These birds are the ultimate island hoppers! The ONLY helicopter service in
French Polynesia providing inter-island travel and flightseeing is Polynesia
Helicopteres (formerly known as Heli-Inter).This company has been doing business
in French Polynesia for years and caters to the more... shall we say... "influental"
of travelers.
TST says "If you can afford it, go for it!"
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
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TST
Comment: Sad to say this, but over the past year, we have made a serious
effort to work with this Helicopter company, but all our efforts, it
seems, were in vain. After meeting with the "man in charge"
on Bora Bora after the company changed its name in 2004, we linked them
with several direct emails from ALL the TST sites FOR FREE with the
hopes of showing them they would get a lot of emails and then want to
become a TST customer...
They
DID, in fact, receive a bunch of emails from people booking flights,
asking travel questions, etc, throughout the year, but NEVER ONCE DID
THE COMPANY GIVE US THE RESPECT OF EVEN ANSWERING OUR MANY EMAILS! (we
tried to contact them to see if they were getting their emails.) We
confirmed their email was correct, and after much banter, they finally
told us they didn't want to do business with us. This company has some
serious attitude! |
WATER
TAXI & TRANSPORT SERVICE
Another great service for Raiatea and Tahaa is this Water Taxi and barge. 2 boats for 2 different purposes: The water taxi quickly takes you anywhere on Raiatea or Tahaa you want to go for whatever purpose... Hotel transfers,
last minute airport shuttle rides, recreational areas, etc, and the barge can get equipment and supplies anywhere of your choosing.
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!
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HOW
TO GET AROUND ONCE YOU ARRIVE
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Le'
Truck- Always classic |
Once you've arrived on Raiatea
or Tahaa Islands, you'll be faced with the question of how to get around.
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
"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!
The rental cars on Raiatea are all fairly competitive with each other
in pricing, so often times it's a matter of where you end up locationwise
or who has available cars on the day you need them as to which one you will
choose:
Here's the rest of the listings:
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ODILE LOCATIONS
Located at the Sunset Beach Motel
PO Box 397, 98735 Uturoa- RAIATEA
Telephone- (689) 66.33.47, Fax- (689) 66.33.08
Specialize in renting bicycles
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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 |
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VAEA RENT-A-BIKE
Uturoa wharf, 98735 Uturoa- RAIATEA, Telephone-
(689) 79.16.61, Fax- (689) 66.27.17, Specializing in renting bicycles |
On Tahaa:
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MONIQUE
LOCATIONS
Haamene Quay, P.O. Box 120, Haamene- TAHAA
Telephone/ Fax- (689) 65.62.48
Renting Cars, Scooters, bicycles |
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
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. |
International airlines regulary scheduling flights to Papeete:
Besides
for the major cruiselines, (see 
INTER-ISLAND
SHUTTLES (Running regularly between
Raiatea & Tahaa)
