|
From
Papeete to Raiatea & Tahaa Islands via: Charter
Planes, Large Seacraft, |
|
Getting
Around Raiatea & Tahaa (General Information)
via:
Le'Truck, Taxis/ Minibus, Rental Cars, Scooters & Bicycles, Rental boats, Walking, or hitchhiking |
INTERNATIONAL
FLIGHTS TO PAPEETE, TAHITI-NUI
International airlines regulary scheduling flights to Papeete:|
Tahiti
Airlines
|
||
You'll most likely need to get to a good sized city or a Tahiti flight "hub" to fly direct to Papeete on these airlines. Contact them direct to see if they can offer you the connections you need, or consult our travel agent.
 AIR
TAHITIMain office is in Tahiti Faaa Airport, P.O. Box 314, Papeete- TAHITI General Manager: Marcel GALENO, Telephone Standard: (689) 86.40.00, RESERVATIONS: (689) 86.42.42, or fax (689) 86.40.69, Moorea Office: (689) 56.10.34 Fleet: 5 ATR72's (capacity 66), and 3 ATR42's (capacity 48) * SEVERAL DAILY FLIGHTS TO RAIATEA FROM PAPEETE, TAHITI * INTER ISLAND FLIGHTS FROM RAIATEA TO: Huahine- DAILY, Bora Bora- DAILY, Moorea- DAILY, Maupiti- 2 flights per week. Air Tahiti flies to 39 Polynesian islands including all Society Islands, the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, and Australs. Scheduled flights or charter flights available. Contact Air Tahiti direct for exact information regarding questions, flight details, and reserving or purchasing tickets. |
| AIR
MOOREA (Private Charter Flights) Main office in Papeete, TAHITI Telephone (689) 86.41.41 , Fax (689) 86.42.99 Fleet: 2 Twin Otters, 3 Britten Normans, 1 Dornier * FLIGHTS UPON REQUEST TO ALL DESTINATIONS, including RAIATEA |
AIR
ARCHIPELS (Private Charter Flights) P.O. Box 6019 Faaa- TAHITI Tel. (689)81.30.30, Fax (689)86.42.69, Contact: Mr. Francois MARTIN Fleet: 1 Conquest 2, 1 Beechcraft B2 * FLIGHTS UPON REQUEST TO ALL DESTINATIONS, including RAIATEA |
POLYNESIA
HELICOPTERES
Based out of the Tahiti- Faa'a International Airport
Flights upon request to ALL Polynesian destinations,
specializing in the Society Islands of Bora Bora, Moorea, Tupai and the Marquesan
island of Nuku Hiva.
P.O. Box 6109- 98 702, Faaa- TAHITI
Tahiti Contact: Mr. Marc KOSKA, Tel.(689) 54.87.20, Fax (689) 54.87.21
E-MAIL
& Reservations- Tahiti | E-MAIL
& Reservations- Bora Bora
|
VAEANU
|
AREMITI III Gallieni Wharf, Papeete- TAHITI, (P.O. Box 9254, 98 713 Papeete-TAHITI) Telephone- (689) 42.88.88 /74.39.40, Fax- (689) 42.83.83, Max. Capacity: 350 passengers, (on the deck), no cabins available on board. NO VEHICLES. Offices open: Wednesday, Thurs, and Saturday: 8-12 am, then 2:30-5pm. FROM RAIATEA: THIS BOAT GOES TO: HUAHINE, BORA BORA, TAHAA , TAHITI AND ? |
|
HAWAIKI NUI |
TAHITI NUI/ MEHERIO II & III, & TE ARATAI Gallieni Wharf, Papeete, P.O. Box 9072, 98715 Motu Uta -TAHITI Telephone- (689) 50.66.71, Fax- (689) 43.32.70 Contact: Mr. Leonard PUPUTOUKI Departure schedules set according to the requirements of local service providers. No cabins available on board. Meals served. Offices located in Motu Uta, Papeete and open from: Monday-Thursday: 7:30am-3:30 pm, and Friday from 7:30am-2:30pm FROM RAIATEA: THIS BOAT GOES TO: TAHITI, AND ? |
|
MAUPITI
EXPRESS (c/o Tahaa Transport Services) |
| Access to Raiatea and Tahaa Islands can also be achieved via various sailing and private boat charters: See our special SAILING, BOAT CHARTER, & MARINE INFO section for details. |
INTER-ISLAND
SHUTTLES
(Running regularly between
Raiatea & Tahaa)
From
Raiatea, it's quite easy and cheap to get to Tahaa island. Since there is
no airport on Tahaa, you must take an inter-island shuttle. Trips take about
15 minutes between islands and the tickets are cheap.
