Testimonials
Te Mana Travels is passionate about providing our guests a first-class experience through the islands of Tahiti.
Here’s what Some of our Amazing guests think…
Tahitian Island discovery!
We have used Jennifer two separate times for our trip planning to Tahiti. We have also recommended her to friends and family who have also used her. I can’t say enough good things about how well she planned our vacation according to our wants and needs. She took all the guesswork out of traveling and we’d use her again in a heartbeat. The biggest advantage of using this service was her “boots on the ground”. She is living in Tahiti and helped us both trips when we had a couple snags with an airline cancelation and a hotel issue. Even helped us so much that the hotel gave us dinner credits due to her contacting them on our behalf. Thank you so much, Jennifer. Can’t wait to return to Tahiti again.
— Susan Delahunty, September 2024
Tahiti 40th anniversary celebration!
Our 40th wedding anniversary was simply exquisite. We usually self-plan all our trips but felt Tahiti and our 40th deserved a bit more care. We then met Jennifer and Te Mana Travels. She provided us with far more than we ever imagined. Every single recommendation regarding resorts, food, activities, and travel was precise.
After initial web contact Jennifer met with us to get to know each other a bit, gather our wishes, and understand our budget. She followed up with a few different itineraries which we researched and dissected. We met a few more times to nail down the final trip agenda. Jen was always very professional and super responsive even when she was away for a few days. Her local knowledge of excursions and activities is impeccable. We couldn’t have had a better experience. Her suggestions regarding airport travel, VIP service, and lounge access were absolute and very appreciated.
We thank Jennifer for helping us celebrate our 40th anniversary. She designed the trip of our lifetime that will never forget. We highly recommend Te Mana travels and Jennifer to anyone planning a trip to a French Polynesia. Thank you for everything, Jennifer.
— Kurt and Angie Patterson, July 2024
Catamaran life at its finest with these two!
We had an awesome experience working with Te Mana Travels! Jennifer coordinated a great trip for us aboard Lilac, a Bali 4.2 catamaran. She gave us great advice on an itinerary for our trip and coordinated everything for us and hand-selected our captain and hostess for the trip. Our captain Olivier did a great job getting us around the islands and making sure we had as much smooth sailing as possible. He was easy going and a real pleasure to hang out with. Our hostess Simona was simply amazing. She was always attentive, and friendly. The meals she prepared for us onboard were incredible! It was really nice not having to cook our own meals while on the boat.
A highlight of our trip, other than just being in French Polynesia on a catamaran, was the excursion she set us up on with Water Color Sailing in Tahaa. We spent the day with the owner, Nui, and he took us all around the island in his speed boat. He took us to some awesome snorkeling spots, and we had a traditionally cooked beach lunch on a private Motu that was just beautiful. Nui even pulled out his ukulele and sang a few songs while we relaxed on the beach. I highly recommend taking the day trip with Nui if you can.
On the last night of our trip, Jennifer had a traditional Tahitian singing group/band come to the boat and perform. I was hesitant at first that this was going to be too much of a touristy thing when she told me about it, but it turned out to be super fun. We all enjoyed it immensely while sipping cocktails on the front of the boat and watching the sun set in the background behind the singers.
— Troy Crawford, October 2024
I can’t say enough positives about our experience with Jennifer and Te Mana Travels. Our 20th wedding anniversary was simply magical as TMT put together the perfect tropical getaway to celebrate ourselves.
I did a lot of initial research and was trying to set this up myself for some weeks before realizing I was in way over my head and needed assistance from someone that knew Tahiti extensively. Jennifer took the time to listen to my needs and ideas. Afterwards she applied her own experience and came up with the perfect itinerary for our two-week tour of a few Tahitian islands. I gave her our budget and we stayed within it perfectly while maximizing our dollars to visit Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, and Taha’a.
She was professional and helpful whenever we had any questions and prompted us to reply or follow up with me as needed. The level of detail was spot on from the suggested airport layover times (LAX is so frustrating) to the morning buffets which were a hit and allowed us to sample different resorts’ offerings easily. Finally, her personal touches were apparent with some built-in spa appointments and multiple course dinners.
This trip of a lifetime was a resounding success with the help of Jennifer and TMT. We will be reminiscing about our days of watching the turquoise water lap up on the shore as we sip our Manutea rum drinks for years to come. We would recommend TMT to anyone wanting to plan memorable Tahitian trips that your family and friends will be talking about for a long time. Thank you for everything, Jennifer and TMT.
