The country of French Polynesia was given a free trip to by Tahiti Tourism, as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The author's opinions were not subject to review by any external entities.
After having to cancel and rebook a trip to French Polynesia several times during the Pandemic, I finally got to go on what turned out to be a great vacation there.
During my trip to French Polynesia last fall, I enjoyed eight activities that I plan on returning to.
Some of the highlights of a day out on the water in Rangiroa include jumping dolphins, circling sharks, a variety of stingrays, and an explosion of color from schools of tropical fish It's one of the largest atolls in the world and the only carrier that flies the route is Air Tahiti.
I was very excited when I arrived on the island because I got to fly on one of Air Tahiti's small planes and land at the airport.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
The resport has some overwater bungalows, but I stayed in a beach bungalow with a private pool.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
A group of people went out on the water with a tour company called Kaimana Excursions. The Blue Lagoon is a sort of lagoon within a lagoon surrounded by small islands and coral reefs.
I had lunch on a small island after swimming and snorkeling with sharks and rays. Around $82 is the starting point for a full-day trip.
We were picked up by the tour guides on a small boat. We looked for animals along the way to the Blue Lagoon. It was raining when we got to the Blue Lagoon, but by the time we got there the rain had stopped, and we were able to snorkel with sharks and rays.
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The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
We saw a lot of sharks, including blacktip and grey reef sharks, as well as a lemon shark. It was a treat to see a lemon shark from my spot on the water.
We got to eat lunch from our boat. The mini-island was surrounded by animals. A home-cooked Polynesian meal was set up for us, as well as a lot of interesting local birds. There were some raw fish dishes and coconut bread in the meal.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
Toward the end of the day was the best part.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
You can follow the dolphins in a boat and watch them from the shore in the evening. I had the chance to try both experiences on this trip. I've never seen dolphins jumping out of the water to find food.
The experience of seeing whales up close underwater was one of the most amazing I have had.
A group of people were picked up by a speedboat at the hotel dock after a night at the hotel. We couldn't find whales for three hours. They would disappear whenever we jumped in the water with them.
We got lucky on our final run. Our boat was close enough to allow us to jump in the water and swim after the big guys. The close encounter with the giants under the waves will stay with me the rest of my life. We were able to swim with a mother and her calf, as well as an adult male who was trying to court her. The experience was mind blowing.
Booking the island on points and miles is related.
It wasn't all about the big animals. A stingray that I was able to photograph was one of the sea creatures we saw.
A three-hour tour like the one I took costs $110 per person, but is worth it.
I took a local food tour with Heimata Hall, who started the Moorea Food Adventures tour just before the Pandemic started, but is still open for business.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
He took me on a tour of the island after picking me up at the ferry dock. Hall was unable to take me to the many food trucks that were open that day because it was raining. We had lunch at Hall's home in the hills of Moorea after stopping at a few mom-and-pop shops. It wasn't quite the food truck tour we were hoping for, but I was treated well by the locals, which was even better.
Air Polynesia to French Polynesia is a premium economy flight.
There is more to see and do in Papeete than just the airport. There are several shopping centers, a busy downtown area, and several luxury resorts. I booked a tour with a local guide. After a tour of local sites, including the Port of Papeete, we were dropped off at a shopping area. You can take a half-day tour of downtown Papeete.
I was taken to the March Papeete, or Papeete Market, for a bit of Polynesian culture.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
The market sells a wide range of items. It is the place to buy gifts for the home, including jewelry, pearls, beads and T-shirts. Some hidden gems you aren't likely to find on your own can be found by pointing out what the locals think is the best shop in the area. If you want to explore on your own, you can probably do it without a guide.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
I left the city and went to see some of the other parts of the island. The tour costs around $50 per person. On the way to Papenoo on the island's east coast, I was given a history lesson by my guide. There are several waterfalls in the Papenoo Valley along the way. Some of the traditional gathering places that the Polynesians call "marae" are still being used today. The sites in French Polynesia were built in the 1000 A.D. time period.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
A homemade lunch of sandwiches and fruit was brought with us. The only company in the forest was a group of stray cats. There was a great day in Polynesia.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
One of the most exciting ways to see the island is from an ATV.
I joined a group excursion with a tour company to see the largest town in the area. The outing cost $279 and was a blast.
We caught a glimpse of the town's day-to-day activities when we were in Vaitape. We followed our guide down a two-lane highway for several miles until we reached a path that would take us up Mount Popoti.
Which resort is better for you?
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
After about 40 minutes of walking the muddy trail, we reached the top of Mount Popoti, where we could see the lagoon from the top of the mountain.
We stopped at a local farm to pick up some fruit and buy some things to take home.
I decided to check out the city center after waiting for my hotel's water shuttle to get me to Vaitape. It's small, with just a few blocks of the main downtown area, but it has a lot of shops selling everything from pearls to clothing, so it's easy to pass the time.
Some of the stalls at the market include gorgeous local flowers and colorful wraps.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
Which island paradise is best for you?
If you're traveling with a partner, in a group, or on your own, you should book at least one excursion to explore the lagoon.
Even though the six-hour boat tour I chose was operated by a tour company that specializes in romantic tours for twosomes, I had a great time. It was a perfect day out on the water for $220 per person.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
Several couples and I were picked up in a boat driven by a guide who was also entertaining. As we sailed around the lagoon, we listened to soothing tunes from the guide's Tahitian version of a ukulele. The tone for the day was set by the music he played.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
We got a close-up look at a Paul Gauguin Cruises ship as we circled Mount Otemanu. We jumped out and swam with blacktip reef sharks and many other fish. After jumping into the shallow, crystal-clear water and seeing the beautiful creatures, I overcame my fear of sharks and was able to snorkel around the lagoon.
The Points Guy is Clint Henderson.
We had a picnic lunch prepared by a local islander and spent an hour looking for elusive stingrays. Even though I was the only person in sight, I thought it was the best way to spend a day in the area.
There is a honeymoon in French Polynesia with Chase and Amex points.
Although you might want to spend a few days lazing in the sun on your overwater villa's private deck or snorkeling the placid waters of a pellucid lagoon, there are plenty of outdoor adventure activities to enjoy.
I recommend whale watching, seeing the underwater sights on Rangiroa, and ATV-ing on the island of Bora Bora. I'm going to take the advice of Brian Kelly and get certified before I go to French Polynesia because I want to explore its underwater treasures more.
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