 |
|
|
Home page // Shore excursions // REGION: Polynesia / South Pacific |
[ CUSTOMER LOGIN ] |
|
Note: Many PortCompass tours are private or semi-private car/van excursions and as such, some may have minimum passenger requirements. If necessary, we will try to connect you with others to form a group. We also offer some tours that are bus-based with no minimum passenger requirements. Full details are provided upon inquiry. Regardless, our prices are usually significantly below cruise-line pricing. Our pricing comparisons are based on a survey of several different cruise lines. But since cruise lines can change their prices without notice, these comparisons should only be used as guidelines. Click here to inquire about any of our excursions! The prices below are subject to change and should be used as a guideline only. Please contact us for an exact quote based on your needs. Shore Snorkeling at Taumeasina Order code: MOD-SNORK Approx. 2.5 hours US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Includes drinks, island fruits and snacks. Snorkeling gear and safety vests are also included in our price. Snorkelers will be required to sign a liability waiver. Pickup is at 8.30am or 12 noon. Take a short 5-minute ride to the beach. You will snorkel across to and around Taumeasina Island to admire its diverse flora and fauna and vibrant Samoan reef marine life. This area is known for awesome visibility all year round. You are encouraged to look but not to touch any of the marine life. Don't forget your disposable underwater camera, sun block, sandals, towel and change of clothes for a wonderful day in the water. Single-Tank Scuba Diving Adventure Order code: MOD-SINTK Approx. 2-3 hours US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Divers must bring proof of diving certification. Maximum capacity of 12 divers ensures individual attention. Divers will be required to sign a liability waiver. The single tank dive is perfect for those with limited time and want to do atleast one dive in this marine paradise. Depending on weather, the divemaster will select the best spots from over 50 dive sites. Two-Tank Scuba Diving Adventure Order code: MOD-TWOTK Approx. 4 hours US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Includes picnic lunch on a cyclone reef and all equipment. Divers must bring proof of diving certification. Maximum capacity of 12 divers ensures individual attention. Divers will be required to sign a liability waiver. Pickup is usually at 8.30am but we can be flexible. Head straight out on a 30ft dive boat to the first dive spot of the day, after which you will enjoy a picnic lunch on a cyclone reef, after which you will enjoy your second dive. Depending on weather, the divemaster will select the best spots from over 50 dive sites. Among the possibilities are the following: Vailima Breweries is about 15 minutes by boat from the island. Vailima Breweries was devastated during the 1990 and 1991 cyclones but 10 years later the coral regrowth has been prolific. It is fascinating to see the re-establishment of these resilient creatures. Some attribute its fast recovery to the close proximity to the Vailima Breweries. Whatever the cause, this spot is teeming with a large variety of coral and fish. The top of the Breweries drops off to a wall with a sandy bottom where eagle rays are often sighted and large schools of yellow spot emperors and other pelagics, like turtles, circle close by. After the dive, enjoy a lunch comprising of tuna and egg sandwiches, chips and local fruits and drinks on one of the cyclone reefs nearby. Another possible option is the Treasure Garden. From the outer reef wall a turn-off reveals a gently rising garden of well established corals that is a favourite spot around Apia for hawksbill turtles. This is a great opportunity to spot these wonderful creatures in our dive and also the chance to meet our resident giant clam, 'JAWS'. Located five miles from Apia Harbour, the Five Mile Reef is an outer reef offers a beautiful dive with well established hard corals and a multitude of fish life. Five Mile Reef rises up from 200-300 metres of water to 14 metres at its shallowest point, offering dives for beginners to advanced divers. It offers a warm environment and great visibility all year round (between 30-50 metres) and is often visited by spinner dolphins, barracuda, white and black tips, and many varieties of visiting pelagic fish. One of our popular sites on the reef is Valerie's Corner. In 1991 during Cyclone Valerie, large boulders were deposited on the reef from the surrounding sea floor, creating a wonderful habitat for giant clams, Christmas tree tube worms and moray eels. Also expect a lot of reef fish in this site as you explore the valleys and chasms, and