— Ken Rowlan, June 2024
Jennifer Westfall of Te Mana Travels is truly an expert agent for Polynesia travel. We used her to book a catamaran for a week to Bora Bora and back with hotel accommodations and air transportation on each end in May, 2024. Great crew. Everything was as represented: time, distances, quality of accommodations were spot on. Excellent snorkeling tour on Bora Bora and the Air Tahiti Nui lounge in Tahiti was a nice perk. Highly recommended.
— Steve Strauss, May 2024
Our Family trip to Tahaa and Bora Bora could not have been any better or any smoother. It was the dream of a lifetime to be able to go with my children and their spouses for this nine day vacation and have EVERYTHING planned to perfection. While I thought that nothing could be more perfect than the 80 degree temperature with the great ocean breeze making it feel like 70ish or the clear blue lagoon water being an inviting 80 degrees or the 5-star accommodations in the grass covered bungalows sitting on stilts right in the water. I found that having a travel agent like Jennifer Westfall from the Tahiti Legends agency was equally as PERFECT! Jennifer was so thorough and efficient to plan EVERYTHING where we were treated like royalty at every point in our adventure and didnt have to wait long for any transfer or anything at all! She even texted and stayed in touch through our travel to ensure everything was smooth. I can’t thank Jennifer enough for such a well-planned and thought-out vacation for us!
— Kent Murdock, May 2024
Great trip. Every detail was planned for us and there were no hiccups. I would give ten stars if I could.
— Darin Knudson, May 2024
Tahitian sunset time!
Jennifer at Te Mana Travels seamlessly helped our Tahitian dreams come true. Great communication in preparing our itinerary and timely responses during our stays made us feel like a family friend kept a watchful eye over our us and all our Polynesian adventures.
— Rob Strasberg, January 2024
I was fortunate to be on the Te Mana Women’s Tuomotu Island Adventure trip, Oct. 25–Nov. 1, 2023. It was an amazing adventure, the result of the detailed planning and seamless support from our charming organizer and guide Jennifer, the owner of Te Mana Travel. She went out of her way to make sure that any concerns were immediately addressed (whether dietary, accommodation or activity-related) and jumped in to help me with travel arrangements for a 3-day Moorea trip before the tour, including transfers, ferries and hotels. She also was right there to help change travel arrangements when one person unexpectedly had to leave early from the tour.
I went into the trip with no real expectations, but came away with so many memories that will last a lifetime. Between four peaceful nights on the catamaran in Rangiroa with a wonderful group of women, an unbelievable cook and fully outfitted cabin, and three relaxing nights on Fakarava in beach bungalows, we explored! We had great barbecues on pristine beaches, saw sea life and spectacular coral reefs on a grand scale while snorkeling, and were able to completely escape from our normal hectic lives. I hope to one day do it again with Te Mana Travels and Jennifer.
— C. G. Schaefer, November 2023
Tahitian Islands family charter!
Kodie Redongo:
Wow!! Once in a lifetime experience. Highly recommend, especially for first time travelers. Jennifer, Homai, Dorothy and the rest of the individuals from all the side excursions and tours were very friendly and welcoming. The amenities and activities on and off the boat met far past expectations. 10/10 we’ll definitely be back!
Keanu Redongo:
One of the best vacations I’ve ever taken! Jennifer, Homai and Dorothy were amazing hosts. From the food to how everything was timed out, everything was more than what I expected! Definitely a bucket list vacation and would most definitely come back! 6 out of 5 starts😊
Chad Redongo:
A once in a lifetime experience. We were greeted by Dorathy, Homai, and Jen who immediately made us feel at home. The views were unbelievable, the food was amazing, and we were constantly entertained. Highly recommended, would go again in a heartbeat.
Joyce Redongo:
AMAZING! Thank you Jen, Dorothy and Hotmai! I would definitely recommend Te Mana. Had a wonderful time and thanks again!!
— The Redongo Family, November 2023
Wow! No words to encompass how wonderful this trip is. From Jennifer’s kindness and hospitality to French Polynesia’s beautiful landscapes, water, and culture. If you’re looking for a way to experience it all, this is the way to go. Not to mention how delicious all the food was! Thank you Jennifer and Te Mana Travels!
— Lesley G, November 2023
Tahitian culture & private island lunch!
An amazing experience! Friendly staff, and breathe taking views. We had the pleasure of meeting locals, learning about the heritage and culture. Swimming with sharks and enjoying the local food was amazing. Jennifer definitely knows how to plan a trip make sure you book your travels to Tahiti with her. Thank you again for a life changing trip!
