Need Help Choosing a South Pacific Dive location

"Trouser" <Trouser@removethis.free.net.nz> wrote in message
news:40e322af@news.orcon.net.nz...
> chilly wrote:
>
> happy at first with Pacific while I dealt with Thomas their son (who
was/is
> running the show as Graham his father was back in NZ, apparently quite Ill
> :(.)
>
> Another aspect that was frustrating with Pacific was that after talking to
> Christina, who after telling me they do 2 times 2 dives per day started
not
> doing afternoon dives [not for weather] because she was doing lagoon
> training dives. They showed (to me) a lack of hands on deck and therefore
> the ability to live up to the expectation of 2 in the am two in the PM,
> which I agree is more flexible for most divers.

That is indeed unfortunate.

>
> I feel rude and am honestly not somebody to complain much, but whilst
> Christina warrants special mention. Whilst she makes the cookies and
> baking that blow your mind during surface intervals, her customer service
> skills are somewhat lacking. When I am diving I don't expect the people
> taking us diving to be so short and abrupt to the point of rudeness. I
> watched plenty of people arrive at the shop and enquire about diving and
> based on her response walk away with screwed up faces.

In fairness, I must acknowledge that Christina can be abrupt from time to
time. However, at these current times, I'm sure that it has been
exacerbated by the current situation and her worries over Graham.

> Based on your experience Chilly the above was obviously not 'standard' but
> warrants mention all the same. I will read trip reports I just think that
> peoples' experiences can (and do) differ for one reason or another.

True enough. And in accordance, Greg at Cook Islands warrants the same kind
of special mention. He was exceedingly rude as well and sent me away with a
screwed up face. :^)

> In fairness, I must acknowledge that Christina can be abrupt from time to
> time. However, at these current times, I'm sure that it has been
> exacerbated by the current situation and her worries over Graham.

No doubt - not good for business though. I got to know Thomas quite well and
he was friendly and helpful. He even did help me out by replacing an HP
O-ring that decided to give way.

>> Based on your experience Chilly the above was obviously not 'standard'
>> but
>> warrants mention all the same. I will read trip reports I just think
>> that peoples' experiences can (and do) differ for one reason or another.
>
> True enough. And in accordance, Greg at Cook Islands warrants the same
> kind
> of special mention. He was exceedingly rude as well and sent me away with
> a
> screwed up face. :^)

Hey, Greg did the same to me early on in my stay (I burned around there one
morning on the scooter when the bride was in bed crook after island night -
hoping to get on a dive in the PM (after Christina had cancelled an
afternoon dive to do the lagoon thing) and enquired as to costs etc.

I was not happy when he said that with your own gear it was 70$, without
gear 70$ per dive. After a brief exchange of sorry but that is policy - we
cost more, ranted about the other operators be cut price and low quality I
walked away with the :V( face on, and sitting around with the bride
frustrated at not diving.

I ONLY dived with Cook Is another day as a last resort (when losing out
again on Pacific PM dives). MY experience was better than the other dives
I had done there with Pacific. Great boats (better ride, more room, could
stand up while under way, (unlike pacific) Only boat at the dive site, less
restricted dive time, oh did I mention the free homebrewed beer afterwards?
Greg turned out to be quite a likeable guy (maybe that was just the
beer?:). I know what My choice would be next time. I would be prepared to
pay the premium now for a better (be it perceived or actual) experience....

Well I think I've narrowed it down to Fiji or Maybe Solomons. I also
saw an int eresting article on Truk Island, but not sure if there's
much more to that place that wreck diving. Maybe someone would care to
comment.

My next question is what kind of $$ are we talking for a liveaboard to
the Solomons and for Fiji can I get to all the divesites via local/day
dives or do I need to do a live aboard. It looks like the main Fijian
island is quite large, it might be tough to get everywhere. Also any
suggestions as far as what city to stay in? Is Suva an attractive
city?

Thanks again guys for all your help.

John

"Trouser" <Trouser@removethis.free.net.nz> wrote in message
news:40e3d928@news.orcon.net.nz...
>
> > In fairness, I must acknowledge that Christina can be abrupt from time
to
> > time. However, at these current times, I'm sure that it has been
> > exacerbated by the current situation and her worries over Graham.
>
> No doubt - not good for business though. I got to know Thomas quite well
and
> he was friendly and helpful. He even did help me out by replacing an HP
> O-ring that decided to give way.

I've only spoken with Thomas over the phone, but not actually met him. As I
understand it, he is good guy and I'm willing to assume that he has a sense
of humor like that of his parents. Not that you got to see Christina's,
apparently and of course, Graham wasn't there for you to see his.

>
> >> Based on your experience Chilly the above was obviously not 'standard'
> > a
> > screwed up face. :^)
>
> Hey, Greg did the same to me early on in my stay (I burned around there
one
> morning on the scooter when the bride was in bed crook after island
night -
> hoping to get on a dive in the PM (after Christina had cancelled an
> afternoon dive to do the lagoon thing) and enquired as to costs etc.
>
> I was not happy when he said that with your own gear it was 70$, without
> gear 70$ per dive. After a brief exchange of sorry but that is policy -
we
> cost more, ranted about the other operators be cut price and low quality I
> walked away with the :V( face on, and sitting around with the bride
> frustrated at not diving.