drop-offs along its length. The Wreck is a popular choice for the second dive. In 1889, ships from Great Britain, Germany and the United States were destroyed by hurricanes; not one ship managed to escape nature's wrath. Most of the wrecks are buried in the harbour area. You will see a protruding sunken ship, lying on the sea bed like a huge barge. Artefacts, including German buttons, potholes, a necklace and a ring, were recovered in recent years. Return to your cruise ship after an exhilarating day of diving. Full Day Circle Island with Swimming and Snorkeling Order code: FIV-CIRCL US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Minimum number of passengers: 4 (Smaller group? Ask us for pricing!) Includes lunch and snorkeling equipment. This is a Portcompass exclusive and not offered by the cruise lines. This is a comprehensive full day circle island private tour that offers incredible breadth and variety. Start your day with a scenic drive past villages along the Northern Coast. The first stop is at the famous Piula Fresh Water Cave Pool, which runs underneath the oldest Methodist church in Samoa (closed on Sundays). Located beside the warm sea, its unique location allows you to take refreshing swims in both fresh water and sea water. Alternatively, you may want to just sit back and feed the fish. Either way, enjoy cool mountain-fresh water bubbling out right next to the azure and warm Saoluafata lagoon. Next, you will have a photo-opportunity at the Falefa Falls as you watch it cascade 50 feet into the ocean. Your adventure continues with a drive through the tropical rainforest-covered coastline with its majestic virgin coastal views. Enjoy the lookout over Fagaloa Bay and take a short quiet stroll with the bats and forest pigeons. Then walk to the top of the Le Mafa Pass, along Samoa's most scenic inland road, all 100 metres of it. At this point, enjoy a short break with morning tea, with time to contemplate the mountainous landscape of Samoa. By the time you see the Eastern and Southern beaches overlooking four off-shore volcanic cones, you will not want to leave Samoa. Then we'll take you to a mystery location. Let's just say it's Samoa's BEST beach; it's secluded and shaded, and you will be provided with everything you need to snorkel (time permitting). You will also enjoy a beachside lunch in this gorgeous spot. After lunch, head to Sopoaga Waterfall, cascading 60 metres below the lookout. Watch a coconut cream demonstration and enjoy a local "spiked" coconut in a tropical garden filled with labeled medicinal plants. Then enjoy another swim in the beautiful National Park Falls and watch your guide disappear over the cliff and underwater! For the more adventurous, and those appreciative of coastal/mangrove conservation, visit the Marine Protected Area and witness some majestic scenery and local hospitality. Return to the ship via the Papapapai-uta Falls, enjoying scenic views of villages over Apia and the Harbor. Alternatively, visit the Turtle Feeding Pool or Return to Paradise Beach. For those who are interested, you can even visit the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum (time permitting, admission not included. Closed on Saturday evenings and on Sundays). Please make your preferences known to the guide who will do his best to accommodate your interests. This is one excursion you'll remember for a while and one we hope the villagers you meet won’t forget either. 4X4 Safari of Bora Bora's Remote Interior Order code: SouthPacific-6 Approx. 3.5 hours US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Price comparison is with the Princess excursion as it is the only one which includes the same stops. This is an off-road adventure that involves exhilarating but steep ascents and may be bumpy. Departures are scheduled at 8.30am and 1.30 pm. After boarding a customized, open-air four-wheel-drive Land Rover, and under the expert care of your driver/guide, you are off to explore some of Bora Bora's secluded regions and mountain interiors. Making your way through lush vegetation, you will be rewarded with fabulous panoramas of valleys, the barrier reef and the lagoon with its incredible colors. All along the way, you will learn about the flora and fauna, local customs, history and culture. Your guide will be more than pleased to answer any question regarding island life, so please do not hesitate to ask. After traversing sleepy Faanui village, you'll proceed to an ancestral plantation, set high in mountains, just below brooding Mount Pahia, where you will meet Manu, a local artist who hand paints pareos, and get to taste some island fruit in season. A climb of Pahonu Hill will allow spectacular views of the island's western and southern shores, while a slow drive on a ridge behind Pahua Point will bring you to some seven-inch canons, which were installed there by American troops during World War II, and still there in their original positions. A refreshment stop at Moana Art & Pearls Boutique is also planned, which also features an exhibit of photographs and books by internationally known photographer Erwin Christian. Parasailing over Moorea Order code: SouthPacific-19 Approx. 