French Polynesia Travel Forum

How are conditions for diving in September or October?
What are good islands for diving?

Do you know if Air Tahiti still has the carte famille to get around to the other islands without breaking the bank? Is this limited to Tahiti residents, or can others (EU passport holders) get those, too? We have two kids, 5 and 10, so if those cards still exist and are available to us, that would be great!
(We could not find any info on the Air Tahiti web site)

We've read alsewhere to book ahead, however, since we read that the carte famille must be obtained in person, we wonder how well this will work?

We'll appreciate any suiggestions and pointers for ino, and in particular anybody who has had experience in travellin in PF with kids!

The best place for diving,as far as I know, is Rangiroa, however I ahve not been at that particualr island myself.

When I was last Septmebr on Bora Bora and Huahine, it was quite cool and windy weather. Beacuse of wind seas were rough, with number of strong underwater currents, so it was virtually impossible to go snorekelling in most places. In October it should be less windy. All that mean that you will need to choose more carefully where to dive , and the choice can be limited. Rangiroa lagoon is soo large, that I suppose it should not be a problem.I suggest you inquire the hotel where you suppose to stay at Rangirao, they definitely hav eon site or associated dive club, who will help you with exact info what you can see in Sep/Oct.

Carte famille, as I undrestood, is one of the traiffs which you can book only when are you present. Ask directly Air Tahiti what is the tariff, conditions and whether there are limited seats on flights for this tariffs. Air Thaitio usually make comprehesive answers by email, but within 72hrs. You can as well call them if you are not in the opposite time zone.

Another option if you are going to visit few isalnds, this are various air passes, that can be booked in davnce, howoever no discount for children - see www.airthaiti.aero website. You can book these passes by request, they will repsond within 72hrs and you'll nee dto fax a credit card. With Air Thaiti change of flights is free if they have seats.

But Air Tahiti air tickets normally shoudl not break your bank, what is always expensive and very far from teh value for teh price, irregarding if that is most luxury hotel or just pansion, is price of accomodation. I suugest you budget well before you go, and you shoudl not expect conjsistent acceptable quality at anything except the colour of water! Indeed :D - it's a French Polynesia.

In observed a lot of people tarvel with cjodren to FP, significant part if them even with toddlers. So you obviolsly need to chose safe shallow lagoon near the hotel to keep children out of risk - if thatš teh ocean side it is apaprently too rough, but deep lagoons can hide underwater currents.

In May I've been to FP again, one of the place was Maupiti Is. - it has incredible shallow lagoon, slightly above the knees, so you can eiether swim or walk. Lagoon lasts for 3-4km , around one part of island and up to the reef and some motus - this is the part lagoon in front of Auira motu. You can meet number of stingrays when walking in teh lagoon and it so pleasant, surrela nd shining, on top of that virtually noone around. We stayed at pansion on that motu, it was really bad. From Auira motu to main Maupiti is. it was just to cross lagoon in 15-20 min., where you can find very nice Tereia beach. all guides said there is nothing on that beach, but in reality there are few brand new cootages, obviolsuly for rent ( and in FP it always comes with a food plan), and , unbelievable feature, that the sand on the beach was really cleaned a twice day and maintaned with a rake- never seen something like ever in FP.There was nothinh to clean, but raking is relaly good sign for that pansion.It is not mentioned in any online guides, so you need to call or contact yourslef a Tahiti tourism office and ask them to investigate what that if you wish to stay there. We paid 150 EUR half board for the mentioned pansion per day per room, so the that barnd new one on Teraia beach should be more. At Maupiti lagoon there are number of places where to get a good snorekelling, but this probably is not the best place for diving.