I can't even remember what my specific conversation with him was about. I
just remember that I couldn't have been more surprised that he was that much
of an asshole. He did not know that I was diving with anyone else, so it
wasn't that. Like you I'd gone by intentionally to check out the shop, the
boats, the schedule but I was also looking to purchase a particular reef
fish guide. I never mentioned diving with anyone else. He was beyond rude.
I just thought him a plain nasty asshole.

> I ONLY dived with Cook Is another day as a last resort (when losing out
> again on Pacific PM dives). MY experience was better than the other dives
> I had done there with Pacific. Great boats (better ride, more room, could
> stand up while under way, (unlike pacific)

I certainly can't argue with what you say about their boats. However, in
the defense of Pacific in this regard, Cook Islands was (at that time) the
only op with those kinds of boats. Everyone else was using the boats that
were the same as Pacific's. I did dive with one other operator my first
day. They had the same boats as Pacific, only not in as good a condition as
the Pacific boats. Further, I was given to understand that the boats used
by most of the ops were like that because they were also the emergency
rescue team for boating accidents in the area. In other words, those were
the kind of boats that the island needed for quick response.

>Only boat at the dive site,

Intereting. In every one of my dives with Pacific, we were the only boat at
the dive site.

>less
> restricted dive time, oh did I mention the free homebrewed beer
afterwards?

No, you didn't. I can see that help color your decision. ;^)

> Greg turned out to be quite a likeable guy (maybe that was just the
> beer?:).

Based on my experience with him, that would be my guess.

> I know what My choice would be next time. I would be prepared to
> pay the premium now for a better (be it perceived or actual)
experience....

Well, I sure am sorry that your experience with Pacific wasn't as good as
mine was . . .but then the circumstances were different too. They had two
boats running when I was there and the more junior people were on the other
boat. Our boat did not have restricted dive times.

I understand that there are one or two new ops on the island. Maybe they
are good?

>

"John Wells" <rip_saw777@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:75313447.0406290129.20d776f9@posting.google.c om...
> Hello,
>
> I have some time off and am considering going diving in the S.
> Pacific.
>
>
> Here are the locations that are available to me due to airline
> requirements:
> Tonga
> Norfolk Isl
> New Caledonia
> Fiji
> Tonga
> Cook Islands
> Rarotonga
> Apia (not sure where that is)
>
> I might be able toget to Vanuatu also.. but not sure.
>
> Im an advanced diver with about 50 dives under my belt. Ive basically
> just done Oz, Thailand, Florida and Brazil. Nothing major in the
> Carribean, but since Im over here on this side of the world, Id like
> to check out the S. Pacific. Im not sure if these places are better
> seen on a live aboard, or since im on the island anyway, I can just do
> day dives. Im not looking to spend thousands on accomodation, just
> have some good diving and maybe feel like I really enjoyed what I saw
> and the time I spent there.
>
> Any advice would be appreciated.
>
> I already booked temporarily a flight to Tonga, but after reading some
> of the posts about Tonga, Im inclined to change it to one of the other
> destinations.
>
> Ok. Looking forward to any advice
>
> Regards
> John

Hi John,
have you considered Papua new guinea?? Amazing diving - We went to Madang
and had a ball! Corals magnificent, Water warm and critters plentiful. Good
viz too! Going back next year.
Trip report on my website
www.DivingTheBlue.com
HTH
Tim

Whats the rough price of the PNG package.. Iwas trying to get to
somewhere that I can use airmiles to save $$, but PNG sounds great!

Ian

"Tack" <gottabekiddin@nospam.com> wrote in message news:<UC8Fc.74907$sj4.33213@news-server.bigpond.net.au>...
> "John Wells" <rip_saw777@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:75313447.0406290129.20d776f9@posting.google.c om...
> > Hello,
> >
> > I have some time off and am considering going diving in the S.
> > Pacific.
> >
> >
> > Here are the locations that are available to me due to airline
> > requirements:
> > Tonga
> > Norfolk Isl
> > New Caledonia
> > Fiji
> > Tonga
> > Cook Islands
> > Rarotonga
> > Apia (not sure where that is)
> >
> > I might be able toget to Vanuatu also.. but not sure.
> >
> > Im an advanced diver with about 50 dives under my belt. Ive basically
> > just done Oz, Thailand, Florida and Brazil. Nothing major in the
> > Carribean, but since Im over here on this side of the world, Id like
> > to check out the S. Pacific. Im not sure if these places are better
> > seen on a live aboard, or since im on the island anyway, I can just do
> > day dives. Im not looking to spend thousands on accomodation, just
> > have some good diving and maybe feel like I really enjoyed what I saw
> > and the time I spent there.
> >
> > Any advice would be appreciated.
> >
> > I already booked temporarily a flight to Tonga, but after reading some
> > of the posts about Tonga, Im inclined to change it to one of the other
> > destinations.
> >
> > Ok. Looking forward to any advice
> >
> > Regards
> > John
>
> Hi John,
> have you considered Papua new guinea?? Amazing diving - We went to Madang
> and had a ball! Corals magnificent, Water warm and critters plentiful. Good
> viz too! Going back next year.
> Trip report on my website
> www.DivingTheBlue.com
> HTH
> Tim

