotus.

Saturday/Saturday September 14-21, 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 sharks, including 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!

Drift snorkels are a highlight. 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 wrasses, mantas and sharks.  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.

Saturday, September 21, 2024
We will disembark the Aqua Tiki in the morning of September 21st and fly back to Papeete and overnight.
Hotel TBA

Sunday, September 22, 2024 
Our “Road less Traveled” adventure continues. This morning we fly to the island of Rurutu, located in the remote Austral islands of French Polynesia.

Sunday September 22 -Friday September 27, 2024
Each year from August to November, thousands of humpback whales migrate from their feeding grounds in Antarctica to the warm shallows of the South Pacific to give birth, raise their calves, and mate.

During this time of year Rurutu turns into a humpback whale nursery and breeding grounds. We’ll have the opportunity to swim with whales without the crowds found in more touristy areas.

Located in the Austral Archipelago, 600 km south of Tahiti, the remote island of Rurutu is home to just 2500 inhabitants.  Rurutu is a fringing reef island with crystal-clear cool water, excellent for underwater visibility. Water temps this time of year are around 75 degrees.

Each day (weather dependent)  we’ll go out in the Bay for a 3-4 hour session with the whales. We’ll return to our hotel for lunch and have the afternoons free for exploring the island.

Besides our daily outings in the Bay, Rurutu offers a unique opportunity to see traditional life in French Polynesia.
Rurutu is one of the most traditional islands in French Polynesia, as most people speak Rurutuan, farm taro and vegetables, and line fish for a living.  The island of Rurutu is a raised coral atoll and features unique scenery, consisting of steep cliffs, limestone caves, lush green hills and beaches.  The caves are all different, and one of the largest ones named Ano a’eo is filled with stalagmites and has a hole in the top which allows the locals to talk to their gods for guidance.

During our time on the island we can hike to the caves, beachcomb, visit local plantations or even ride horseback to the mountains or beaches. The Austral Islands are renowned for excelling in the art of basketry and the work of pandanus fiber.  It will be interesting to visit villages where the women weave and live off their artwork.

Our accommodation in Rurutu is the friendly family-run hotel, Vaitumu Village.

Vaitumu Village has bungalows made of traditional coral stone, with private bathroom & 4 rooms located in a small building.  There is  direct access to a beautiful white-sand beach and a swimming pool. The spacious dining room offers a varied family cuisine based on local produce.

Friday September 27, 2024
If you choose to add extra nights and whale swims in Rurutu that can be arranged based on availability. Otherwise a group flight will be arrange back to Papeete this morning.

TRIP COST PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:
$7650.00 Bunk bedded cabin on the Aqua Tiki, garden room at Vaitumu Village
$7850.00 Double cabin on the Aqua Tiki, bungalow at Vaitumu Village
$8050.00 VIP cabin on the Aqua Tiki, bungalow at Vaitumu Village
***This departure is sold out. Contact Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com to wait list.***

Price Includes:
♦ September 13 & September 21, 2024, Two nights in Papeete
♦ September 14-21, 2024 Seven nights on board the Aqua Tiki III, including all meals and snorkel excursions while onboard
♦ September 22-27, 2024 Five nights at the Vaitumu Village hotel in Rurutu with breakfast and dinner
♦ Five days Humpback whale swims.  Note-As with all wildlife adventures, whale sightings are likely, but not guaranteed.
♦ Tour of villages, plantations and arts of Rurutu.
♦ All transfers to/from airports/hotels and catamaran
♦ All interisland flights within French Polynesia

Price Excludes:
♦ International airfare
♦ Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
♦ Lunch and Dinner in Papeete
♦ Lunch at the Vaitumu Village in Rurutu
♦ Laundry
♦ Gratuities
♦ Travel Insurance. Essential
♦ Items of a personal nature

I hope you will be able to join me on this exceptional  and unique adventure.
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