— Dustin Hare, November 2023
I cannot say enough about Jennifer. She was absolutely wonderful to work with. She helped make our dream vacation come true. She was quick to respond to any questions we had (there were many) and give us great recommendations. Jennifer went above and beyond to help us make sure everything was perfect. It was our first time using someone to help plan a vacation and she made this such a positive experience. Thank you Jennifer!
— Theresa Bailey, October 2023
For all those who already know French Polynesia and want to discover it even more in depth, and for all others who would like to travel there to discover it, Te Mana Travels and Jennifer’s talent will make your stay a sum of unforgettable moments. My 5th stay in Polynesia, the 1st with my family, perfectly organized by Jennifer who loves Polynesia, it shows!
— Romain Darcos, October 2023
Jennifer was extremely helpful and made my dream trip come to fruition. She helped me plan every step of this trip for many, many months. She offered recommendations and gave me her opinion when asked. I’m extremely lucky to have found her. I highly recommend her for anyone planning a trip to French Polynesia! Thank you again Jennifer, everything was perfect!
— Jennifer Motto, September 2023
What a holiday. It was a true bucket list time for us. From the first moment of communication with Jennifer, it was seamless. We stayed at two resorts and had many taxi transfers as well, on time every time. Jennifer is a fantastic cook and an extremely personable hostess. All of us are sailors and with the hire of a catamaran, skippered by Richard it made our sailing holiday the best experience. We would highly recommend Te Mana Travels for your Tahitian holiday. We will be back next year.
— Anthea Broad, August 2023
We hit the jackpot when we booked with Jennifer at Te Mana Travels. She looked at our specific wants and needs while traveling to Tahiti and created an itinerary that was perfect! We flew into Tahiti, had a private driver take us to the hotel. The next morning we were greeted by a private driver who took us to the airport. We then flew to another island and took a boat to Ta’haa. We stayed on a private island at a resort and had a very romantic, quiet stay in an overwater bungalow. While on this island we did an excursion on the main island of Ta’haa. We visited a Pearl farm, vanilla farm, rum factory and did an atv tour. It was the perfect mix of history, education and fun. We would definitely recommend a tour of the main island while visiting. The resort was beautiful and had a coral garden that was so unique.
After a few days we flew back to the island of Mo’orea and stayed a few nights at the Hilton. We didn’t choose OWB this time and I’m happy about that choice. It seemed a little busier and had a restaurant in the middle. Not as quiet as our previous stay. We loved the land bungalow with private pool. We did an atv tour on this island as well and it was so different than the other island. We would highly recommend it. We then took a ferry back to the main island and flew home.
Jennifer was amazing. I couldn’t recommend her more. It was a perfect trip of a lifetime.
— Susan Delahunty, June 2023
Jennifer of Te Mana Travels put together a most amazing trip for our group of five couples for our one week adventure on board a Lagoon 62 catamaran. The only responsibility on this trip was to not fall into such a relaxed state that I forgot what part of my body I placed sunscreen on and where I hadn’t. Just amazing snorkeling, brilliant coral, vibrant colored fish and bathtub temperature water set you up for the three healthy champion meals a day, all prepared by your chef. Games at night with family or friends and early to bed because you would hate to miss the sunrise the following day. My only complaint is that I wish our one week catamaran trip would have been two weeks. However, who could really complain about the Le Taha’a resort and their bungalows over the water. Everything just awesome! Then again, the catamaran allows you to see so many changing landscape and water gardens that in my opinion, this is the best way to go. What an adventure! Thank you Te Mana Travels!
— John Gonzalez DDS, June 2023
This was our first boat charter, of any kind, and it was everything that we had hoped it would be. The crew was top notch, the excursions were well planned, the catamaran comfortably slept five couples and the coordination of everything, from Te Mana Travels was excellent. The result was a one-of-a-kind, beautiful, stimulating, carefree vacation in a stunning part of the world.
— Ann Vry, June 2023
My husband and I just returned from two weeks in the paradise of French Polynesia. It was an amazing trip thanks to Jennifer at Te Mana Travels who coordinated all of the details of our trip! We spent three relaxing days at the lovely Intercontinental Hotel in Papeete, Tahiti before boarding a plane and flying to Raiatea where our catamaran awaited us. We spent seven glorious days sailing around the islands of French Polynesia. There were stops for island tours, snorkeling, a barbeque on a motu and even a swim with black tip reef sharks! It was a perfect itinerary and the meals cooked for us on board were so fresh and delicious. And to top off our once-in-a-lifetime trip, we flew to Bora Bora after leaving the catamaran and stayed in a dreamy over water bungalow at the Le Bora Bora Resort. We loved every bit of our trip and can't thank Te Mana Travels enough for putting it all together. We hope we get to go back and do it all over again someday!
