Safari Mario Moorea — Attraction in Moorea-Maiao

I recently had the opportunity to visit the breathtaking island of Moorea during my trip to Polynesia. While the natural beauty of the island left me in awe, the tour led by Mario, an Italian guide who has been residing in Polynesia for several years, was unfortunately a stark contrast to the enchanting surroundings. As a fellow Italian, I had high hopes for this tour, especially since it was conducted entirely in Italian for my group. Regrettably, the experience turned out to be highly disappointing due to a series of unfortunate behaviors and missteps by Mario, which I feel compelled to share.

From the very beginning, it was evident that we were not made to feel welcome. Our tour started with a lunch stop, during which Mario continuously rushed us to purchase and consume our food quickly, leaving us no time to enjoy the meal. This sense of urgency persisted throughout the tour, with Mario repeatedly pressuring the group to move quickly, even as we were trying to take in the stunning sights and immerse ourselves in the discovery of Moorea for the first time. It was annoying to observe that Mario was seemingly more interested in finishing the tour quickly than in providing us with a quality experience. His attitude suggested that he had little interest in engaging with us or providing a meaningful experience, despite the fact that we had paid for a service that we rightfully expected to be of a certain standard. His reluctance to answer our questions, which he often dismissed as trivial or self-evident, further added to the sense of disinterest. Mario's scornful expressions made it clear that our inquiries were unwelcome, leaving us feeling uncomfortable and unappreciated.

The tour reached a distressing low point when Mario began making a series of sexist, misogynistic and homophobic remarks. While he may have intended these comments as jokes, they were just inappropriate and not necessary. When our coordinator mispronounced the word "pompelmo” (in Italian), Mario made a crude joke implying she was performing a sexual act with her mouth. He went on to declare that he is a "free man" who avoids relationships because women only bring trouble to a man's life. He further used offensive slurs to describe women who seek out new partners after past marriages or relationships. Lastly, he referred to gay men as men who "like bananas”, failing to simply acknowledging them as homosexuals and recognising the basic decency and respect that every individual deserves, regardless of their sexual orientation.

It is unfortunate that such behavior marred what should have been a memorable experience. The beauty of Moorea was overshadowed by Mario's disrespectful comments. It is crucial to note, however, that not all aspects of the tour were negative. His two assistants, Ron and Pascal, were incredibly kind-hearted, respectful, and a credit to the tour. Their professionalism and warmth were a stark contrast to Mario's conduct, and they deserve...

Tour owner is a misogynist. Called to ask a simple question night prior to scheduled tour. He immediately raised his voice at me and was talking over me. Incredibly rude and condescending. Kept harassing me via text and email with his “logic” and calling me “dear” whilst, again, talking down to me. Also, left a very lengthy reply to my review on another forum calling me “ignorant” and “dear” in his self-righteous, condescending manner. I have traveled the world and worked with all people and cultures and NEVER have I been spoken to or treated this way. I was actually speechless and the man kept at it. Please go elsewhere as there is no customer service or even etiquette with this man. There is no seeing things from the customers perspective which was all I was asking for so we could come to a solution. He refused to acknowledge that I was given wrong info which was misleading, rather than take responsibility he chose to yell at me and continue to harass me. Literally...

We had a fantastic experience with Mario in Moorea. He was extremely punctual, friendly, and knowledgeable, sharing many interesting facts about the local culture and history throughout the tour. it felt like spending the day with a local friend. He also gave us great suggestions for activities to do on the island during the rest of our stay.

The car was very comfortable and clean, and he’s a safe and experienced driver, which made the whole experience relaxing and enjoyable.

Highly recommended for anyone visiting Moorea and looking for a reliable and insightful...