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Rangiroa, Manihi and the atolls

Rangiroa or Tahaa as second island choice?

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Author	Topic: Rangiroa or Tahaa as second island choice?
tetsujin Junior Member Posts: 8 Registered: Oct 2003	posted 10-12-2003 12:40 AM Hello. I'm new to these boards... been lurking for sometime now just pouring over the tons of good info. Been planning our honeymoon to FP for Jan '04 (first time there) and have decided on a 2 island stay. Either Rangiroa/Bora Bora or Tahaa/Bora Bora. We chose BB for all of the obvious reasons, but are having a much harder time deciding between Rangi or Tahaa. Each seems to have its own special charm. We would be staying in an OWB at Kia Ora Village or in a Tahaa OWB at the Pearl Beach, Tahaa. The price for a 3 night stay at either would be almost the same (~$200 more for Tahaa). The one thing equalizes the prices for the Tahaa option is that there is no direct flight from Rangi to Bora Bora on our check-out date. We'd have to fly back to PPT then on to BB, where as we would be able to fly directly from Raiatea to BB if we stayed in Tahaa. I've only head great things about both of these resorts, which makes the decision all that more difficult. Some of the things we've considered are: Change in scenery type from Rangi to BB. Tahaa and BB similar??? We'd be staying in an OWB at the Sofitel Motu in Bora Bora so the combination of activities we'd have available there, like fantastic snorkeling from our deck, could also factor in. Not sure if this matters all that much, but I'd have to say I'm a "foodie". When I travel, food is definitely consideration (hilite). With all I've read about the food in FP being hit or miss, I really don't have that high of expectatins, but a nice meal here and there would be great. Can anyone chime in with their thoughts? Thanks. IP: Logged
Microbman unregistered	posted 10-12-2003 08:05 PM Hi, IMHO, I think that Rangiroa would be the logical choice for you. You will be staying at a "high island", that being Bora Bora. Tahaa is not only another high island but you can see where you were (BB) from PB Tahaa. I think a change of pace in order. Rangi is in the Tuamotu's and so is a low lying atoll so the experience is much different. Rangi is world famous for diving and snorkeling. The Tuputa pass is reknown for having a pod of resident dolphins that you can see with each outgoing tide jumping and cavorting in the pass. Do the drift dive and you'll be amazed (from what everyone here says) at what you will see (sharks, rays, barracuda, etc.) below you as you drift by. See Cosetta and Pascal for this trip. Visit very remote isolated motu's for picknicking and snorkeling. The OVW bungs here are beautifull with lots and lots of hungry fish below them. Some isolated coral under and around bugs but not as good as Manihi. The food is delicious. Very French. Very saucy. Very fresh. Very delicious. The deserts alone are overwhelming. This place has lots of French and Italien clientel. You can even shop for pearls at great prices. One of the few places where you can get a good price with a few places to choose from. The water is gorgeous and the ambience at the resort is buisy and flashy. There is lots to do and you won't have time to do it all. Great entertainment too - better than most. If you go to the thread "Returned yesterday from PB Manihi and KOV" you can read more about our trip. Tahaa is from what I understand and see pics of, newer (although KOV is very updated with new bungs around) more upscale (KOV is already upscale) and much pricier for things like food and the bungs. I do understand that the bungs are the best in FP and hope to stay our next trip. And the beach bungs should win awards for biggest and best of show. This is lower key resort, more layed back and get some sun, enjoy pretty Tahaa and the lagoon, and a little snorkeling. Rangi has tons more to do. We plan on returning to Rangi our next trip and do stuff we could not get to. You could also stay at both KOV and KO Sauvage for the ultimate FP experience. I can send you a coupla pics if you like of Rangi. Soooooo many choices. Perhaps you could reschedule your departure date for your trip and arrange it so that the air is more compatable, or just go with it. I would not worry so about the air routes as where I was staying. Save your bucks and make Tahaa your next trip target, along with say Huahine. IP: Logged
Microbman unregistered	posted 10-12-2003 08:17 PM I think I may have overstated KOV as being too buisy. There is no such thing as really buisy anywere is FP. This place is buisier than we have seen any other resort in FP, everything being relative. It is also not too flashy or upscale. There is lots to do so you see people come and go more than other places. The grounds are nice and the OVW bungs are large with terrific beautiful decks. We laid outside and night for hours watching the stars and moon glide over the lagoon. The insides are very well laid out and roomy, with three separate rooms inside (4 counting the loo). Humongous shower. Very pretty new pool, if you like pools oceanfront. All the beach front bungs have outside jacuzzi's. Tahaa is even bigger and better tho. IP: Logged