— Cathy Waltrip, June 2023
My husband and I and eight of our friends just returned from an incredible 7-day catamaran charter organized by Te Mana Travels. The whole experience was exceptional! Beautiful islands, Raitea, Tahaa, Huahine with stops near small motus’ for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding. Our all-female crew was awesome and we had the freshest, most delicious meals! Te Mana Travels and Jennifer Westfall seamlessly organized our full stay in the Tahitian Islands and we are so grateful for her support, professionalism and local knowledge!! An unforgettable trip!
— Christie Chambers, June 2023
This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! A trip of a lifetime! A big thank you to Te Mana Travels and Jennifer for making everything so special.
— Emmy Trudell, June 2023
Long overdue post. Jennifer arranged our trip to Bora Bora and she did a grand job. I made a lot of changes and she accommodated all of them. She was very attentive and answered all my calls and questions. Our trip was fabulous and I would recommend her and Te Mana travels wholeheartedly!
— Ro Ash, June 2023
This was the trip of a lifetime, thanks to Jen! We spent a week on the catamaran with two other families (close friends of ours) and Jen organized daily activities for both adults and kids. We had four kids on the trip ranging in ages from 10-16 years old and I’ve never seen my daughter so happy on a vacation before! It was the perfect mix of adventure (snorkeling, helmet diving, hiking, rides on the wake board, diving for oyster pearls, vanilla farm visits, paddle boarding…the list goes on) and also relaxation and amazing meals. Jen took the time to ask what each of us wanted from our time in French Polynesia and used that to create the ideal itinerary. She also accommodated our different arrival days and departures, recommending places to stay and things to do before the catamaran trip started. I can’t recommend Te Mana Travels highly enough — book your trip NOW!
— April W, June 2023
Don't hesitate! Hire Jennifer Westfall of Te Mana Travels if you want the perfect French Polynesian vacation.
I first reached out to Jennifer in a panic just two weeks prior to or planned departure for a 7-day catamaran trip with five couples to celebrate my partner’s birthday. We had a captain, but no chef, and I had just a vague idea of where we wanted to sail and the names of a few restaurants, but no firm plans. After a delightful 30 minute phone conversation, Jennifer took the reins and took care of everything. She is exquisitely knowledgeable about the islands and knows how to navigate the challenges of small restaurants and businesses that close frequently, especially on Sundays.
His birthday (a Sunday!) was the perfect day. She started it by getting us off the boat in the morning for a private guided snorkeling tour of The Coral Gardens, followed by a delicious bbq lunch on a private motu. We then arrived back to the boat which was beautifully decorated with hand woven Polynesian flowers. Our evening began with three local musicians to serenade us during cocktail hour, flower crowns presented in a birthday ceremony, and a phenomenal chefs dinner. The chef was so lovely and talented we invited her back the next night. It was a perfect day.
The rest of the week we enjoyed trips to a wonderful vanilla farm, a pearl farm, and incredible dinners on Taha'a, Raiatea, and Bora Bora. All reservations made by Jennifer. She also directed us to some great local artists who became fast friends.
In additions, Jennifer was amazingly helpful securing additional provisions (food and adult beverages) that we could not obtain from our charter company. She must have made three or four trips to the markets before our arrival to secure some of the crazy things we asked for. She also communicated with the charter company in advance of our trip and met us at the marina on day one.
The trip was ideal and I was completely care free. Most importantly, besides being a serene and lovely human, Jennifer's fee for all of this help was modest. She truly loves the islands and enjoys sharing them with those who are lucky enough to visit. She would certainly help you experience French Polynesia by land or by sea.
Once again. Don’t hesitate. Jennifer will save the day.
— Holly Gunn, June 2023
For all those who already know French Polynesia and want to discover it even more in depth, and for all others who would like to travel there to discover it, Te Mana Travels and Jennifer's talent will make your stay a sum of unforgettable moments. My 5th stay in Polynesia, the 1st with my family, perfectly organized by Jennifer who loves Polynesia, it shows!
— Romain Darcos, December 2023
We had one of the best vacation experiences we have ever had. My wife and I celebrated our 25th anniversary in French Polynesia. We were recommended Jennifer Westfall through social media. She took the time to listen to our vacation goals and hopes. She brought her experience and expertise and helped to plan the perfect vacation for us. We stayed at fabulous resorts with bungalows over the water. We went on an awesome ATV ride on Moorea and could see the ocean from the mountain. We snorkeled with black tip sharks and manta rays in Bora Bora. I dove with eagle rays. We dined at fancy and delicious restaurants. It’s everything we hoped for and Jennifer helped us through every step. Cannot recommend her enough. Mauruuru!
