#70044 - 02/04/08 06:17 PM
Snorkling at Club Bali Hai
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MKETravlers2
Junior Member
Registered: 02/03/08
Posts: 14
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
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My fiancée and I are planning on staying at Club Bali Hai in an over water bungalow. Has anyone done any snorkeling around that area? If so, is worth my time to go snorkeling there? If not where is a better place to stay (with a comparable price) with better snorkeling?
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#70046 - 02/04/08 06:45 PM
Re: Snorkling at Club Bali Hai
[Re: MKETravlers2]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2376
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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I have stayed there a few times but have never snorkeled there. Because it is in the bay and not out on the lagoon, the water is not the crystal clear turquoise water you see in all the photos. If it has rained at all recently near your trip, it can be pretty cloudy and brownish, as many little rivers and creeks all run into the bay, bringing sediment with them. If it rains a whole lot, it can be downright muddy looking.
I have heard that there is a pretty good snorkeling spot about 20-30 feet off shore of bungalow #40, but again, I have not tried it. Club Bali Hai does offer an hour long snorkeling trip 2 or 3 times a week that take you out to the lagoon out past the Pearl. We have done that several times. It only costs about $10 (might be closer to $12 with the current exhange rate). It's a fun little snorkel trip. You might even be able to get it thrown in for free if your TA can work something out with Club Bali Hai. I've had it included in my stay for free a couple times.
We have also gone on the Shark/Ray Feeding Motu Picnic trip several times and that is a blast. The snorkeling is great out at the Motu.
Edited by Patti. (02/04/08 06:46 PM)
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#70048 - 02/04/08 06:56 PM
Re: Snorkling at Club Bali Hai
[Re: Patti.]
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MKETravlers2
Junior Member
Registered: 02/03/08
Posts: 14
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
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Thanks Patti,
Your feedback was really helpful. Would you suggest staying in one of the overwater bungalow's there or would it be better to stay in a cheaper hotel near the lagoon?
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#70050 - 02/04/08 07:18 PM
Re: Snorkling at Club Bali Hai
[Re: MKETravlers2]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2376
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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Well, the problem is there really aren't too many cheaper "hotels" near the lagoon. And there are none that have over water bungalows. Some of the other ones out on the lagoon would be Les Tipaniers, Hibiscus, and some pensions....Barbi (one of our resident experts on Moorea) highly recommends Fare Miti.
It really depends on what kind of accomodations you want and what your expectation levels are. If you have 4 or 5 star expectations and demands, then none of these hotels will fit the bill for you. If you are after a clean, comfortable, fun, friendly place to stay, then all would work well for you.
Edited by Patti. (02/04/08 07:22 PM)
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#70061 - 02/05/08 05:07 AM
Re: Snorkling at Club Bali Hai
[Re: Patti.]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2302
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Patti's right about that. Club Bali Hai is the only lower-priced resort with overwater bungalows that I can think of.
We stayed in a beach bungalow (12500 XPF/night) at Pension Motu Iti. It's right beside Aito's restaurant (and has its own very good restaurant) and just a few minutes down the road from the Sheraton. The snorkelling in that area is truly excellent if that's what your priority is. We walked over to Club Bali Hai when we were there (it's a real hike!) and I loved that place, the views, and its nearness to Paopao for food, etc. But it isn't a snorkelling destination if that's what's important to you.
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#70065 - 02/05/08 07:14 AM
Re: Snorkling at Club Bali Hai
[Re: Old Wife]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2376
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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Location wise, Club Bali Hai has it all. Near 3 markets, and several restaraunts. Has cooking facilities in the room (to help with food costs). Has the MOST spectaular view of the island of ANY hotel on Moorea. Reasonable price restaraunt on the premisis, The Blue Pineapple, only open for breakfast and lunch though. Very friendly staff. Overwaters at a very reasonable price. And, did I mention the VIEW??!!
But there is a tradeoff....the accomdations are 2 star at best. This is NOT an upscale place by any stretch of the imagination. You are not going to have high tread count sheets on your bed or a pillow menu here. The woods are not Balinese or imported teak. The furniture is a bit funky...kinda retro polynesian meets Motel 6. I prefer to call it "rustic". :-) And the water is not that crystal clear sprarkling water you want to see in French Polynesia. Although that kind of water is just a short trip away....it's just not going to be right off your bungalow.
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#70081 - 02/05/08 07:12 PM
Re: Snorkling at Club Bali Hai
[Re: Patti.]
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MKETravlers2
Junior Member
Registered: 02/03/08
Posts: 14
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
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Thanks for the advice. My fiancee and I don't really care about staying at 5 star resorts as we are kind of adventourus people. We mainly just like good views and nice people and it sounds like club bali hai has both of those.
From my limited research, it sounds like Bora Bora is better known for snorkling and Moorea is better known for the land activities. Is that true?
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#70083 - 02/05/08 07:30 PM
Re: Snorkling at Club Bali Hai
[Re: MKETravlers2]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2376
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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Yes, that is exactly right. As I like to put it, Bora Bora is all about the lagoon and Moorea is all about the island. That's not to say Moorea doesn't have a very nice lagoon, it certainly does (but quite as spectacular as Bora Bora's) or that Bora Bora doesn't have a nice island (it does and it's is quite stunning), but not near as interesting as Moorea's interior.
If you're not 5 star resort types, then Club Bali Hai will work quite nicely for you. I just like to warn people. It is certainly not for everyone. Personally I love it there. In fact, I will be going for the 3rd time next week. There have been some CBH horror trip reports over the years. People were expecting the Ritz and thought they'd landed at a Motel 6. Actually some of those reports are rather humorous to read.
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#71575 - 03/31/08 10:07 AM
Re: Snorkling at Club Bali Hai
[Re: Patti.]
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trip1
Member
Registered: 08/05/07
Posts: 94
Loc: Alexandria, VA, 22304
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I love Club Bali Hai and I go swiming from there to the lagoon. You have to observe where the tide is going so it would be easier to come back.
There is a very basic hotel that has a marvelous snorkeling and it is called Kaveka. This is their web page: http://www.hotelkaveka.com/ratesen.html
As I said the hotel Kakeva is very basic. Do not expect anything but the minimum. It is not a 5 star hotel!
They have a restaurant next door and also they have Internet service. If you dive, there is an excellent dive store nearby called TopDive.
Wherever you decide to go, have a great time!
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#71699 - 04/03/08 06:35 PM
Re: Snorkling at Club Bali Hai
[Re: trip1]
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Submarine
Expert Advisor
Registered: 01/03/03
Posts: 1019
Loc: Gilbert, Arizona, USA
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I stayed at CBH in 2005 and snorkelling off the first bungalow next to the Blue Pineapple wasn't bad. Two large puffers hung out with me all day.
Accomodations aren't ritzy but I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. Tip: leave your bungalow unlocked and the 'key' in the electrical to keep the a/c on if you get overheated like me. Of course, take any valuables with you as there was no in-room safe. Travel light!
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