These boats run daily from the main dock in
Uturoa, and advanced booking isn't necessary on most days. Between the boats,
there are at least 2 runs per day, 6 or 7 days a week, and usually more. You
can get tickets and departure schedules right across the street from where
the shuttles dock, or by contacting their offices. Choices are as follows:
|
UPORU/ IRIPAU, (c/o S.A.R.L. Enota)
|
TAMARII
TAHAA ( SERVICE TRANSPORTS RAROMATAI) Uturoa quay- RAIATEA, Contact: Mr. Patrick MOUSSON P.O. Box 149-98734 Haamene- TAHAA, Tel.( 689) 65.65.29 Locally built, 46' aluminum boat. Max capacity: 66 passengers |
| LA COMPAGNIE DES TAXI-BOAT Based on Tahaa, BP. 152, Haamene, TAHAA, Contacts: William DONZELOT and Patrick BRAINDOT Telephone- (689) 65.66.44/ 79.62.01, or 79.62.02, Fax- (689) 65.62.65, Minimum of only 1 person and a max of 12. TAXI BOAT takes you anywhere you need to go in the area fast, including Raiatea/ Tahaa crossings! 2 locally built 23 and 28 ft polyester and aluminum boats, plus a 12x6 meter BARGE can transport materials, cars, building supplies, etc, anywhere you need to get it. CONTACT US ON VHF RADIO CHANNEL 69! |
The BEST WAY TO GET AROUND THE ISLANDS (that provides you the most freedom), is to rent a car, scooter, bicycle, or walk. Hitchhiking isn't really a good option. (see note below for details). Another option is "Le Truck", Tahiti's classic public transportation. (See notes below for more truck details.) Some places that provide rentals are listed below, however ALL hotels, and most pensions will be able to do the arranging for you. (Depending on your chosen accomodations, some will charge a nominal fee for this service). For most, this is the easiest and fastest way to get your rental going. For those penny pinchers and self arrangers, you may save a buck or two, but you'll definately have to work for it. |
LE'
TRUCK
Raiatea: The
trucks generally run the coastal
road nearby Uturoa more frequently
than the rest of the island, but
if you can get a local and updated
schedule from your hotel or pension,
you may be able to take Le Truck
all the way around the island!
This is the absolute best economical
choice of travel you have with
the exception of walking. Ask
your hotel or pension for the
current schedules once you've
arrived.
Tahaa:
Similiar to Raiatea, get your
schedules from the local pensions
and hotels your staying with...
RENTAL
CARS, SCOOTERS, & BICYCLES
The
modes of transportation that give
you the most freedom on Raiatea
and Tahaa is the car or scooter
rental.
Bicycles are also a great way
to get around for pleasureable
riding, but are obviously more
work, a little slower, and can't
keep you from getting wet in case
of a sudden downpour.
On
Raiatea:
Not
to be outdone on Raiatea, as with
most other Polynesian islands,
the ever present EUROPCAR is here
and is our featured choice.
EUROPCAR RAIATEA (Raiatea Locations)
PK 1, (PO BOX 549)-
98735 Uturoa- RAIATEA
Telephone:(689) 66.34.06, Fax:(689) 66.16.06
Contact: Patrick Bardou E-MAIL
& Reservations
 TSTNEZ Print Internet Coupon Participant. The Coupon saves 10% off your car rental |
"With Europcar, You Rent a Lot More than a Car"
...and its true on Raiatea the same as it is with the rest of French Polynesia. Let us take care of your rental car, scooter, and bicycle needs. We offer quality products, experience, and a large selection of cars.
We also are the only one on the island renting small motorboats.
Also, ASK US ABOUT OUR SPECIAL Rental Car/ Pension package deal! It's a deal that can't be beat on Raiatea.
COME VISIT OUR DIRECT LINKING WEBSITE
FOR ALL THE DETAILS!
|
ODILE LOCATIONS |
AVIS
RAIATEA Uturoa airport, P.O. Box 1255- 98735, RAIATEA Tel.- (689) 66.20.80, Fax- (689) 66.20.00 Renting Cars, Scooters |
| GARAGE
MOTU TAPU P.O. Box 139- 98735 Uturoa- RAIATEA Telephone- (689)66.33.09, Fax- (689) 66.29.11 Renting Cars, Scooters |
HERTZ
RENT A CAR Located Uturoa center, PO. Box 999- 98735 Uturoa- RAIATEA Telephone- (689) 66.44.88, Fax- (689) 66.44.89 Renting Cars, Scooters |
|
VAEA RENT-A-BIKE |
|
MONIQUE
LOCATIONS |
TAHAA
MULTI SERVICES (EUROPCAR TAHAA) Tapuamu Quay, P.O. Box 153, Haamene- TAHAA Telephone- (689) 65.67.00/ 65.63.78, Fax- (689) 65.68.08 Renting Cars, Scooters, bicycles |
A general pricing guide is
the same on Raiatea and Tahaa as with the other islands: Fiat "Pandas",
or other low grade cars without air conditioning begin around US $ 65-75.00/day,
and go on up to around US $ 100.00 - 150.00/day for the more lavish cars
w /air. Hondas, Peugots, and Toyotas are among the local favorites.
