Tikehau in September, accommodation and excursions?

Hi, folks.

I'm visiting Tikehau in September 2015 (as a solo woman traveller), and would be grateful for info about accommodation on the island; and also about good excursions/activities to do while there. My interests include wildlife, snorkeling/kayaking, and local culture.

I've been looking at various accommodation options (I'm on a limited budget, especially as French Polynesia is such an expensive area to travel in). Can anyone give me recommendations/reasonably up-to-date info on places to stay? Pension Hotu seems a reasonable bet, but Chez Justine also sounds OK. (Resort accommodation is seriously out of my price range!) Various reviews for places on TripAdvisor seem to vary a lot, so I just wondered if anyone had stayed on Tikehau recently and could share their suggestions.

I'm only on Tikehau for a brief visit (4 days) so I'd like to make the most of my time there. That being the case, does anyone recommend particular trips out to the motu etc? Also which beaches are best for snorkeling and swimming?

Thanks for any info shared!

Namaste :-)

hi, here is my report from my last trip to tikehau

http://2palms.webs.com/frenchpolynesia2008.htm

not much to do, except pearl farm excursion, biking and kayaking and of course diving/snorkeling

Hi, jirikoo.
Thanks for your post and the link to your French Polynesia trip report... Interesting stuff. Like you, I will only be on Tikehau 3 days, so not a huge amount of time to explore. But snorkelling the lagoon and reef is high on my list, I don't scuba dive so snorkelling is my best option. I was drawn to visit Tikehau by Jacques Cousteau's comment that it was the place he'd seen more fish than any other site in the world... High praise indeed, from one of my childhood wildlife heroes.

Good to hear that the cost of living in FP is also not as sky-high as advertised. I'm not on a massive budget so trying to keep accommodation costs down, as I'd rather spend money on trips like snorkelling etc than on staying in some high-end place. Have booked Pension Justine for my stay there, which looks fine to me.

Thanks again for your input, much appreciated! :o)

its more than 10 years ago but we´ve had a graet time at Tikehau staying at Panau Logoon wtih is a still existing private pension. That time it was managed by Lorina, which was a wonderful host for us (it was around $50 per night for teh two of us). Just ask for a bike and find your own secrets on the atholl, don´t forget snorkeling gear or rent it at the divinglodge. You can snorkel in the klagoon and you can accompany boattours from the divcenter to the pass. The village and its poeple, the church and the shop (really small) as well were worth more than one visit. For me birdisland, a small uninhabitet Island in the the Lagoon was a great highlight too with its breeding fairy terns, redfooted boobies and noodies. Tikehau is a place you need to find your own adventures for may be 4 days may be up to a week but it has a really small range for you so bring a lot books as well... Have fun!

by the way: Chez Justine was beside Panau Lagoon and did look friendly and nice as well (we did rent our bikes there), Justine was a nice Lady

Oh that's really helpful, thank you! I plan to snorkel (I'm bringing my own snorkeling gear with me) and go on a lagoon trip, would love to see Bird Island too. Cycling and also kayaking would be great. I'm more than happy to find my own adventures... I meditate too, so a mix of exploring and chilling on the beach sounds ideal.

I liked the sound of Pension Justine, it's got some nice reviews on TripAdvisor and anywhere that allows camping always tends to be laid-back and friendly in my experience.

Thanks again for your input. I'm sooooooooo looking forward to this trip! :-)

Hi again. A last tipp: I remember that ist was not eays to book a tour to the lagoon with birdisland. They said, they need a minimum of five or so people as it is a little bit far from the village So ask at your first day to give them a chance to find other costumers from the resorts during your stay.

Thanks - that's really useful to know. I'll remember to ask when I get to the pension, hopefully they'll be able to fix me up with a boat trip out to the island at some point.

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.