A month in French Polynesia

Hi

My boyfriend and I arrive in May for a month as part of a RTW trip. We know this is going to be the most expensive part of the trip but still want to stick to a budget. So I have a couple of questions!

1) If you're camping can you rent tents or is it better to bring one with us? (Guessing we can buy one in Sydney somewhere!) What are the cooking facilities like? And costs for camping?

2) Is it possible to rent small flats or houses for a month on any of the islands? Any idea of costs?

3) Can anyone recommend somewhere where we can learn to surf? Both complete beginners but keen to learn properly.

4) Is it possible to pick up any casual work? My boyfriend is a chef and I have lots of hospitality experience so we were wondering if it would be possible to trade any sort of work for beds or surf lessons!? Or maybe crewing on yachts although we dont have much sailing experience.

Thanks for everyone's help.

1. Bring your own tent. Rates are generally around 1500 cfp per person though it is 2500 on Bora Bora and 2000 on Maupiti. Most places have communal kitchens. However there are some (like Kahaia Beach in Tikehau) that have no cooking facilities.
   
   2. Yes. Villas Bougainville in Huahine will rent you a house, car and boat at 16400 per night for two people for a stay of 15 of more nights. If you are planning on staying a month anywhere ask for a discounted price.
   
   

Google surf lessons for each isalnd and you might find something.

On all the developed islands, like Moorea, Tahiti, and Bora Bora, you can find deals like Silvanocat found. But that one looks better than the ones I found.

As for the yachting question, look on the boating branch (life on an ocean wave, I think?).

Ed

I hope to get there in June - sailing from Marquesas through the Tuamotos to Tahiti .. which i think will be a great way to get around the out of the way islands. I don't aim to spend much time in Papette - it was expensive years ago and isn't getting any cheaper..

Moorea used to do camping places .

(Boat is the Tallship Soren Larsen, from NZ, they take people on for 11-18 day adventure voyages as part of the crew)

Try Moorea Camping, Nelson Camping and Marks Place on Moorea. (Google will bring up quite a few reviews.) They are all located relatively close to the surfing break in the reef on Moorea, and you might be able to find someone to give lessons at Haapiti Surf Lodge on Moorea.