FAQ & Tahiti Facts

Can I pay by credit card?

Yes — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Google Pay and Apple Pay are all accepted, in euros (€).

What is your cancellation policy?

No payment in advance — you only pay at the end of the tour, and only if you join. This means there's no financial risk in booking. If your plans change, just let me know as early as possible so I can offer your spot to someone else. Learn more here.

How much time should I arrive before the tour?

10 minutes is enough — but you're welcome to arrive earlier and enjoy the restaurant "La Casa Bianca" while you wait. In that case, please make sure to be outside, at the street corner (garden side) — not inside the restaurant or its garden — under the tree, 1-2 minutes before the starting time. That way, you'll also enjoy some shade while you wait!

Is starting time flexible?

Yes starting time is flexible. But you have to know for tours 2 and 3; I don't offer every departure time. Here's why: at the turtle spot specifically, there are only 2-3 mooring buoys to tie up the boat, and anchoring isn't possible there since it's coral everywhere. It's first-come, first-served — arriving too late could mean waiting for a buoy to free up, and less time in the water.

If you'd like a different time, fill out the form with any available time slot, then mention your preferred time(s) in the comments — I'll do my best to accommodate you.

And just so you have the full picture, you should also know: this isn't an issue at the wrecks spot, since besides 6 mooring buoys, there's a sandy bottom where anchoring won't damage anything.

How is the price calculated for a single person or larger groups?

The price per person is the same standard rate whether you're 2, 3, 4, or 5 people — the total simply reflects your group size. The only exception is a solo traveler, who pays the minimum charge equivalent to 2 people.

Where do we meet you?

At Marina Taina, in Punaauia, outside at the street corner right in front of the restaurant "La Casa Bianca" (garden side) — not inside the restaurant or its garden.

Try to be 10 minutes before the starting time.

Is there parking nearby?

Yes, there is completely free parking at Marina Taina.

Are there restrooms at the meeting point?

Yes, with showers too — but they're not fully public: they're reserved for marina clients, which includes you as my guest, since I have access. You'll need an electronic badge to open the doors, which I'll have with me on the day. One small note: the women's restroom door is often locked, while the men's stays open (so no need of me and my badge, you can get in) — it's completely normal here for anyone to use the men's side if needed.

How much time should I plan after the tour before heading to a taxi, cruise ship, or flight?

We recommend allowing at least 30-45 minutes of buffer after the tour's listed end time before you will be in your taxi to go back — or 10-25 minutes if you have your own car. A tour normally ends right at its listed duration, but I'm often happy to extend it a little at no extra charge (a Captain's gift — anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes) to make sure you get the full experience. This especially applies to larger groups: with 4 or 5 people, getting everyone geared up and into the water takes longer, so I build in extra time to keep the actual snorkeling time consistent no matter the group size. If you have a fixed deadline (like a cruise departure), just let me know when we meet at the beginning of the tour so I can plan accordingly, since tours can occasionally run a little longer (as mentioned above).

Can we bring our luggage on the tour?

Small bags can be stored in the dry cabin, protected from rain. Larger suitcases would need to stay on the open deck, exposed to sun and rain if any. If possible, we recommend leaving your luggage at your hotel for the most comfortable experience.

What should I bring?

Your own mask, snorkel, fins, snorkeling vest and pool noodles (even though I'll have some available for you, your own gear — chosen and fitted to you over time — is always more comfortable), a swimsuit or a light wetsuit (shorty), sunscreen, a hat, a UV rash guard, a towel, polarized sunglasses, your own camera, and anything else that would make you happy. Learn more here.

Is it better to bring my own snorkeling gear, or borrow yours?

Yours, by far — even though I'll always have gear available for you if needed. Your own mask, snorkel, and fins were chosen and fitted to you over time, so they're simply more comfortable and better suited to your face and feet. My gear gets lent to many different guests, so it can't be perfectly adjusted to everyone the same way. If you're able to bring your own, it's always the better choice.

Should I buy my own snorkeling gear before coming to French Polynesia?

Yes, if you can, it's worth it. Water is everywhere in French Polynesia, so opportunities to swim and snorkel come up constantly. A mask and snorkel take up very little space in a suitcase — and if you have a bit of extra room, travel-friendly short fins exist too, specifically designed for travelers. That way, from your hotel, guesthouse, Airbnb, or anywhere else, you can jump in the water whenever you like, without first having to track someone down to borrow gear from. And as always, your own gear — chosen and fitted to you over time — is simply more comfortable. If it's new gear for you, trying it out once beforehand (a pool, the sea, even a bathtub works) means it won't feel unfamiliar on tour day. That said, if you don't have time to get or try your own gear before you come, don't worry at all — it's simply a nice extra, not a must, and I'll make sure you're comfortable with whatever you use right from the start of the tour.

What's included in the price?

Mask, snorkel, fins, snorkeling vest, and pool noodles are all provided. Free photos of your trip are included by email (except on the Whale Watching tour). What may be useful to bring? See here.

Is the tour really private, or do we share the boat with other people?

Fully private — you and your own group only, never combined with other travelers. 1 to 5 people maximum per boat.

Do we swim with the whales?

No — for your safety, whale watching is observed from the boat only, never in the water. Swimming with whales demands very strong, confident swimmers: reaching a whale and returning to the boat means covering at least 200 meters (660 feet) in open ocean, against swell and wind, with no support boat nearby if you get tired. There's also a real, serious shark risk to know about. According to a 2026 advisory from the Ma'o Mana Foundation, a leading marine research organization, the current Super El Niño event is expected to significantly increase encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks — an opportunistic species already drawn to whales — in Polynesian waters this whale season. For these reasons, we don't offer whale swimming, and wouldn't recommend it with any operator this season. Snorkeling on our other tours is with turtles, tropical fish, and at the wreck site "The Aquarium." Curious why? Here's the full explanation.