Ian/john
The png package from Australia cost: AUS$2200 with dive adventures.
This was flights from Sydney -> Moresby -> Madang (return) and accommodation
and diving with the shop. I am afraid I don't have a breakdown of individual
components.
HTH
Tack

"John Wells" <rip_saw777@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:75313447.0407031551.1812b3f4@posting.google.c om...
> Whats the rough price of the PNG package.. Iwas trying to get to
> somewhere that I can use airmiles to save $$, but PNG sounds great!
>
> Ian
>
> "Tack" <gottabekiddin@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:<UC8Fc.74907$sj4.33213@news-server.bigpond.net.au>...
> > "John Wells" <rip_saw777@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:75313447.0406290129.20d776f9@posting.google.c om...
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I have some time off and am considering going diving in the S.
> > > Pacific.
> > >
> > >
> > > Here are the locations that are available to me due to airline
> > > requirements:
> > > Tonga
> > > Norfolk Isl
> > > New Caledonia
> > > Fiji
> > > Tonga
> > > Cook Islands
> > > Rarotonga
> > > Apia (not sure where that is)
> > >
> > > I might be able toget to Vanuatu also.. but not sure.
> > >
> > > Im an advanced diver with about 50 dives under my belt. Ive basically
> > > just done Oz, Thailand, Florida and Brazil. Nothing major in the
> > > Carribean, but since Im over here on this side of the world, Id like
> > > to check out the S. Pacific. Im not sure if these places are better
> > > seen on a live aboard, or since im on the island anyway, I can just do
> > > day dives. Im not looking to spend thousands on accomodation, just
> > > have some good diving and maybe feel like I really enjoyed what I saw
> > > and the time I spent there.
> > >
> > > Any advice would be appreciated.
> > >
> > > I already booked temporarily a flight to Tonga, but after reading some
> > > of the posts about Tonga, Im inclined to change it to one of the other
> > > destinations.
> > >
> > > Ok. Looking forward to any advice
> > >
> > > Regards
> > > John
> >
> > Hi John,
> > have you considered Papua new guinea?? Amazing diving - We went to
Madang
> > and had a ball! Corals magnificent, Water warm and critters plentiful.
Good
> > viz too! Going back next year.
> > Trip report on my website
> > www.DivingTheBlue.com
> > HTH
> > Tim

I've been to half the locations on your list and several live-aboards in
the SP.

With only 50 dives, I'd highly suggest doing land-based. On world class
live-aboards you'd be doing 4 to 5 dives per day, all computer based,
and lots of deep stuff.

I highly recommend Dan Grenier's Crystal Divers. He has a jet boat that
goes out where the live-aboards go and the diving is great.

Dan can help you find a super deal on Air Fiji to/from the States.

Here is his link http://www.crystaldivers.com





John Wells wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have some time off and am considering going diving in the S.
> Pacific.
>
>
> Here are the locations that are available to me due to airline
> requirements:
> Tonga
> Norfolk Isl
> New Caledonia
> Fiji
> Tonga
> Cook Islands
> Rarotonga
> Apia (not sure where that is)
>
> I might be able toget to Vanuatu also.. but not sure.
>
> Im an advanced diver with about 50 dives under my belt. Ive basically
> just done Oz, Thailand, Florida and Brazil. Nothing major in the
> Carribean, but since Im over here on this side of the world, Id like
> to check out the S. Pacific. Im not sure if these places are better
> seen on a live aboard, or since im on the island anyway, I can just do
> day dives. Im not looking to spend thousands on accomodation, just
> have some good diving and maybe feel like I really enjoyed what I saw
> and the time I spent there.
>
> Any advice would be appreciated.
>
> I already booked temporarily a flight to Tonga, but after reading some
> of the posts about Tonga, Im inclined to change it to one of the other
> destinations.
>
> Ok. Looking forward to any advice
>
> Regards
> John

news <news@rideste.org> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in:
:With only 50 dives, I'd highly suggest doing land-based. On world class
:live-aboards you'd be doing 4 to 5 dives per day, all computer based,
:and lots of deep stuff.

So?

Dan Bracuk
If at first you don't succeed, you run the risk of failure.
The Best of rec.scuba http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/RecScuba/


-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
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Dan Bracuk wrote:

> news <news@rideste.org> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in:
> :With only 50 dives, I'd highly suggest doing land-based. On world class
> :live-aboards you'd be doing 4 to 5 dives per day, all computer based,
> :and lots of deep stuff.
>
> So?
>
> Dan Bracuk
> If at first you don't succeed, you run the risk of failure.
> The Best of rec.scuba http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/RecScuba/
>
>
> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

I would not recommend to a friend that he/she go on any of the world
class liveaboards in the SP with only 50 dives experience.

I had to save a newbie two years ago who ran out of air at 60ft and he
was also in serious deco [40 minutes], because he wasn't paying
attention to his computer. We had spent considerable time at 100/120 ft
prior to that.