First time diving in Saipan

[Paul in Japan]

I'm taking a trip to Saipan at the end of the month, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice. I'm a new diver and I'll be diving with some new equipment. I'm looking for some recommended dives and dive shops in the area that cater to English speaking customers. I've checked the archives and I've found a number of old threads naming some shops with now defunct web sites. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[CARHILL]

Paul In Japan

There is only one English speaking shop on Saipan Speedy Tertle Dive shop. ph 670-234-6284 e-mail sasha@speedytertle.com

Dale in Saipan

 

[Paul in Japan]

Thanks Dale. Would you recommend them or would I be better off going with a Japanese speaking shop?

 

[av8rmke]

I'm taking a trip to Saipan at the end of the month, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice. I'm a new diver and I'll be diving with some new equipment. I'm looking for some recommended dives and dive shops in the area that cater to English speaking customers. I've checked the archives and I've found a number of old threads naming some shops with now defunct web sites. Any ideas? Thanks.

Hey Paul,

I just got open water certified recently(MDA in Guam) and dove in Guam,but not Saipan as of yet.I did however do lots of snorkeling in Saipan while i lived out there.My favorite spot to snorkle and swim is Grotto in Saipan.The place is AWESOME.Im sure you have heard of it.Its to my understanding the best dive spot as well as the most popular in Saipan.Ive snorkled at Taga Beach in Tinian,which could probably make a good dive spot as well,since its on the Phillipine Sea side.

 

[Kim]

Go with the English speaking school. You have more chance of getting a buddy you can actually communicate with - not to mention you'll be able to understand the briefing! eyebrow

 

[Paul in Japan]

Thanks for the advice everyone. The grotto looks pretty cool. I'm a new diver with less than 10 dives under my belt. Is the grotto something I should be looking into diving or is it beyond my level?

 

[av8rmke]

Thanks for the advice everyone. The grotto looks pretty cool. I'm a new diver with less than 10 dives under my belt. Is the grotto something I should be looking into diving or is it beyond my level?

Its way cool.I wouldnt say its beyond any beginners level unless your going alone.The hardest part about Grotto is getting back out of the water once your in when there is a strong current there.Theres a rope to help pull yourself out,but if theres a strong current,you can get smashed up against some coral if your not carefull.I also hear that its sometimes hard to get back in the Grotto once your out in the open ocean after having swam through one of the holes to get out to the ocean.The holes you have to swim through are pretty short from what ive heard,like 5 feet or so in length,so its not really like swimming through a long tunnel.Im assuming that there are a few good english speaking folks at Speedy Tertle.

 

[CARHILL]

Paul

You would not be happy with a Japanese shop they tend to use small tanks with short fills to make the dive go faster (speedo). Speedy Turtle uses big tanks (80cft) not the 50 & 60 cft that the other shops use. Eric at Speedy Turtle is one of the English speeking guides I have been diving with him for 5 years. He will do some other dives with you before attempting the Grotto and only if conditions are good. How long will you be in Saipan?

Dale

 

[Paul in Japan]

I'll be there for 4 full days and plan on 2 days of diving. Thanks for the heads up on the Japanese shops. I had that problem when I was in Okinawa. Small tanks and shorter bottom times.

Anything else I should be aware of before I go? Places I just gotta see and stuff like that?

-Paul

 

[av8rmke]

You would not be happy with a Japanese shop they tend to use small tanks with short fills to make the dive go faster (speedo). Speedy Turtle uses big tanks (80cft) not the 50 & 60 cft that the other shops use. Eric at Speedy Turtle is one of the English speeking guides I have been diving with him for 5 years. He will do some other dives with you before attempting the Grotto and only if conditions are good. How long will you be in Saipan?

Dale

Good info Dale.Do you know how much they rent BCD's and Tanks at Speedy Tertle?