Well, I can now post the results of my research. According to my contacts with a hotel, there are only two dive operations on Samoa. AquaSamoa Watersports (
Aquasamoa-Watersports, Samoa) is on Upolu (where the main airport is) and Dive Savii (
Dive Savaii, Home Page: Scuba diving and PADI courses in Samoa, South Pacific) on Savaii.
Here are the questions I asked and the answers I received from AquaSamoa:
(1) Do you dive daily?
Yes, obviously only as long as we have takers!!
(2) Do you need a minimum number of divers to go out? Would you anticipate late November being a problem in meeting that minimum?
No we will go with one. November can be quiet but like I said we still go…
(3) Are your dive tours one dive, two dives, etc.?
Tours are two tanks. We can do a third dive in the afternoon but as a third dive we usually keep this more shallow for safety reasons.
(4) How long, on average, are your dives? Does everyone come up at the same time or is based on air consumption?
Dives are max of 45 minutes and this is usual air consumption time. We try to match divers of like experience so that we do not have to cut dives short for more experienced divers when a lesser experienced diver chews their air up to fast. If this is likely to happen we have 2 staff in the water so those with air can continue their dive while those without go up.
(5) Where do you do your surface interval? At the shop? On the boat?
On the boat. If diving around Manono and Apolima Islands (More usual) we come into the lagoon.
(6) Do you depart from a dock at the resort or do we drive to a remote location?
We depart from our own jetty at the Resort.
(7) How much do your dive trips cost?
$310 Samoan tala for a two tank dive all inclusive. $160 (ST) for a single dive.
(8) Do you accept credit cards? Do I open a "tab" and pay at the end?
Yes, we can take down CC details and put it through at the end.
Here are the questions I asked and the answers I received from Dive Savaii:
1. Do you go out daily or only on certain days of the week?
Yes, from Monday to saturday...Sunday is off!
2. Do you require a minimum number of divers to go out? Do you believe it likely you will have that minimum toward the end of November?
We go diving even with only 1 diver ( as long as the dives has been booked in advance).
3. Can you comment on the time of your dives? Do they have an average length or until they reach their NDL?
Dive is about 40 minutes, depends on your air consumption. We want everyone coming up with at least 50 Bars ( 750 PSI).
4. Do you do your surface interval on shore or on the boat?
Surface interval is 1h00 and we stay on the boat eating papaya and drinking water.
5. Do you offer nitrox?
No, would love to!
6. What time do divers check in each day and when does the trip usually end?
Depends on the time of low tide.
7. Do you accept credit cards for payment?
Cash only, no ATM near the diveshop.
I haven't yet decided whether I will be going but I hope this information is useful.
jsl
