I don't have the answer yet - but we're going to Tahiti/Moorea/Bora Bora at the end of Jan for 2 weeks. We're booked into overwater bungalos in M & B - but the garden views in Tahiti. I will come back here when we get back and let you know. Our travel agent used Islands in the Sun to book our trip and they were great - but I'll give you an update when we get back.

Got back from our vacation. Unbelieveable place!!! My recommendation is to spend very little time in Tahiti. We spent 1 night at the beginning (we slept to recover from our plane ride) and 2 nights at the end - really just 1 full day (plenty). We stayed at the Le Meridien there - it was very nice - all rooms had a pretty nice view. Wouldn't recommend an overwater bungalow - you can't get down to the water from theirs and there were signs that the current was dangerous. In Moorea, we stayed at the Beachcomber. Loved it. The bungalows were only 1/2 over the water - but you could feed a huge variety of fish from the balcony - and you could go right into the water from there. The service was great and the people really nice. We stayed there 6 nights - perfect length. The island is beautiful and the snorkeling good. Then we went to Bora Bora. We stayed there 5 nights. We stayed at the Le Meridien in an overwater bungalow. Gorgeous!! Part of the floor was glass and you could watch the fish. You could swim right off the deck - and the room was the nicest we had. The only drawback - and it was minor - was that since it was on a separate motu from the island, you had to grab one of their boat shuttles they had to get to Bora Bora. After a week in Moorea, we were so relaxed, it took us a while to get the hang of it. We went snorkeling, swam with sharks (little ones) and rays - what a great place - and no picture you have seen can prepare you for what the water looks like. This was indeed a dream vacation. Islands in the Sun was the company our travel agent dealt with - and everything was flawlessly executed. Ya'll will have a great time!!!! I only hope some of my pictures come out.....

Got back from our vacation. Unbelieveable place!!! My recommendation is to spend very little time in Tahiti. We spent 1 night at the beginning (we slept to recover from our plane ride) and 2 nights at the end - really just 1 full day (plenty). We stayed at the Le Meridien there - it was very nice - all rooms had a pretty nice view. Wouldn't recommend an overwater bungalow - you can't get down to the water from theirs and there were signs that the current was dangerous. In Moorea, we stayed at the Beachcomber. Loved it. The bungalows were only 1/2 over the water - but you could feed a huge variety of fish from the balcony - and you could go right into the water from there. The service was great and the people really nice. We stayed there 6 nights - perfect length. The island is beautiful and the snorkeling good. Then we went to Bora Bora. We stayed there 5 nights. We stayed at the Le Meridien in an overwater bungalow. Gorgeous!! Part of the floor was glass and you could watch the fish. You could swim right off the deck - and the room was the nicest we had. The only drawback - and it was minor - was that since it was on a separate motu from the island, you had to grab one of their boat shuttles they had to get to Bora Bora. After a week in Moorea, we were so relaxed, it took us a while to get the hang of it. We went snorkeling, swam with sharks (little ones) and rays - what a great place - and no picture you have seen can prepare you for what the water looks like. This was indeed a dream vacation. Islands in the Sun was the company our travel agent dealt with - and everything was flawlessly executed. Ya'll will have a great time!!!! I only hope some of my pictures come out.....

Pretty much have to agree with Debi. My wife and I just returned from ten days in Moorea, BB and Tahiti. Moorea is the prettier island, BB has the most outstanding lagoon imaginable. We did all Parkroyal's and they were all great, but I wouldn't concern myself much with where to stay in Papeete. Just use it for the last night before heading home. If you want to see the town, take a day trip from Moorea.

We stayed in OTW bunagalows all the way and we thought they were great. They're expensive, but so is everything else and if you can afford to got to FP, you should do it right.

Please feel free to email if you want any specifics.

I agree with Debi and Doug. We honeymooned in Bora Bora and Moorea for 2 weeks June/July '98. We were told to stay away from Tahiti as it is very "seedy". I also heard that there is absolutely nothing to do on Rangiroa. We also stayed at the ParkRoyal properties in both Islands. In Moorea, at the Parkroyal (which is the best property on the Island) the overwater bungalows are 1/2 in the water, however there are 4 of them that are totally in the water..we stayed in one...#510. While the land in Moorea is quite beautiful and lush, the lagoon in Bora Bora is like nothing you have ever seen. Definitely stay in the over the water bungalow, it is worth the money. We stayed in Moorea 5 days and Bora Bora 8 days. Don't know where you're traveling from, but it takes 8 hours from LA to Tahiti. We are from the East Coast...so figure 24 hours travel time. We stayed in LA before and after to break up the travel. A few tips.....don't take a lot of clothes...we overpacked. Bathing suits, shorts, and sundresses are all you need. We didn't wear half the clothes we brought. Also, get a good pair of water shoes..the coral is very sharp. Don't fly AOM is you can help it. The most uncomfortable flight we have ever had. However, once you get off the plane it is definitely worth it. I cried! Use Islands in the Sun...they were great. We visited Le Meridien in Bora Bora where Debi stayed...it had just opened. It was very beautiful there and I can understand the drawback about being on the motu. We took walks every night on the road and the beach which was so incredibly romantic. The sky at night looks like you can reach out and touch the stars! I could go on and on about French Polynesia. If you want more info E-mail me.

Well Brian, I agree with everything everyone has said. Stay out of Tahiti except to rest the day in and the day out. Bora Bora is the place. And....I was checking with my travel agent and she told me that Club Med has a deal of a 1 week stay, including air for $1499. Of course, you know how much air costs! Check it out.

had wonderful trip on raddisson Paul Gaughin...air included. didn't see much of papeete(not much to see, i think)

We just got back from an eight day honey moon on Moorea and BB. Our experience was similar to those above. We stayed on Parkroyal properties and they were great. BB is unbelievable and one should definately stay in an OWB, the horizon view is the best. On Moorea the beach bungalow was great and the OWB did not look much better as they are not completely over water.

On Moorea, we recommend the 4hr island safari. Also scuba diving with the stingrays. Blow off the snorkeling on the motu unless its part of a package.

Since I am a diver and found little posted about it, I will give you my take. The dives are expensive 50-60 per dive although it includes all your equipment. I lugged ours on the trip and wish I had not. I was not overly impressed with the dives on either island. The visiblity was not as good as I expected and we saw few large fish or much color in the reefs. You will se e more snorkeling.

That being said, do not miss the shark feeding on BB. It was a lot of fun and a good way to see the island. You also have a chance to play with the stingrays on that excursion.

Finally, a couple of responses to prior information I have seen posted. First, it is a very expensive place period. Take what you can to save on costs. We found the food to be very good. The fruit is unbelievable and the seafood is fresh. You also get a lot of rich french sauces.
This business about the people being unfriendly is simply not true. I found everyone at the Parkroyal to be very nice and eager to help. The locals were also friendly and would respond to a greeting, etc. I also disagee that BB is dirty and has too much poverty. While Moorea appeared to be cleaner and better kept, BB is what you might expect on a island in the Pacific. I have been to the Carribean and have seen much worse. But it is not America or Europe, and I think such comments should not determine whether you travel there or not. I think everyone should go because the beauty is unlike anything I have seen. Good luck and feel free to contact me directly