Microbman unregistered	posted 10-12-2003 08:19 PM Last post, I promise. No tubs at KOV if that matters. It didn't at all for us. Sit in the tub at home and enjoy the lagoon from the deck. IP: Logged
Return in 2003 Member Posts: 348 Registered: Nov 2002	posted 10-13-2003 07:30 AM I agree with Microbman that Rangiroa wopuld be a good choice as an island different from BB. The only downside to Rangiroa is that there is a couple nmore hours travelling to Rangiroa from BB, but that is the most I can conme up with as a negative.. IP: Logged
KP Cali unregistered	posted 10-13-2003 08:32 AM I haven't been to Rangiroa, so maybe my opinion is one-sided. We did ten days recently at Tahaa beach bungalow and Sofitel Motu OWB. I've traveled extensively over the years and never had a better vacation. In fact, the Tahaa PB is in the all-time top 5 on my list. We had our best meal of the 10 days on Tahaa at Chez Louise and weren't dissappointed in the food at the resort in the slightest (very average, which is good for FP). Don't bother with the food at the Sofitel Motu. Continental breakfast or cheese burgers for lunch (apparently) are ok. Give dinner a pass. Trust me. IP: Logged
Return in 2003 Member Posts: 348 Registered: Nov 2002	posted 10-13-2003 08:49 AM KP CAli: Your opinion is vakluable. We have not been to Tahaa and plan to go next year. I, as doed Microbman, recommend Rangiroa over Tahaa for the simple reason that it is very different from BB, where tetsujin is going. Bottom lineis, you won't go wrong with Rangiroa, Tahaa, Huahine, Moorea etc. If you are going to FP, you win! IP: Logged
Return in 2003 Member Posts: 348 Registered: Nov 2002	posted 10-13-2003 08:51 AM P.S. We have been to Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Rangiroa and Huahine and loved all of them. each has its pluses, and no real negatives to speak of(IMO). IP: Logged
yllams unregistered	posted 10-13-2003 11:27 AM If you aren't into Scuba then going to Tahaa instead of Rangi maybe the better option due to saving time. As for not a lot to do don't forget from Tahaa you can explore Tahaa and Raiatea both so there is plenty to do and the resort itself can't be beat in FP. IP: Logged
tetsujin Junior Member Posts: 8 Registered: Oct 2003	posted 10-13-2003 11:42 AM Thanks for everyone's input! Microbe/2003 - here is a questions for you. What do you think about going to Bora Bora first then Rangi after. I had planned on Rangi first because my perception was that Rangi is the more "laid-back" and we wanted some total chill time post wedding craziness, then on to BB for a bit more activities. From your post it seems like this may be the opposite. I think that is also the allure of Tahaa, just plain serenity. KP - Thanks for the food tip at the Sofitel on BB. Any suggs for a decent meal in BB? Is the vererable Bloody Mary's worth a stop? IP: Logged
tetsujin Junior Member Posts: 8 Registered: Oct 2003	posted 10-13-2003 11:57 AM Would weather in either Rangi or Tahaa play any significant role? The reason I ask is a friend of mine who has been to BB, Rangi and Mahihi suggested that because of Rangi's flatness, the chance of good weather is better. Any thoughts? Thanks again. IP: Logged
Microbman unregistered	posted 10-13-2003 12:52 PM tetsujin- ___The weather has a better chance of being better at a low island as there is no central mountain or high elevation for the tropical moisture to condense causing potential increase in cloud formation and also showers. ___You can chill no matter where you are in FP, and Tahaa is a terrific place to do that and one of the best in the world. It also does have the islands of Tahaa and Raiatea to explore (not much on Tahaa tho), but compaired to the experiences that Rangi has to offer, this is no brainer for me. Let me tell you, the OVW bungs at KOV or a visit to the Sauvage will effortlessly shut out the rest of the planet and you will be alone with your loved one. If you want to venture out there are tons of different things to do all from one location, that you will not find on any of the other islands. There are the resident dolphins (which are a 20 minute walk or 5 min by scooter away), Tiputa and Avatoru passes, the Sauvage, the Blue Lagoon excursion, even some local shopping. True the other islands offer some of these, but Rangi has it all right in front of you. The food is great too. Go to the Sofitel and snorkel and chill. Save all the exciting stuff for Rangiroa at the KOV. Even the name is cool. Save your $$$ for Tahaa and something great to look forward to for your next trip. IP: Logged
Return in 2003 Member Posts: 348 Registered: Nov 2002	posted 10-14-2003 09:20 AM IMO Rangiroa is more laid-back, due in part to less activities. IP: Logged
