#63653 - 06/04/07 01:47 AM
Best pearl farm to visit?
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whereisdave
Junior Member
Registered: 06/04/07
Posts: 11
Loc: Hawaii
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Between Bora Bora to Tahiti, will be stopping in Tahaa by air on a Saturday from 10:45am to 4:50pm.
What are some unique things to do there? Stopping mainly to get a more authentic pearl farm visit- what is the best one and the logistics to visit?
Thanks very much.
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#63798 - 06/06/07 07:24 AM
Re: Best pearl farm to visit?
[Re: whereisdave]
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rodjune
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/08/03
Posts: 1726
Loc: Kalama Valley, HI
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Taha'a is primarily known for their large vanilla production, and it might be worth seeing and buying some in bulk for gifts to take home. My guess is that some of the organized lagoon excursions will probably make a visit to one of the pearl farms. Unfortunately, I don't know which is worth seeing. I'll ask one of my friends who has been to Taha'a if they stopped at a pearl farm, and if so, which one.
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#63800 - 06/06/07 09:21 AM
Re: Best pearl farm to visit?
[Re: rodjune]
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islandboyatheart
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/19/05
Posts: 1376
Loc: Florida
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I don't know that any pearl farm you might visit in the Society islands is what you would call "an authentic pearl farm". They do have a few tourist pearl farms that give you a brief description of how pearls are farmed and have a small shop where you can buy pearl jewelry but I believe all of the truly authentic pearl farms are located in the Tuamotus and on Mangareva in the Gambiers.
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#63802 - 06/06/07 10:54 AM
Re: Best pearl farm to visit?
[Re: islandboyatheart]
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Travcarib
Member
Registered: 03/13/07
Posts: 119
Loc: Washington DC
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We are heading to Tahaa in about a month. I asked around about the pearl farm visits and the feedback I got from the resort was that the morning island tour (includes vanilla plantation tour and black pearl farm tour) is the better option and offers more variety if you are looking to purchase some loose pearls. They didn't give the names of the pearl farms though so not sure if that helps....
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#63864 - 06/08/07 08:42 AM
Re: Best pearl farm to visit?
[Re: Travcarib]
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Justine2
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/12/07
Posts: 1911
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
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Island Boy,
You're correct- the main crop comes from Manihi and Ahe, with Mangareva running a close second. Fakarava and Rangi do produce, but not with the same output. Rangi is too big so the oyster plankton is not as dense and Fakarava hasn't developed enough. Ta'haa does have farms. Think of it as a hobby farm vs. agribusiness.
Tahiti Pearl Market in Papeete is reputed to have great prices if you don't see something you love. Papeete's prices are comperable to the actual farms.
Edited by Justine2 (06/08/07 08:44 AM)
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#64490 - 06/27/07 09:14 AM
Re: Best pearl farm to visit?
[Re: Justine2]
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jchip
Member
Registered: 12/20/06
Posts: 98
Loc: Michigan
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WIDave - We visited and shopped at the Champon family pearl farm while in Taha'a, as part of a half-day motu picnic excursion with Dave's Tours (arranged by LeTaha'a desk). We enjoyed it, and although I guess it was not "authentic" we learned a lot and found some quality pearls at decent prices.. Monique there was very nice to deal with.
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#65171 - 07/15/07 10:59 AM
Re: Best pearl farm to visit?
[Re: jchip]
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whereisdave
Junior Member
Registered: 06/04/07
Posts: 11
Loc: Hawaii
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Hello everyone- thanks for the feedback. We did a stop by Champon and it was OK, really just a brief explanation of the process and then a look at some pearls. Yes, hobby farm is a good way to look at it.
I retrospect would have liked the time to stop by Tahiti Pearl Market and since we were at Tiki Village I wonder what there Pearl Farm demo was like? I assumed it was just a tourist show, but in the end may have been more educational than the hobby farms.
I must say though we wouldn't have gone by Tahaa otherwise, and I found the area by the coral garden/resort to be stunning. Also the best shallow water snorkeling I have ever done. A full day there would have been worthwhile.
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