Ideas for Your Clients’ Pre/Post-Cruise Stays in Papeete, Tahiti

Clients heading to Papeete for a French Polynesia cruise often choose to spend a few days before or after their sailing at a beach resort. But there’s more to do in Tahiti than spending a few days in an overwater bungalow or lounging by the pool. And we’re not just talking about visiting the Mapuru a Paraita market (a must-do!) or the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands.

TMR’s Dori Saltzman recently spent three days post cruise in Papeete. Here are her suggestions for more active things to do during a pre- or post-cruise stay.

In all cases, advisors can work with Tahiti Tourisme to find the right choices for their clients. (Tahiti Tourisme provided the three excursions we experienced on the island of Tahiti, along with our accommodations.)

Snorkeling/Scuba diving
Let’s start with under the water. Clients staying at a beach resort can easily snorkel without having to go anywhere.

Clients heading to Papeete for a French Polynesia cruise often choose to spend a few days before or after their sailing at a beach resort. But there’s more to do in Tahiti than spending a few days in an overwater bungalow or lounging by the pool. And we’re not just talking about visiting the Mapuru a Paraita market (a must-do!) or the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands.

TMR’s Dori Saltzman recently spent three days post cruise in Papeete. Here are her suggestions for more active things to do during a pre- or post-cruise stay.

In all cases, advisors can work with Tahiti Tourisme to find the right choices for their clients. (Tahiti Tourisme provided the three excursions we experienced on the island of Tahiti, along with our accommodations.)

Snorkeling/Scuba diving
Let’s start with under the water. Clients staying at a beach resort can easily snorkel without having to go anywhere. But the best snorkeling on the island of Tahiti is over the reefs, and that can only be done with a boat ride.

One of the most popular spots, referred to as The Aquarium, and, again, only accessible by boat, is not far from the airport. It features two sunken ships and a small airplane, all purposely placed there as manmade reefs. The abundance of fish is spectacular.

We did our snorkeling excursion with the Eleuthera Tahiti Diving Center, which included transportation and offers both snorkeling and scuba trips. Our nearly three-hour tour included stops at two locations, though poor visibility at the first (due to a storm a few days prior) had us moving on to The Aquarium quicker than anticipated.

Other options include Tahiti by Boat, and ATAE Safari Ocean, which offers snorkeling with the aid of a mini scooter.

Sailing
There are a number of sailing options for your clients from the island of Tahiti. The most popular are whale and dolphin watching cruises (from July to November). Another option are evening sunset cruises, which are often aboard the same boats that do the snorkel and scuba excursions.

We did something completely different. Instead of a motor-powered boat, we hopped on a sailing canoe with Moana Explorer. The three hour or so tour, which can also be done in the morning, doesn’t go far, but guests will learn about Polynesian culture, how to tell time or direction by looking at the sun or stars, and even how to sail the boat if they’re interested.

It’s an enjoyable experience that also gives clients a feel for the Polynesian culture, one of those “immersive” activities that many tour operators claim to provide but never quite do.

Other water activities
Not as well-known as Hawaii for surfing, French Polynesia nevertheless has a large surf culture. Advisors with clients interested in learning surfing can find a number of surf schools offering lessons.

There are also a number of operators with which clients can take kite-surfing lessons, a sport that has blown up in Tahiti over the past year.

Inland and around the island
While Tahiti is best known for its water-based activities, the island has a stunning interior that not many guests think to visit. It’s an entirely different way of seeing Tahiti, and one most people don’t realize even exists as you really can’t see it unless you’re inside.

There are several options that can take guests further inland, including some that only make a short stop inside to see one or two of the hundreds of waterfalls.

We went with Marama Safari, which offers a variety of land- and water-based activities. Our tour was a half-day tour (about five hours) that took us into the volcanic crater that was formed with Tahiti over a million years ago. The crater is now covered in a thick tropical forest, dotted with waterfalls, and offers magnificent views of the entire island from the top. During the tour, we stopped at an ancient marae where our guide told us about Polynesia’s original religion. At another stop we had the opportunity to get out and swim in the river that runs through much of the forest. Our guide told us about the different flowers and fruits, and how they’re used in native medicines.

For those who want to stay closer to the water, but still want to see more of the island of Tahiti. A circumnavigation of the island or tour to Tahiti-iti (literally “little Tahiti), which is separated from the main island by a small isthmus, are also great options. There are a number of operators offering these tours including Tours By Locals, Unique Tahiti, Marama Safari, and others.

By foot
Another way to experience Tahiti’s inner tropical forests is with a guided hike. (It is not recommended to hike without a guide in Tahiti, unless it’s a short walk.)

Once again, Tahiti Tourisme can help advisors find the right guide for their clients’ needs. Two companies that offer this service are Vahio Hike and Marama Safari.