— Jacob Curtis, February 2023
This was the trip of a lifetime, thanks to Jen! We spent a week on the catamaran with two other families (close friends of ours) and Jen organized daily activities for both adults and kids. We had four kids on the trip ranging in ages from 10-16 years old and I’ve never seen my daughter so happy on a vacation before! It was the perfect mix of adventure (snorkeling, helmet diving, hiking, rides on the wake board, diving for oyster pearls, vanilla farm visits, paddle boarding…the list goes on) and also relaxation and amazing meals. Jen took the time to ask what each of us wanted from our time in French Polynesia and used that to create the ideal itinerary. She also accommodated our different arrivals days and departures, recommending places to stay and things to do before the catamaran trip started. I can’t recommend Te Mana Travels highly enough — book your trip NOW!
—April Watson, December 2022
I worked with Jen at Te Mana Travels to create the perfect 3-night charter as part of a larger itinerary throughout the Society Islands. Jen is a pleasure to work with. She really knows her stuff, she's an excellent hostess and sailor, and she is connected with amazing local guides and experiences. The charter with Te Mana was truly a highlights of our journey. Mauruuru roa, Jen!
—Kathy Rubio, 2022
We arrived on a very rainy day to smiling faces and a adventure ahead. Jennifer and Captain Olivier we gracious and caring with everything on our charter ( our group had a few older gals lol) the tour of pearl farm , vanilla farm, snorkeling at the coral garden and the motu where such an experience. We had wonderful foods of the islands prepared 3 times a day by Jennifer and had the local entertainment arrive on our charter! That was a special treat. Exploring these beautiful islands on a charter is the best way to soak it all in. We all felt our Charter was the highlight of our trip. Hope see more again someday.
—Monica Pino, 2022
Jennifer at Te Mana Travels did an extraordinary job planning and executing a month-long trip to Tahiti (including the Society & Tuamotu archipelagos) for me and a friend. Not only did she get us booked on some extraordinary excursions with fabulous local guides but she also acted swiftly and effectively when a unforeseeable disruption occurred which required that she completely rebook an entire week of our itinerary with only three days notice. I would work with her again and would recommend her without hesitation to anyone looking for a trip to French Polynesia that goes beyond the ordinary.
— L. C. Putnam, 2022
I can’t express enough how wonderful of a time me and my friends had with Te Mana! Jennifer was an exceptional host and assisted our group of six with the entire process of booking the catamaran and figuring out how to make our vacation a very special one. She was very communicative while we were planning our trip. She provided great recommendations about where to go, what to do, what activities would be most interesting to our group. And once we got to Tahiti, she made our vacation easy and relaxing. We didn’t have to worry about anything! She and our captain Tomas were very sensitive to our group's needs and always had an activity prepared so that we could have the very best time at each island. We snorkeled as much as we wanted, we learned so much about the Tahitian culture, and made many friends along the way. We really felt like a little family on Jennifer’s catamaran. The entire trip feels like a dream thinking back on it now. We had the vacation of a lifetime with Jennifer and Tomas. We highly recommend booking with Jennifer for your next Tahiti adventure!
—Amanda Lee, 2022
A trip of a lifetime! Our friends and I booked a Tahiti charter with Te Mana Travels for late September. We stayed on the six person catamaran for 8 days/7 nights. I originally was weary about going because it is a more luxurious trip. However, this trip was so, so worth it! Prior to the trip, we worked closely with Jennifer Westfall to make sure we had all our dietary needs, excursions, and documentation planned and ready. She was easily accessible and very detailed to make us feel comfortable with going on the trip. She helped customize our itinerary to fit our needs as well as planed activities for the rest of our stay in French Polynesia, since we stayed five days after the charter.
Jennifer was our host, and Thomas was our captain for the entire charter. The charter included travel between three islands: Raiatea, Taha’a, and Bora Bora (your pick). Each day was packed with activities! We were able to snorkel 2-4 times each day at each of the islands. Some snorkels we rode out with our captain on a dinghy, while others were organized with snorkel tour companies. The reefs are so alive and beautiful, and you easily encounter many cool fish, various rays, and reef sharks.
While in Bora Bora, we had tweaked our itinerary so that three of us could scuba dive. Jennifer had organized our dive (scheduling, on-day pick up), which made the whole process much easier. On land, we had the opportunity to explore private motus, a vanilla farm, a pearl farm, and local distilleries. I highly recommend getting drinks during happy hour at Bloody Mary’s (so so good!!). We definitely wouldn't have been able to see all that Tahiti had to offer if it wasn't for Te Mana Travels. They definitely knew all the cool spots and made sure we were in the water most of the time.
