I am terrified of small planes and was wondering if there is a ferry from Tahiti to Bora Bora or some of the other islands surrounding it. If so, how long is the ferry ride, thanks? Plus, does anyone have any or know of sites where I can find pictures of French Polynesia?

Hi Lucy, <BR>Check out www.tahiti-explorer.com they have a travel forum, and also a section on transportation. If there is no ferry, you could do a cruise of the area instead or pay a local to charter their boat for the trip. I've no idea how far it is though. <BR>Good luck. Kay

There is (was?) a high-speed catamaran that runs between Tahiti and Bora Bora (with stops at Huahine and Taha'a. Its called the Ono Ono, but I hear that it is currently out of service. Don't know whan it will start up again. Very comfortable, but you need a strong stomach to handle the motion through the big open-ocean swells. Here's a few photos taken by me and others: <BR> <BR>http://www.justlikebeingthere.com/in/French Polynesia

The Ono Ono now only serves Tahiti - Moorea. There is also the Vaeanu. It operates a few days a week. I believe it's about an 8 hour trip. Most tour books offer information. Regarding the airplanes, they are not really that small. The planes carry about 40 people and Air Tahiti has a very good safety record. You can't beat seeing the islands from the air.

Perfect- 40 seater is fine. Does anyone know about how long the flight would be from Chicago to Bora Bora total?

Hi! <BR> <BR>I have not been there yet, but am booked to go in April. According to my itinerary, Tahiti is about 8 1/2 hours from Los Angeles. The flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora is approximatley 1 hour. I also dislike small planes...but 40 isn't to bad!!! <BR>

The Air Tahiti plane used between Tahiti and Bora Bora is some kind of highwing twin turboprop with approximately 40 seats. They use same size planes between Moorea and Tahiti. We, however, ended up flying on a 10 seater between Tahiti and Moorea on Air Moorea even though our ticket said Air Tahiti. I never understood this arrangement. I don't know if most folks do Tahiti-Moorea on a ferry or a high speed cruiser or Air Tahiti actually flies 40 seaters between these two islands (they are so close, I am not sure if it is practical to fly a 40 seater between them.) Having done Tahiti-Moorea on a boat before and got sick as a dog, I insisted on flying the next time.

Bora Bora is a long way from Tahiti or Moorea. I would not choose the ferry for that route. My wife also hates small planes. I convinced her to take the plane and she didn't have a problem. The planes had a single aisle with 2 seats on each side, about 15 rows. <BR>If you are wondering when you will get to your hotel, add another hour after you land in Bora Bora to take a ferry to the main island (from the airport motu), then a bus/car to your hotel (unless you are staying on at a motu hotel like BB Lagoon Resort). <BR>websites (most are travel agents, but they have pictures): <BR>airtahitinui-usa.com (great music too!) <BR>www.blackpearls.net/borabora.html <BR>www.boraboraisland.com/index.html <BR>www.gototahiti.com/ <BR>www.tahitivacations.net/ <BR>www.borabora.com <BR>http://www.virtualtourist.com/Austra...nch_Polynesia/

We took the catamaron from Tahiti too Moorea- it took 1/2 hour and was great. We flew back from Moorea to Tahiti and it took 5 minutes. The planes are big and very nice. It was a package deal so I actually prefered the flight although the ferry ride was beautful-do both, it's fun!

Have a great holiday Lucy. <BR>Here is the address for my photo album of our holiday in FP. Just copy and paste http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...3732&a=1767095 <BR> <BR>Peg.