#79507 - 03/16/09 04:56 PM
Bruno raiatea
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dingoboy
Junior Member
Registered: 03/16/09
Posts: 1
Loc: australia
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I have read good and equally bad reports about Bruno's tour of the lagoon in Raiatea.
We are arriving by cruise ship in April.
Some people on Cruise Critic have mentioned that he claims the tour is $120 USD yet when people book they get a nasty surprise when they turn up and he insists on another $20.
Are there other operators we could try - wanting to go snorkerling in the lagoon and then out to an island.
thanks
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#79575 - 03/18/09 10:54 AM
Re: Bruno raiatea
[Re: dingoboy]
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islandboyatheart
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/19/05
Posts: 1368
Loc: Florida
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Up until recently, Bruno's tour has been well-reviewed. It has always been one of the more pricey tours but he does work with the cruise ships. Dave's Tour is also well-reviewed. With whomever you choose, I would be careful to verify that the tour can be completed in time to return to the ship before it leaves anchorage. A number of the local tour operators conduct long tours that would not work with a cruise passenger's schedule.
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#80003 - 04/12/09 07:19 PM
Re: Bruno raiatea
[Re: islandboyatheart]
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joan k
Member
Registered: 06/17/03
Posts: 164
Loc: Kilauea, HI 96754
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I did Brunos tour last year it was great. I don't recall what I paid. If I am ever on Raiatea agin, I would go on the tour again. (I wasn't on a cruise)
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#82892 - 10/19/09 01:15 PM
Re: Bruno raiatea
[Re: joan k]
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manasvi10
Junior Member
Registered: 09/23/09
Posts: 10
Loc: USA
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I have booked Bruno's tour for upcoming Nov 09 Pacific Princess cruise after reading good reviews. However a person on first pacific princess cruise just reported that the tour is completely disappointing. She also reported that water in/close to coral gardens is ankle deep and coral is so close to water level that almost everybody dropped out of the tour. We booked this trip due to this drift snorkle...Can anybody tell us the current state of the coral gardens in raiatea?
Also some other people reported that Mata's tour is better or some other local tours which can be booked at the dock are less expensive and better...
Please help me with this...
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#82894 - 10/19/09 03:07 PM
Re: Bruno raiatea
[Re: manasvi10]
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DenverJoe
Expert Advisor
Registered: 09/10/02
Posts: 1849
Loc: Denver, Co.
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We did Bruno's tour last November. There were 4 of us and we did the private thing. The snorkel at the coral gardens is ok, the lunch at the little pension is good, but I wouldn't spend the money on it again. If you are going to other islands, I'm sure there will be better snorkeling for free.
_________________________
Nothing better than a Hinano in hand and toes in the sand.
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#82912 - 10/20/09 07:38 AM
Re: Bruno raiatea
[Re: DenverJoe]
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islandboyatheart
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/19/05
Posts: 1368
Loc: Florida
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I'm surprised you didn't like the snorkeling more Joe. The snorkeling is certainly not as good as you'll find in the Tuamotus but I still found the snorkeling in the Taha'a coral gardens to be pretty good. The coral is in very good shape especially considering the location is frequented by tours and that the gardens are located right next to Le Taha'a resort. However, that being said, the depth of the coral is indeed very shallow in quite a few spots and unless you stay in the center of the channel, it can get very tricky to maneuver in and out of the shallower spots. Although there is a moderate amount of current, I certainly wouldn't consider it anywhere near a true drift snorkel like you can experience in Rangiroa.
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#82914 - 10/20/09 08:11 AM
Re: Bruno raiatea
[Re: islandboyatheart]
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DenverJoe
Expert Advisor
Registered: 09/10/02
Posts: 1849
Loc: Denver, Co.
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Ryan, the trip was good, but I just wouldn't spend the 1k for the private thing again. As you said, the coral is pretty and there were fish and we saw an octopus. I just can't justify the price for the private tour when you can do the same for much less.
_________________________
Nothing better than a Hinano in hand and toes in the sand.
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#82945 - 10/22/09 09:27 AM
Re: Bruno raiatea
[Re: DenverJoe]
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islandboyatheart
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/19/05
Posts: 1368
Loc: Florida
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1K is far too expensive for my blood so I can certainly understand your disappointment. I was fortunate enough to be staying next door so I was able to jump in and snorkel the gardens whenever I wanted.
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