WHERE?
Rangiroa, French Polynesi
WHEN?
November 2020, for 3 nights / 4 days. I would recommend 3-4 nights indeed.
TIPS:
What to pack?
Passport
Wallet, papers etc
Earphones
Snorkeling equipment
Diving equipment (or you can rent it super easily, just bring your mask ideally). Don’t forget the diving journal!
Wetsuit (I am personally always cold) or a t-shirt to protect your skin while in the water
SwimsuitS
Sun glasses + cap
Ecofriendly sunscreen
Books + a journal to write all your memories
Pyjamas (+ sleeping mask + earplugs, up to you)
Camera, Gopro, underwater equipment
Waterproof bag
Light bags to take in your bag so you can pick up trash when going to the beach
Toiletries (ideally eco friendly toothpaste, shampoo and body wash!)
Mask + Gel (covid)
If you have a buoy to go swimming and mark your location, perfect
Monoi / coconut oil / Tamanu (best aftersun)
Anti mosquitoes
Flip flops
Sport outfit + shoes
Medicines if you take any
Super light clothes, it is super warm
Waterproof jacket, it also raise sometimes, and super useful after diving to get warm
One jacket/pullover for the evening or after diving
Beach towels
Water bottle (non plastic)
All the cables you need for your phone/camera etc
“Water shoes” to walk on dead reef, really practical!
Where to stay?
We were lucky to stay at a friend’s place but from what I have seen there are many hotel/pension/fare along the island.
Paradise on earth, with a terrace overlooking the Tiputa pass.
We just had lunch there but we could check the spot and the owners were really nice.
Definitely not my budget but we went there for the Tahitian show and the happy hours and I have to say the spot is precious and the staff adorable.
The show was impressive too!
I did not go but I met the owner and she was really nice so I expect her pension to be too! And from what I see on the website it looks like!
Where to eat?
The view from the restaurant, overlooking the Tiputa pass, is just paradise. You can see dolphins jumping especially at sunset.
The owners were really nice and the food freshly handmade. They have veggie options. I took the quiche and salad, for 1200CFP.
You can have access to wifi for 200CFP.
I loved the decoration, super chill. The terrace in on the lagoon and perfect to watch the sunset!
Just in front of Chez Lili if you want to change. On the lagoon and great for sunset.
What To do?
Go for the happy hours and the Tahitian show at Hotel Kia Ora. On Sundays and Wednesdays. They add a lot of snacks with the drinks 😉
Rent bikes (many accommodations have them for free) and do a tour of the island! In total it’s around 24km. Take a lot of water, protect yourself from the sun, There are some grocery shops along the way if you want to buy water or snacks. Some shooting too!
Go to the “reef islands” with Paati Excursions.
Leon (87792467) and his team ARE the bests.
Program:
- pick up at your accommodation
- go to the spot (1h boat so take sun protection and something warm)
- snorkel between islands
- snack/fruits break
- discover the emerged reefs (breathtaking)
- walk and swim to. the place where lunch is served
- The lunch was insane. I an vegetarian but they had options for me. The DO have the best coconut bread you will eat, insane. You can also have beers and fruits juices. The spot is paradise, with all the sharks just in front ;) We even created our own bags and hats. A super nice moment.
- go back to main island
- Tiputa Pass to see the dolphins jumping
- “the aquarium” for a last snorkel, while Leon was playing Guitar and his team singing
What a nice moment, highly recommended.
Diving! It is THE one thing to do seriously. See below.
Diving:
We went with Rangiroa Plongée, with Claudio (87776586) and his team.
We did 2 dives:
Early morning, outer current, to see the dolphins, and we did!! It was impressive, we just arrived in the water and max 5min after they came to us. So close, so adorable. Please be mindful and respectful and even if they come really close, do NOT touch them. One of my best diving moment in life.
Afternoon, inner current, to see the sharks. Indeed there was many sharks lying on the ground, below 30m. We saw many species of fishes. Nice dive.
Good to know:
If you have a diving card, you can have an extra 5kg for your luggages.
From Tahiti to Rangiroa both sides are beautiful from the plane. I would maybe recommend the left side though.
Take the pick up from airport, but I think all the accommodations include it.
On Sundays and Wednesdays, Hotel Kia Ora offers a Tahitian show AND Happy Hours. Highly recommended. They serve snacks with the cocktails ;)
To watch the sunset: Hotel Kia Ora, Snack Chez Lili, Plage Publique or the fishermen pontoon.
YES there are mosquitoes so take protections.
Rain is on and off on those islands, it never lasts long.
“Magasin TMT” is a supermarket and actually offers a variety of options!