voyager61

We're planning a 25th anniversary trip to a tropical destination with off-beach snorkeling and looking or anyone who has been to both St. John and French Polynesia/Tahiti, could you weigh in on how the snorkeling compares? We're looking for very good to great accommodations and great food, also. We've been to the Caribbean, but not in 20 years. Never been to St. John, though. Recent snorkeling has been in Maui (Kapalua Bay)/Molokini and on the Mayan Riviera (good snorkeling but not that thrilled with travel in Mexico).

We live equidistant from Caribbean or FP, so that is not an issue. Thanks for your help!

lenlu

I've been to St. John and it is beautiful and I've been to the Cook Islands (same water as the S. Pacific) and it blows away any Caribbean snorkeling/diving including Grand Cayman. My vote is for the S. Pacific hands down. You can walk off the beach and see incredible stuff. Check out Aitutaki which is an out island. There's a great resort and the water is more than amazing.

doug_stallings

No competition in snorkeling. If you choose the right island, the South Pacific is miles better.

voyager61

Wow, those are some very definitive responses. I appreciate the recommendations on Cook Islands and Aitutaki. Doug, you say if you choose the right island...which island(s) would you consider the right ones? Moorea? Bora Bora?

Thanks again!

Knowing

St John cannot begin to compare to the French Polynesia. Bora Bora has a huge coral reef and the most lovely warm waters I've ever been in. The color of the water is amazing - it goes from that deep blue to green and is absolutley mesmerizing! The snorkeling I did there was the most exciting I've ever done on any vacation!
Bora Bora also has quality accomodations. There are not a lot of restaurants in Bora Bora, but by far my favorite is also the most famous. Bloody Mary's. Good service and decent food (although you don't go to the FP for it's food - at least imo!) Outside they have big boards with the names on all of the famous people who have eaten there, i.e. Mike Love, Keanu Reeves, Rod Carew, David Copperfield, Meg Ryan, Charlie Sheen, Commander Cody, etc.
I also loved Moorea, but Bora Bora would be my choice for the snorkeling.

StanKase

Having been to Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and St. John as well I would agree with one caveat. The off-the-beach snorkeling is better but did not blow us away. Daily outings on private sails or small groups trips took us to great spots off Bora Bora more so than Tahiti though we where taken to 2 spots between Tahiti and Moorea that were very good and better than anything you can find around St. John. though it has been 6 years we were not thrilled with the restaurants but nor has Caneel been dishing out great food latly from what I read on the Forum. In the 1980'-1990's most evening meals bordered on gourmet at Caneel, in our opinion. I hear the Cook Islands best Bora Bora but it makes the trip more complicated.

Barbara1

I live in the Caribbean and have traveled to french Polynesia.
french Polynesia wins hands down.
Bora Bora and that lagoon surrounded by that coral reef is simply awesome.
stay in one of the hotels with rooms out on the water, like the Sheraton Bora Bora Nui.
absolutely gorgeous.