Is whale watching available all year?

No, it's seasonal. Contact us to check current availability for the whale season.

Can we come with very young children? What tours would you recommend for a comfortable experience?

Yes, that's absolutely possible — we've had guests join us with infants as young as 6 months old. For little ones, we recommend our lagoon tours (#1, #4, #5, #6): they stay inside the calm, sheltered lagoon, much like a large lake — a reassuring, predictable choice, since sea conditions elsewhere can vary from day to day and aren't always known in advance. For tours that include snorkeling (#1, #5, and #6 if you choose the snorkeling option), if your child is too young or doesn't want to get in the water, it's no problem with two adults: you can either alternate — one stays on the boat with the child while the other snorkels, switching halfway through — or, if one adult simply prefers to stay with the child the whole time, the other can enjoy the full snorkeling time instead. Whatever works best for your family! Tour #4 (a pure lagoon cruise, no snorkeling) is naturally comfortable for everyone without any need to plan around it.

Can someone in a wheelchair (or with a disability) join a tour?

It's feasible, but not necessarily easy, and it doesn't work out for everyone. The boat's deck is close to the dock's height, which helps with boarding, but it still takes some effort and strength. Getting into the water is usually not too difficult, but climbing back onto the boat afterward is done via a ladder that requires strength in both your legs and arms — most guests in wheelchairs haven't been able to manage this part. That said, even without snorkeling, guests have still been able to enjoy the boat ride and the scenery. Feel free to contact us with a few more details about your mobility, and we'll be honest with you about whether it's realistic for your situation.

Can you bring a wheelchair on board?

Yes, as long as it's a collapsible/foldable wheelchair — we can store it safely on board once you're seated.

Taxis

Tahiti and Moorea taxi website: taxitahiti.com — Rates: taxitahiti.com/tarifs

Are there taxis available right at the cruise ship dock?

Yes — and it's simple and hassle-free, especially if you're among the first off the ship: taxis wait right at the exit on a first come, first served basis, and drivers are used to cruise passengers, even if you don't speak French. If you're not among the first off, it can get busier and take more patience — though never impossible.

If none are available, two taxi stands are within easy walking distance: the Ferry terminal taxi stand (about a 4-minute walk, 290m/950ft), or the Vaima taxi stand (about an 8-minute walk, 500m/1,640ft).

If you'd rather arrange everything ahead of time, a couple of local taxi companies allow advance booking (and sometimes prepayment) for the ride to Marina Taina — for example taxitahitidrivy.com or taxitahiti.com/5-islands-cards. I haven't used these services myself, so please contact them directly to confirm availability and pricing.

One tip: your return trip is the tricky part — with 3,000 to 4,000 passengers from your cruise ship all needing a ride back around the same time, taxis get scarce fast. Since your tour won't end at a fixed-to-the-minute time, we'd suggest asking your taxi driver to come back for you about 30 minutes after the tour's expected end time — this way, you won't be left struggling to find one for your return trip.

Taxi information and rates: taxitahiti.com/stations and taxitahiti.com/tarifs.

Banks

As a general guide (hours can vary from branch to branch):

• Monday to Friday: 8am–11:45am then 1:30pm–3:30pm
• Saturday: opening hours vary by branch
• Sunday: closed

Tipping in French Polynesia

Tipping is welcome in French Polynesia and isn't disrespectful, whatever you might read elsewhere. As Polynesians themselves do when traveling to the US, New Zealand or other countries, the amount is entirely up to you — give what you want, or nothing if the service didn't satisfy you. It's never required, but always appreciated.

How much time should I plan at Faa'a airport before an international flight?

Check-in counters for international flights usually open 3 to 3.5 hours before departure, with check-in closing 1 hour before the scheduled departure time. For domestic inter-island flights, check-in usually closes between 20 and 30 minutes before departure. This is general guidance only, and exact times vary by airline — please always confirm directly on your ticket, with the airport (+689 40 866 060, tahiti-aeroports.com/fr/formalites-enregistrement), or with your airline. We can't be held responsible for a missed flight.

Is there a luggage storage service at Faa'a airport?

Yes — Tahiti Lockers offers a luggage storage service at the airport, located facing the international departures gate. Rates and opening hours may vary, so please contact them directly to confirm: phone +689 87 37 71 71, email tahitilockers@gmail.com, or their Facebook page.

What is coral?

Coral is a living animal, made up of tiny polyps that can number in the thousands within a single colony. Each polyp builds its own skeleton and adds to the reef structure. This is made possible by a symbiotic algae, zooxanthellae, which captures the sun's energy through photosynthesis and provides up to 95% of the coral's food — in exchange for shelter and nutrients.

How to respect nature while snorkeling

• Don't stand on or touch coral: even a light touch can kill an entire colony.
• Don't feed the animals, it disrupts their natural behavior.
• Don't touch, disturb or chase the animals.
• Stay clear of the bottom and keep your body horizontal, to avoid stirring up sediment.
• Don't take natural souvenirs (shells, etc.).
• Use reef-safe sunscreen, or prefer a hat and t-shirt instead.

How are Polynesian islands born?

It starts with a volcanic island born from a hotspot, with no coral and no lagoon. Over time, it turns into an atoll: the island slowly disappears, leaving only a coral ring around a lagoon. Eventually, the atoll itself sinks beneath the ocean.