Spring Festival charter cruise | Silversea cruise exploring Tahiti for 11 days
KEEGAN VAUGHN
beachlife
Rangiroa, French Polynesia 🇵🇫 – Where the Lagoon Feels Like the Sky Fell to Earth
Saly.
1
Spent a week cruising around French Polynesia. Honestly, it’s a massive trek from Edinburgh, but the water down here is unreal.
Started in Papeete. Instead of hanging around the port, I went straight to the local municipal market. It's actually worth a look – proper local vibe, tonnes of fresh fruit, and some decent street food nearby. If you want proper food, skip the cruise ship dining room for a night and find the local food vans (the roulottes) near the waterfront. The local poisson cru and coconut crab are spot on and way cheaper than resort food.
As for the cruise itself, it’s basically the only practical way to see these islands (Moorea, Bora Bora, Rangiroa) without paying stupid money for island-hopping flights and accommodation.
Quick thoughts on the stops:
· Moorea: Decent snorkelling. The water is incredibly clear, but the organised boat tours are a bit too crowded for my liking.
· Bora Bora: Mount Otemanu is a proper landmark, looks massive from the water. The famous overwater bungalows are a bit of a gimmick and massively overpriced. You can get the exact same views and water access without staying in one.
· Rangiroa: Probably the best spot. Proper quiet, just a massive ring of coral and almost no tourists about.
Overall verdict: The nature is 10/10, but the whole luxury honeymoon vibe on some islands gets a bit tedious. Go for the landscapes and the local markets, and don't bother wasting money on the luxury tourist traps. The cruise option is pretty decent value if you stick to the basics.
London_Tube
여행지원금이벤트
The only 4-star resort on the ring-shaped island
AllieIm
The scenery of Rangiroa Atoll in French Polynesia is really attractive