Lastly, I highly recommend working with Jennifer and having Thomas as captain! Jennifer made us feel at home and cooked delicious Tahitian meals that I miss so much. Two of us don't eat fish typically, but vouched that the fish dishes Jennifer cooked were amazing! Thomas is also very fun and socialized with us throughout the trip. He gladly took us everywhere, and would wait patiently in the dinghy while we snorkeled for hours (sorry Thomas!).
Thank you Jennifer and Te Mana Travels for a trip I’ll never forget. Still dreaming about Tahiti...until next time!
—Carol Chen, September 2022
Just back from an incredible adventure with Te Mana Travels! Jennifer, (Te Mana Travels) organized our Land, and Sea, (Catamaran) Tour to complete perfection! She works with phenomenal tour guides, cooks, and captains, that give great insight into Polynesian history, and culture. We had beautifully presented, and delicious, local cuisine everyday. Amazing snorkeling excursions with rays, teams of colorful fish, sharks, and beautiful corals. The vanilla farm, and Pearl farm visits were also wonderful. Everything was perfectly planned so that we could just relax, or stay busy. Just a word of caution…Jennifer’s love for the islands is contagious…I can’t wait to go back!
—Heidi McMurry, Tahiti Land & Sea Escape, November 2022
I don’t know where to start. What an amazing experience! Jennifer Westfall goes well beyond the expected for anyone who books with her. She chose an amazing and handpicked resort. The food was superb with a large assortment that can satisfy even the most finicky of taste buds. The selected tours give you the most knowledge available. We snorkeled several times a day at different locations, trying drift snorkeling and enjoying some of the best locations of coral and beautiful colourful fish. The chosen guides are some of the best in that region who share their knowledge freely. Our catamaran was spacious with many more adventures awaiting. We saw Eagle Rays, Pilate Whales, Sting Rays, Dolphins, Black tipped sharks. Our captain, Manea and super star hostess, Noeline never ceased to amaze. If I only take one more vacation, it would be a return to a tour with Jennifer. 😎
—Sandi Provost, November 2022
Just spent a week in paradise with Te Mana Travels traveling through the Tahitian Islands! If you have ever wanted to go to Tahiti and explore all the islands have to offer, book a trip with Te Mana Travels! Jennifer Westfall knows the islands, the culture and the people. She booked the best snorkeling spots and cultural excursions for our Women’s Tahitian Escape. Her passion and love of Tahiti shows through every little detail of the itinerary. I would definitely book another trip!
—Elizabeth Watson, November 2022, Women’s Tahitian Escape
I am excited to give a review for Te Mana Travels and Jen and talk about the excellent experience I had in the Society Islands in French Polynesia.
The Women’s Tahitian Retreat included Jen and ten others, who weren’t all acquainted prior to trip. She created an environment where we could relax and not have to think about any logistics. Everyone was open to the adventures she put before us. I would have described us as high maintenance, but Jen made it look easy, no doubt she was working tirelessly behind the curtain.
We had a tour around (literally) the island of Huahine by boat and visited many locations by Jeep.
We snorkled multiple times each day. I was amazed to see the variety of colors and sizes of clams growing in the reef. They looked like exotic flowers offering nectar and withdrew into their shell if there was unexpected movement (by the visiting humans).
While on the catamaran and speed boat we were visited by dolphins, sharks, manta rays, eagle rays and on the last morning pilot whales!
On the catamaran the food was fit for a Queen, thank you Noelene and Captain Manea, I felt very pampered. Many in our group of ten women expressed pre-trip that we didn't like raw fish. On day one we were served Poisson Cru and after watching the preparation of it we tasted it. Every one of us was converted. We ate a variety of delicious fish all week and Poisson Cru many times!
I enjoyed learning about how vanilla is grown and harvested and had to take some home.
At Champon Pearl Farm on island of Taha’a, I found the process of cultivating pearls very interesting especially how black-lip pearl oyster are chosen to produce the variety of beautiful colors. Of course, I had to take some pearls home, too!
One of the best parts about the trip was that most of our time was spent in areas where there were few, if any, tourists thanks to Jen's knowledge, planning and relationship with locale.
Polynesian music and dancing...I could write a book about all our adventures and time enjoyed getting to know everyone. It truly was an experience of a lifetime.
Nui maururu.
