Sandrine
Sales Manager
In a few words
Vahinetua is my Tahitian name which means, the woman of the ocean…
Born in Tahiti to parents from the Tuamotus islands, I have spent my entire childhood swimming in the lagoon of Tikehau, Island that took my heart forever and where my ancestors grew up. Coming also from a marquesian and an Austral Islands family, no wonder Polynesia runs through my veins and that I am so proud to share my culture, my joy of life, our traditional songs, our dances and our well known warm hospitality…
After a short stay in Hawaii, the call of my fenua (country) was too strong and I decided to comeback in Tahiti to reunite with my origins.
I first worked with my sister, owner of the Tikehau Village guesthouse and then I joined the M/S Paul Gauguin crew. Strong of my experience aboard the ship, I’ve decided to bring my support to the « Cruise Department » of one of the biggest travel agency in Tahiti.
I joined the Tahiti Cruise and Vacation team in 2016, after having worked for an online travel agency for 10 years. My daily routine is to offer our guests the sun, the lagoon and a daylife dream keeping in mind the same goal: make you want to visit our beautiful paradise to experience our islands’ perfumes, our monoï of tiare tahiti, get into the vibes of the toere and the ukulele, moove your hips on a « tamure », taste the famous « poisson cru », dive in our turquoise lagoons and bring back with you beautiful memories.. and who knows, you might want to come back !
Your ideal stay in French Polynesia?
2 days in Tahiti to rest from your trip and to walk around the market of Papeete, maybe to spot some nice souvenirs to bring back home? And if you are not too tired, you can join a Jeep tour to visit the wonderful valley of La Maroto.
4 days in Moorea to visit the Belvedere and taste the delicious homemade tropical fruits jam. If you come between June and October, you might get the chance to encounter with some whales and dolphins. Join a « Lagoon Tour » with Felicie (Mahana Tour), and enjoy her famous picnic lunch on a private motu (islet).
2 days in Tahaa where the « coral garden » is waiting for you, swim with colorful fishes, come and discover the Vanilla Island and its white sandy motu...
3 days in Bora Bora, the pearl of the Pacific, lay back and enjoy a stay in an overwater bungalow, you will be amazed by the most beautiful lagoon of the world…
3 days in my home Island, Tikehau: this little paradise where you can have the chance to swim with manta rays in 6 meters deep. You will adore to walk on the pink sandy beach surrounding the islets.
Your favorite place in French Polynesia?
I let you have a guess.. I also love Moorea where I once, wanted to live but I finally choose Tahiti.
Your favorite restaurant?
Our restaurants are so different that it is difficult to pick just one but I would say « La Plage de Maui », laid on a white sandy beach in Tahiti Iti’s peninsula. You can enjoy there lobsters, shrimps cooked with coconut milk and curry sauce and taste the famous platax with ginger.