Paati Excursion - Léon — Attraction in Rangiroa

Without doubt this was the best excursion in our 3 weeks in French Polynesia. Léon and his crew were very professional, friendly, and cared for each guest and their needs. His yellow boat is new and fast, with plenty of space under the seats for wet things, and space behind the helm for dry bags/towels/etc. The trip to the islets with ancient fossilized coral was amazing, and included snorkeling in one of the channels, walking to the fossil area, an excellent lunch of BBQ fish, traditional poisson cru, coconut bread, and a variety of cold drinks (fruit juices, beer, and rum!). Snorkeling with the juvenile black-tip sharks was awesome, and I was glad to have binoculars to view all the seabirds. Later we drove around the Tiputa Pass looking for the playful dolphins, and went snorkeling in the nearby Aquarium area, which was very rewarding with huge schools of unicorn fish, tangs, surgeon fish, and needle fish.

Overall this was great value for a full day of fun with wonderful local Tahitians, and I wish all tour operators in this region...

Leon and his crew were fantastic! No doubt, the best excursion that I ever had in my life. Very professional and everyone is so friendly. The places they took us, were magnificent, and the lunch they have arranged on that remote island, was absolutely amazing. I can’t praise them enough, really. I have reached out to Leon and his crew twice, to come to my guesthouse to collect a pile of many items (5 kg.) that I have brought from Japan, but will not need anymore (including a brand new snorkelling mask), but unfortunately, despite they saying o.k, no one came to pick it up, so I ended up taking it with me all the way to Moorea, and I gave it away there. I did not want to leave it in the Rangi Pearl Lodge, where I have stayed, since they were not too nice… In any case, if you are planning to go to Rangiroa, the excursion of Leon, or Paati Excursion, as they call the company, I am sure it is the best one in Rangiroa. They stay until late in the water, way after all other boats takes their clientele back to shore. I admire...

The only constructive feedback for Leon would be to adjust a bit his permanent jokes ( sometimes on the verge of being offensive, by constantly imitating some customers ) and to try to be more attentive and not single out some female customers by insisting they dance at the end of the trip, when he and one of his team mates are playing their instruments. Maintaining a jovial and fun ambiance is one thing, constant teasing and not always appropriate jokes are another thing, as not everyone has the same sense of humor.

Other that that, overall great day trip - highlights being as other reviews mentioned: punctuality, delicious cooked meal ( though mixing multiple beers, one bottle of wine and finishing one bottle of rum knocked down a couple of the participants in our group, in a powerful mix with being in full sun one entire day ), variety of activities and their own private motu which is kept very clean and...