—Pamela Ossorio, November 2022, Women’s Tahitian Escape
Te Mana Travels and Jennifer arranged itineraries that checked all boxes: cultural immersion, relaxation, “a surprise” on-board evening’s entertainment that added perspective to island life. Jen and Sebastian, our captain are both such lovely people. Our time spent on-board getting to know them was as much a highlight as the docent land tours and immersion experiences, which were phenomenal, our guides were exceptional. The people, cultural richness and traditions of French Polynesia are a treasure most visitors barely experience. We love that TeMana Travels supports FP by curating tour packages supporting local island life. I am native Hawaiian and recall a childhood spent in similar verdant valleys and turquoise waters abundant with life, and evenings with neighbors for “kanikapila,” “to make music” late into the evening. What an amazing trip this has been. We’ll be back for sure, Jen. I believe you knew it before I did.
Me ke aloha pumehana, ame a hui hou! •Te aroha ‘ia rahi! •À bientôt!
—Jana Myers & Ohana, July 2022
We enjoyed amazing local food, beautifully prepared, turquoise water and views that are unsurpassed, and unique snorkeling/swimming options every day. We were also treated to interesting local guides and experiences on the islands we visited. But the highlight of the trip was the incredible service, attention to detail, and local knowledge that was shared by our host, Jennifer, and our captain, Manea. They made us feel so welcomed and cared for the entire six days. The combination of local adventures, physical activities, relaxation, wonderful food and great conversation in a spectacular location made this the trip of a lifetime. If anyone has an interest in or curiosity about Tahiti, you must consider chartering a catamaran Te Mana Travels.
— Becky Burad, June 2022
One of the best experiences on a trip I’ve ever had! Jennifer is an overwhelming wonder at hospitality. She was able to understand and exceed all of our group’s expectations for this trip. We were able to see and experience more than we would have ever imaged. With this style of travel we got to enjoy the culture and culinary aspects of French Polynesia with an excellent host and captain. I could not have asked for anything more and we are already planning our next adventure with them!
— Jessica Sullivan, June 2022
If you’ve never vacationed by catamaran or charter (and I hadn’t), I don’t think you can overemphasize the importance of a host and boat captain. We had the dream team. Jennifer Westfall cares for her guests like cherished family members. The menus were uniformly fantastic, varied, and felt like they were curated to go with the days’ activities. The activities when outsourced were local experts in everything from ecology and environment to traditional culture — every single one fantastic. Manea our captain was equally great. His love of his country, his knowledge of the sea, his eye for spotting wildlife, and his sense of humor was the perfect fit.
Our last day is a case study in the richness of living that may make my heretofore pleasant life now unbearable.
We woke up and had another perfect breakfast — the full moon over the water, table loaded with fresh tropical fruit, yogurt and granola, French toast, hot coffee, and sparkling water.
Snorkeling at Joe Dessin beach, perhaps the best beach on Taha’a coral gardens, at the edge of a striking wall that drops off the turquoise and into the blue. We were the only people there!
Returned to the boat, drank champagne and had sautéed local fish sandwiches with sweet potatoes and salad.
Post lunch we traveled to a pearl farm where they explained how they grow the pearls, how pearls are classified, and when they get to eat the oysters. Their jewelry was fantastic and I’ve been prettier ever since.
— Jeff Groh, June 2022
This was truly a trip of a lifetime. I loved every bit of it. Beautiful scenery, great accommodations, warm welcoming people, coral reef snorkeling, tours, history, culture, music, dance…I could go on and on.
Jennifer Westfall created a wonderful experience for us. She planned many excursions and activities, but always left the option to just stay back and relax. Beth Hill made our trip planning a breeze, even in the middle of a pandemic. She put together our group of women, each of us only knowing one or two others. I arrived in Tahiti with one old friend and left with ten new ones. What an adventure!
— Sue Sampson, November 2021, Women’s Tahitian Escape
Te Mana Travels is a unique way to explore and discover the Islands of Tahiti — allowing one to truly immerse themself into the Polynesian culture. The careful curation of Jennifer’s itineraries allow you to truly see it all, no matter rain or shine, and is the perfect balance of adventurous activity and serene relaxation. Expect nothing less than barefoot luxury the moment you step onboard, from white glove service to indulgent sea-to-table meals to exclusive excursions with local experts. You are not seeing French Polynesia if you’re not seeing it with Te Mana Travels.