1.5 hours US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Minimum number of passengers: 2 (Smaller group? Ask us for pricing!) Parasailing is a great for thrillseekers wanting a bird's eye view of the gorgeous Moorea lagoon as well. Depending on wind conditions, this excursion will be conducted in one of the two bays in Moorea. Float for 10 minutes, up to 600 feet above the spectacular lagoon. The experience will take your breath away! Two-tank Scuba Diving expedition Order code: SouthPacific-16 US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Sharkfeedings cost an additional $25 Departure is at 8.30am and 1.30pm. Transfer from the pier to the dive center where you are outfitted with your scuba equipment. Then board your dive boat and travel to one of the many dive sites surrounding Moorea. The dive site is chosen based on local conditions the day of your visit. Moorea diving is known for sharkfeedings, moray eels, napoleon fish, trigger fish, sea turtles and the magnificent humpback whales (Aug through late Oct). Visibility is up to 250 feet. Tour includes all scuba equipment and professional supervision. All divers must bring their certification card. Volcanic Crater & Archaeological Hike at Three Pins Pass Order code: TEV-THRPI Approx. 4 hours US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Minimum number of passengers: 2 (Smaller group? Ask us for pricing!) Includes snacks. This hike is moderately easy but is probably not suited to children. If you like an active eco-tour and relish the thought of venturing off the-beaten-path, this is the excursion for you. The Archaeological Trail and Three Pins Pass are located in the volcanic crater. For an hour, walk in the Mape forest amongst chestnut trees and explore and learn all about the history and rituals of the "Marae" at the temple. The ascent to the 3 Pins Pass will take 45 minutes. At the pass, we have a spectacular view of Cook Bay and Mt Rotui, the Opunohu Valley and pineapple fields. Snacks, cookies and local fruits will be provided. Depending on weather, the trails can be muddy. Volcanic Crater Hike at Three Coconuts Pass Order code: TEV-COCON Approx. 5 hours US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Minimum number of passengers: 2 (Smaller group? Ask us for pricing!) Includes snacks. This trek is a Portcompass exclusive and is not offered by the cruise lines. Moderately easy but probably not suited to children. This hike is perfect for active vacationers wanting to venture off the-beaten-path. Located in the western part of the volcanic crater, this hike will take you into the wonderful Mape chestnut forest and across streams. At the pass, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of both Opunohu and Cook bays, plus a 180° view of the crater. You will also see the south side of the island and the lagoon. Snacks will be provided. Depending on weather, the trails can be muddy. Single-tank Scuba Diving expedition with Sharkfeeding Order code: SouthPacific-15 US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Departure is at 8.30am and 1.30pm. Transfer from the pier to the dive center where you are outfitted with your scuba equipment. Then board your dive boat and travel to one of the many dive sites surrounding Moorea. The dive site is chosen based on local conditions the day of your visit. Moorea diving is known for sharkfeedings, moray eels, napoleon fish, trigger fish, sea turtles and the magnificent humpback whales (Aug through late Oct). Visibility is up to 250 feet. Sharkfeeding is a major thrill to any diver, as you will encounter sharks up to 10 feet in length. This is one you will be describing to other divers! A large fish carcass is brought down to shark depths, and after several sharks gather round the carcass is cut up and hand fed to them by the trained sharkfeeders. It's a controlled feeding frenzy, all viewed by the thrilled divers nearby. These feedings are a mainstay diving activity in Moorea and have been repeated countless times without incident due to the predictable behavior of the resident sharks. In addition, there's a detailed briefing and Q&A session. This is done before you get to accompany the sharkfeeders on what is certain to be a highlight of your trip. Tour includes all scuba equipment and professional supervision. All divers must bring their certification