Hijacking this thread! I'll be interested to hear the report of the OP. The OP is right -- it's very difficult to feel confident about choices to make in Fakarava and Rangiroa. Accommodations tend not to have web sites, or if they do, just facebook, or poor or no pictures or information. Few if any have listings on major booking sites, so you must email them all directly.
If you've never been like me, it's hard to have any sense of where to stay, north or south, off the "main" islands or not, lagoon or ocean side, etc. The islands look small but people talk as if it matters a great deal which end to stay on. Comments?
Before I pull the trigger on these options, It'd be great if anyone could raise any red or green flags. (Lots already booked for my June trip so limited choices)
Fakarava
Dive Op: Kaine Plongee (Vincent). In the past, people recommended Fakarava Dive Center and this seems to be the current version of it. Vincent endorsed in another thread. I think does not take the dive passes, does it matter? Does the location matter in terms of where they dive?
accommodation choices:
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Pension Paparara. Lagoon side, looks very nice. but 100 Euro more than the other options.
one alarming review.
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Fakarava Lodge (Sidonie). simple, most affordable. but is it on the coast? does that mater? and one very
alarming google review about her packing up a guest while out diving and kicking them out due double booking, possible food poisoning of another guest, and cockroaches.
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Relais Marama. seems even more simple, but slightly more expensive than Fakarava Lodge. shared bathroom but people say clean. also, is it on the coast or not?
Rangiroa
dive op: Six Passengers. had chosen them before seeing @
btscott's post above about them being "cool kids". Other threads had recommended them. issues?
accommodation choices:
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Bounty. Seems like the clear winner. any issues?
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Tahavine Dream. rather out of budget at > $250
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Le Merou Bleu. Looks my speed, with appealing hammocks and beach front bungalows. But at far north end of island. website only in french, owner seems to not speak english too well, and he asks for a bank transfer downpayment which no one else has and that's a bit of a PIA.
Diving
where do I need to make sure to dive, other than Tiputa Pass. And should I want to be diving several times on Tiputa Pass? Can the above ops be trusted to go to the best spot over 3 days of diving at each island?
Background and Concerns
I'm an experienced diver but going solo, so drift diving is a bit of a concern if I feel no one would have an eye out for me. This depends on current speed too, which is hard to gauge. Seems equipment is included with these ops. Should I bother to bring my own other than camera & computer?
In terms of stays, are mosquitos that bad? Cooking and food at places offering half board? Drinking water supply? Locations? Lagoon or Ocean side?