cheken

We are two couples planning a 10-12 day trip to Rangiroa. We have been to Moorea 10 years ago and we have always wanted to go to Rangiroa and stay at the Over water bungalows for 5 days and at Sauvage for 5 days. We have read the posting for the last 3 years and we are ready to go, but it may not be until June of 2009. We do not dive but we love to snorkel. I would love to hear people's suggestions, ideas, recommendations, and stories about Rangiroa.
And any ideas on which travel agency to book through that is the best price. My email is [email protected]. and thanks,
Cheri

CityOfRefuge

Have you considered going on a yacht cruise that actually departs from Rangiroa on the "Haumana"? They offer 3, 4, or 7 night cruises with many activities that are included. I think there are 12 cabins plus all your meals are included. It cruises around Rangiroa solely (used to cruise Tikehau as well). Go to their website www.tahiti-haumana-cruises.com for info & pricing. This could be your "over-the-water" accomodation. There is plenty of snorkel places that this boat brings you to & there is even lunch in the water & a floating bar! As far as saving money, I think the cruise prices are set, but for air travel & hotel I would consider Costco.

Packed2Go

Unless you are VERY laid-back, I fear you will be bored after a few days. I think 3 days each in Rangiroa and Sauvage would be plenty. As for the extra few days, I highly recommend a catamaran sail with the folks at Archipels (www.archipels.com) We did a 3 night cruise inside the Rangiroa lagoon which was magical - the snorkeling was phenomenal! After several years, it still remains one of our favorite travel memories. It was our first time sailing and we would do it again in a minute - the catamaran made for very smooth sailing. The overwater bungalows at Kia Ora are terrific. We loved the coffee table that opens to the water. Drop a cracker and the fish rush in from all sides. Be sure to bring some soft music with you for evenings on the deck under the stars and above the lapping water. When we were there a few years ago, there were no radios, cd players or evening entertainment.

TC

We spent 5 days on Rangiroa at Releis Josephine - a magical place right on Taputa Pass. Each night and some mornings as the tide surged in and out of the lagoon, we watched 20+ dolphins play in the surf for more than an hour. RJ has a deck that literally hangs over the water and the dolphins were right in front of us. There really isn't much to do on the island. We are divers and had come for that specifically. The snorkeling inside the lagoon was o.k., but not spectacular in the few places we saw. I did not feel the overwater bungalows looked worth the price. We snorkeled under them and didn't see anything.

After Rangiroa, we took a bareboat and sailed throughout the islands for two+ weeks. Now that was a spectacular way to see things. We spent many days with pristine islands and reefs all to ourselves. We were collected one day by a pearl farmer who took us with his crew to harvest pearls. We took our motor dinghy up a flower laddened river. We had dolphins surf our bow wake. We caught 30 pound yellow fin tuna. It was all a magical experience -- AND much less expensive than an OWB or Sauvage.

CityOfRefuge

I just returned from Rangiroa just a few weeks ago. We spent two nights at Kia Ora (Beach family bungalow) and 3 nights on the Haumana. Dining in Rangiroa was extortionally expensive with extremely slow to non-existent service. If you do get over to Le Kai Kai (an outdoor restaurant), the food is good but give yourself at least 3 hours as the chef doubled as the driver and would pick up guests (from the hotels) & drop off between courses! Salads are big enough to share. Don't order a bloody mary as it tastes like cocktail sauce & there was no lime on the day I went (was given a lemon icecube instead) Margarita was more like a tequilla gimlet. Stick to beer & wine. The service at the Kia Ora restaurant was extremely slow with an unpleasant manager. We had many mistakes with our bill so check your bill over carefully. Fortunately the scenery & snorkeling was amazing & makes up for the island's short comings! I don't believe that you must dive here as the water clarity enables snorkelers to get the same experience. Did not go to the Sauvage but the Haumana took us to parts of the atoll across the huge expanse of the lagoon. The Blue Lagoon was beautiful but not much for snorkeling as there simply was too much sand & not enough coral. Motu Ai Ai & Faama were amazing spots with lava- like (aa) coral formations. We did not encounter another soul in those areas due to the remoteness.Lots of black tips. You eventually get used to them. Bring alcohal & snacks. Enjoy the view.