card. Single-tank Scuba Diving expedition Order code: SouthPacific-14 US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Departure is at 8.30am and 1.30pm. Transfer from the pier to the dive center where you are outfitted with your scuba equipment. Then board your dive boat and travel to one of the many dive sites surrounding Moorea. The dive site is chosen based on local conditions the day of your visit. Moorea diving is known for sharkfeedings, moray eels, napoleon fish, trigger fish, sea turtles and the magnificent humpback whales (Aug through late Oct). Visibility is up to 250 feet. Tour includes all scuba equipment and professional supervision. All divers must bring their certification card. Guided CataJet Adventure and Stingray Snorkel Bonus Order code: SouthPacific-13 Approx. 2 hours US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Minimum number of passengers: 2 (Smaller group? Ask us for pricing!) Minimum age for drivers is 16. Children allowed if accompanied by an adult. Price comparison is with Waverunners. Our value is even greater than shown above as we include the bonus of snorkelling with stingrays. Departures at 9am and 2pm. On this memorable trip out on Moorea's lagoon, you will drive your own CataJet, on which you will be seated side-by-side with your partner. Your guide will point out the surrounding wildlife. A snorkeling stop will be made in the middle of the tour to experience the lagoon's marvels. You will see corals, shells, colorful fish and an get an unforgettable treat -- swimming with sting rays. The snorkeling stop can be tailored to your experience. Shallow water for beginners or deep water for experienced snorkelers. You will be provided with refreshing drinks after the snorkel. Helmet Order code: SouthPacific-10 Approx. 4 hours US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Minimum number of passengers: 5 (Smaller group? Ask us for pricing!) This tour is not offered by the cruise lines in Moorea. Price comparison above is with a similar helmet diving trip offered by the cruise lines in Bora Bora. Departures at 8.30am and 1pm. You will be met at the pier and taken by boat to the Sofitel Ia Ora. Helmet diving is a unique experience and truly appreciated by snorkelling lovers. Upon arrival, you are outfitted in a hard helmet, canvas diving suit. As your air is supplied by a pump, you will experience the magic of diving without undergoing certification or undertaking the risks associated with diving. Diving instructors will accompany you in your 35 minute snorkel. While five helmet "divers" explore the underwater world, the other adventurers will be able to relax on Temae Beach at the Sofitel Ia Ora Hotel, widely considered to be located on the best lagoon in Moorea for watersports. Enjoy a view of Tahiti from the beach, whose verdant, cloud-enshrouded mountains seem to climb out of the horizon beyond the reef. 4x4 Moorea Safari Order code: SouthPacific-11 Approx. 2.5 hours US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Minimum number of passengers: 2 (Smaller group? Ask us for pricing!) Departure at 9am and 2pm. Venture into the mountainous interior of Moorea aboard a Land Rover visiting the scenic Opunohu Valley and marae (archaeological) sites. Discover grape fruit, vanilla and pineapple plantations. Learn about the history, culture and daily lives of the people of Moorea. Bring your camera as the tour includes a stop at the Belvedere lookout with unparalleled panoramas of the valley and the two bays on either side. To top it off, you will also visit Magic Mountain, which sits at the top of a crater wall, offering sweeping views of the offshore reefs, Opunohu Bay and the North Coast. This off-road adventure is wonderfully scenic but can be bumpy. Full Day 4x4 Inland Safari Order code: SouthPacific-20 Approx. 8 hours US$ TBA (Contact us for pricing by starting an inquiry or sending an email.) Minimum number of passengers: 6 (Smaller group? Ask us for pricing!) The cruise comparison is based on a full day circle island tour. On this full day 4x4 safari, you will traverse the gorgeous island of Tahiti from north to south. Starting at around 8am, treat yourself to vistas of Tahiti's main volcanic crater, massive mountains, waterfalls and a multitude of native flora. Your guide will point out the wildlife, plus explain the botanical, geological and historical significance of the sights. See ancient maraes and archeological sites, discover hidden swimming holes, dip in a river and picnic by a waterfall. Stop at Lake Vaihiria, the largest lake in French Polynesia, famous for its sacred blue-eyed eels. Before entering the valley, you can purchase an optional picnic lunch for an idyllic day in an exotic paradise. |
|
|
Copyright PortCompass, LLC |
