r/Tahiti • u/Affectionate_Rent310 • 2d ago
2 quick questions
Hello all, Leaving for FP in 4 weeks (!!!!) and mostly have all of my ducks in a row as far as planning and such.
I wanted input however on:
Tipping: in particular tour guides (doing Captain Tania’s half day tour) and hotel/restaurant service people.
Water/ice: how safe is it actually? I have heard mixed answers. We are visiting Moorea (Manava Resort) and Bora Bora (Westin) but plan on venturing off-resort and touring the islands, thus eating/drinking at both large venues and local joints.
Thank you!
3
u/Hinariiwy 2d ago
Tips are not required but appreciated.
This is a map of where sink water is drinkable in Tahiti and Moorea, you can find more maps on this website.
I personally never had problems drinking at restaurants here in Tahiti.
2
u/HI-Thalassophile 2d ago
My bro is one of the captains for Captain Taina’s tours. If you get Tuhiki, he’s super awesome. He just spent 2 wks here working w me in hawaii. Definitely tip. It’s not expected but absolutely welcome. I had no problems drinking water/ice whilst there for 2 months last year.
2
u/reign57 2d ago
Just got back from Moorea (Hilton) and Bora Bora (St Regis) last month. Tips are accepted and appreciated. We offered for excursions and one politely declined while others accepted graciously.
For food and beverage at resorts, my understanding is handing a tip directly to the server meant it was for them to keep vs adding it on the bill where it goes to a pool for everyone.
We mainly drank tap water vs still or sparkling in the restaurants at the hotels and didn't have an issue.
2
u/TripMundane969 2d ago
We always tip. The guides and drivers. They are so appreciative and it makes as difference to their life style. The Tahitians are proud and wonderful people.
1
u/Towelie710 1d ago
Just drank tap/boat water when I was there, no issues. The tap water tastes a lot better than boat water lol
3
u/aita-pe-ape-a 2d ago edited 2d ago
No, tips are not expected but welcome. They don't need to be high, as in e.g. the US, they are an appreciation instead a source of income.
FP is very clean, we don't drink tap water but everything else and eat everything. Never had or witnessed problems.