| TST Comment: Depending on the season, AVAILABILITY of rental cars can be an issue. Even in the "off" season, it is a good idea to pre arrange a rental car before landing on any island if you can. Your hotel can do this for you if you remind them to do so when you book your room, or you can make the arrangements yourself by calling ahead. In most cases, a car will be available to you, but don't take that for granted, as you may end up looking at a scooter as your next best option... |
RENTAL
BOATS
There
is one place on Raiatea to rent small powerboats and cruise the lagoon by
yourself. These boats are a great way to explore the peace and beauty
of the lagoon on a nice relaxing afternoon. No special licenses are required
(for the smaller horsepower ones), however a basic knowledge of engines and
seamanship is recommended...
RAIATEA
LOCATIONS (Europcar
Raiatea)
Tahina, Uturoa, (PK 1), PO
BOX 549- 98735- RAIATEA
Telephone:(689) 66.34.06, Fax:(689)
66.16.06
Contact: Patrick Bardou E-MAIL
& Reservations
| TSTN EZ Print Internet Coupon Participant. The Coupon saves 10% off your boat rental |
2- 16 foot fiberglass boats, with maximum of 10 passengers
each.
No boat license permit is required
for boat w/ 6 horsepower engine,
boating license IS required for
boat w/ 15 horse power engine.
On request for 1 or 2 hours, but
normally 1/2 or full day rentals.
Also, ASK US ABOUT OUR SPECIAL
Rental Car/ Pension package deal!
It's a deal that can't be beat
on Raiatea.
COME
VISIT OUR DIRECT
LINKING WEBSITE FOR ALL THE
DETAILS!
WALKING
Walking
around Raiatea and Tahaa is a
great way to see and enjoy these
wonderful islands! Exploring
the area you are staying in by
foot is the best way to meet the
locals and really see and appreciate
the relaxed lifestyle of the islanders.
It's also the best way to appreciate
the beauty of Raiatea and Tahaa.
You will be able to enjoy and
photograph your surroundings in
peace as nobody will be hurrying
or distracting you either. Bring
a daypack and make a full or 1/2
day out of just walking around
and enjoying the atmosphere- starting
from any place on the islands.
If you pack a towel and a snorkel,
you can also "dip when necessary"
along the way!
HITCHHIKING
Every
traveler knows how, or has had
an experience with hitchhiking.
For fairly small, enclosed islands
such as Raiatea and Tahaa, the
danger factor, (every hitchhikers
most important concern) is rather
low. Unfortunately, this form
of travel on the islands isn't
really a good option. Why?
The problem lies in the fact that
you will RARELY, if ever, be picked
up! Perhaps if you are a ravishingly
beautiful girl traveling alone
you may be able to entice the
locals to pull over by displaying
a little leg or other body part...
but all others forget it! The
drivers will simply ignore you.
Whether this is a French thing,
or possibly a Tahitian phenomenon,
is unknown.
Consider
yourself warned...
On these islands, if you plan
on making this form of travel
your # 1 mode of transportation,
you may end up walking some healthy
distances before realizing the
truth: Hitchhiking the islands
of Polynesia is unfortunately
and inheritantly difficult.
TAXIS
/ MINIBUSES-
Service
taxis and minibuses can be found
on the Uturoa wharf and at the
airport. They are a handy
form of transportation but can
cost a bit... (Sometimes, it's
convenient and justified to just
pay the ridiculous fee for these
guys to get you where you're staying
or the rental car office where
you can then make better transportation
plans.) Here's the contact:
|
TAXI INFORMATION PO. Box 370- 98 735 Uturoa, RAIATEA, Telephone- (689) 66.36.74/ 72.30.54, Contact: Mr. Germaine GUILLOUX Based at the airport and Uturoa Harbour. |
GETTING
TO AND AROUND THE OTHER ISLANDS
Plan your TRIP & TRANSPORTATION options on the other islands of
An Internetwork of Travel
and Tourism Guides for the Main Islands of Tahiti Polynesia.
|
Tuamotu
Islands |
|
???
|
$$$
|