KP Cali unregistered	posted 10-14-2003 11:51 AM There are all kinds of opinions about Blood Mary's on this site, most of which are good. We found Bloody Mary's to be excellent, having had lunch one day and dinner one night. Nothing spectacular, just good food and a relaxed atmosphere. I would definitely have substituted it for the meals we ate at the Motu. Top Dive is also worth a visit, as are a few other restaurants that people rave about on this site. We didn't get out to many of them but, did eat at Top Dive and it was excellent. If you are planning to see a show while in Bora Bora, the Sofitel Marara offers one on Saturday nights. The food was buffet style and very average. Not bad, just very average. Throw the show into the mix and you have yourself a fun time. Simply put, food in Tahiti is very expensive and very average. For the most part, you are going to find better food at just about any good coastal fish house in California. Don't have inflated hopes for dining experiences in FP. IP: Logged
Microbman unregistered	posted 10-14-2003 12:45 PM In sorta an extreme sense comparing BB with Rangi is like Hawaii and FP. They all share similar basic qualities, you know, South Pacific atmosphere, gorgeous water, the fish, the resorts and the like. BUT...BB has many many more resorts= many many more people. More dining choices. More polution. Glitzier. A lot of the fish have moved on or have been caught or just don't like being bothered all the time with jet skis. The tours are canned. The diving not as good as it used to be. Not as much coral. Generally busier (unlike the rest of FP with the exception of Papetee and Moorea). Rangi has one big resort and a few pensions. The fish concentration is one of the highest in the world. You will see more varieties more easily. More coral. The atoll is like 18 miles wide so tons more options for exploring. Way way more diving. Superb snorkeling. Fewer excursion options perhaps (they have the same excursions that BB has without the 4x4s which are rutting out that very small island) but the one's that are available are less super glitz and more naturalistic. There are way more sharks, the dolpins, the secluded motu picnics, the passes, can't think of anything BB has that Rangi couldn't accomodate. There are diff food choices, but the poisson at meals couldn't be fresher. Do you know the fish consumed on BB is from Rangi and elsewhere in the Tuamotu's. And the fish and most all of the food at the KOV was excellent. They also have fantastic grilled fish. Most of what you'll experience there is a little lower key (except the diving is hugely better) and more authentic. Yeh, and fewer crowds than BB - and isn't that one of the big reasons we go on vacation anyway?! IP: Logged
Kristy Member Posts: 475 Registered: Oct 2001	posted 10-14-2003 01:11 PM Hey John! I totally agree with you regarding Bora Bora and Rangiroa. I doubt that I'll ever return to Bora Bora but I will definitely return to Rangi. The colors of the water IMHO are equal to Bora Bora's and the snorkeling far surpassed the snorkeling on Bora Bora. We loved the Village and the Sauvage is totally awesome. I'm just sorry we missed you and your wife when we were there. IP: Logged
KI unregistered	posted 10-19-2003 06:57 AM tesujin, Air Tahiti flies from Rangi to BB only once a week, so BB to Rangi is common. And BB is no doubt "the island of wedding craziness". Do you want to relax once at the peaceful island and go back to the craziness? I would say: Just skip BB! (unless your dreaming partner persists in the commercial island). IP: Logged
GT Member Posts: 281 Registered: Dec 2001	posted 10-19-2003 02:50 PM KI = Air Tahiti has flights everyday from Rangi to Bora so you may have some misinformation. There is a change of plane in Papeete and a stopover between Bora, so people may opt for a change in island sequence but it is duable. As far as island combinations, for the more adventurous, IMO Rangi would be good as Bora & Taha'a may be too similar. IP: Logged
KI unregistered	posted 10-20-2003 04:22 PM GT, Thanks for the follow up information. Of course I mentioned about the direct flight from RGI to BOB, and did not even think about the double return trip from PPT. By the way, is your route possible even with Bora-Tuamotu Pass? IP: Logged
nunyacorp Junior Member Posts: 11 Registered: Sep 2003	posted 10-30-2003 02:43 PM in ref to pb taha'a,,, the food and service there was the best we had in fp, the actual food/bev manager was our waiter on more than one occasion.. it is a good sign when he is there for every meal.. the only drawback to pb taha'a was the water, the owb are basically built on sand, no coral, no fish to feed.. they do have a coral garden by the pool that was ok,,just like to snorkel off the deck... by far the best overall hotel we stayed in... IP: Logged

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