— Cait Langley with Tahiti Travel Planners/Go Tahiti.com, November 2021
Jennifer is the ultimate professional who knows how to take care of guests and share her passion for French Polynesia. Totally customized itinerary, she's very open to what we wanted to do. Jennifer was very responsive to all our questions pre-trip regarding accommodations, activities, transfers, and airfare. Whether it was the visit to the vanilla farm, pearl farm, we learned so much about the history and culture of the islands. Snorkeling in all the beautiful locations while being transported on our 45-foot catamaran. Our meals were fresh, local, and super delicious. Wonderful engagement with her crew, Cait and Captain Richard. Our last night onboard was magical as we listened to two fabulous singers and musicians right in the back of the boat. They even attempted to teach us some fun dance moves. My husband are already planning our next trip. Thank you so much, Jennifer!!
— Nikki Roy, November 2021
Really need some modern day Ernest Hemingway to do this justice! Now that I’m home and people say, “Tell me all about Tahiti!”, I’m right back on that catamaran and waking up to the smell of NoNo’s coffee and the sound of the water lapping at the side of the boat. You want to lay there for awhile but the day holds so much you want to get to it! Snorkeling that makes you feel like you’re in a world sized aquarium, local tours led by people who love where they live and are so happy you are there, they are practically glowing. But plenty of downtime too! After lunch find a spot on the hull or top deck with a glass of rose’ for a little sun, some reading or a nap. A luxury I rarely have time for at home! A vacation like this is a once in a lifetime for me. So do it right. Don’t Google. Let Jennifer plan it all, sit back and enjoy the local musicians and dancers and a little cocktail. Just make sure your mixer doesn’t already have alcohol in it. 😜
— Stephanie Naifeh, November 2021, Women’s Tahitian Escape
What an incredible week! Te Mana Travels (Jennifer) provided us with an experience of a lifetime. Her patience and knowledge when helping us with the initial planning was so appreciated. Her attention to detail and communication were superb. We’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many parts of the world but our week on this charter was so unique. Such a perfect mix of relaxation, gorgeous surroundings and amazing food and cultural activities. Jennifer’s love of French Polynesia and its gracious people shine through in every way. We’re already planning our next trip back!
— Marianne Emanuel, October 2021
Superlatives cannot adequately describe just how wonderful our Te Mana charter was. From our crew, to the comfortable accommodations, to the outstanding food, the onshore excursions, the lush tropical scenery, and the unreal turquoise waters teeming with sea life, everything about it was perfect. Not to mention the sheer relaxation of just being in a true paradise away from daily life with no agenda and not a care in the world. Thank you Jennifer, Captain Olivier and Te Mana for giving us the best 35th anniversary trip we could have ever imagined! We only wish we would have stayed onboard longer. Like, permanently!
— David & Leslie Andersen, November 2019
Sailing in Tahiti was a wonderful experience thanks to our guide and hostess. We were greeted at the airport by Skipper Richard who took us to our yacht to a wonderful warm greeting from Jennifer ( I do love a hug). Jennifer had prepared a beautiful feast and made us feel right at home. The whole experience was enhanced by Jennifer’s wonderful organizational skills and her beautiful meals, including the Pina Coladas she prepared one night on board. Jennifer goes the extra mile, even to hiring a car on the last two days in Huahine to take us around and drive us home late at night over rough mountain roads. We left Tahiti, sadly, but knowing we had a new friend for life.
— Bruce & Philipa Patullo, August 2019
My husband and I enjoyed a wonderful sailing trip around the Islands of French Polynesia in August 2019. This was a perfect time for us to escape the severe cold at home and enjoy the best of French Polynesia’s climate. Jennifer was an exemplary tour organiser, very attentive to our comfort and preferences. The resort accommodation at Papeete and Huahine was excellent and local flights to Raiatea and Huahine were booked to best suit our schedule. We met our traveling companions and established good camaraderie before boarding the yacht. Our skipper Richard, a very experienced navigator in these waters, was a great raconteur and supportive host. Jennifer provided many delicious gourmet meals including fresh fish, tropical fruit, french bread, cheese and wine. The cooked breakfasts were a special treat. We also enjoyed the best local cuisine at various island yacht clubs and night spots. Highlights included the authentic cultural show at Taha, with traditional hula dancing and music, and the wonderful island talent at Bloody Mary’s, Bora Bora. Stocking up on supplies at the food stores and markets in Raiatea gave us an insight into local cuisine. We experienced local life by touring a family tropical garden with a biologist, visiting a vanilla farm, ancient fish traps, a black pearl farm, snorkeling and swimming in the lagoons and learning about Polynesian culture at museums and galleries. Sailing highlights included an impromptu trip across open water to a remote atoll with a turtle sanctuary and arriving at Bora Bora lagoon under full sail. A most memorable and enjoyable holiday. Thank you, Jennifer.
— Robert and Noelene Fraser, August 2019