First time diving in Saipan

[RikRaeder]

Hey Paul,
I'm in Japan too. Nagoya. Got certified at a Japanese shop last November; Seashore, in Saipan. I can guarantee the quality of the staff (my gf panicked on our first ocean dive and our instructor hypnotized her really quick. Had her dumping her regulator for the recovery test in about a minute). As to bottom times, we got about 40 minutes on our last, "fun," dive. I'm going back in early April so I'll report further on that later. If you speak a bit of Japanese, you might try them. They have some cheap packages with airfare and hotel on their site. Good cheap lunches too!
I found a shop with an English webpage (too good to be Japanese staff), All American Divers: http://www.allamericandivers.saipan.com/index1.htm
They have some good descriptions of the various dive spots on their page. I'm thinking to check them out next time I head down solo. Will have a look with Speedy Tertle as well perhaps.

 

[CARHILL]

Paul

The post about "All American Divers" shop was owned by two Americans hence the English web page. This shop is now owned by Koreans who speak almost no English. Most of their guides are Korean who speak no English.
"Seashore" has split into two shops. The other is "Dive Sight With" ( I'm not making this name up) They are in a former English dive shop. The dives at these shops are with large groups of Japanese & Asian divers in 5 mil wet suits packed into dive boats.

Dale in Saipan

 

[RikRaeder]

I can't vouch for American Divers since I haven't patronized them however their website is in native English (as I said). As to Seashore I must stick by my endorsement. When I dove with them last November, we wore 3mm suits...the group consisted of myself, my gf and our instructor...there were about 6 other divers there (all Japanese since they don't speak English, as I said) who went out in two groups...and I found the experience quite enjoyable. I was referring to Seashore Diving, not to whatever faction split off from them.
I have no intention of usurping any potential business from anyone's friend's shop. I'm simply sharing the experience I had in Saipan for a fellow ex-pat here in Japan. Additionally, a quick search on these forums should get the phone number for Searay, another English speaking shop in Saipan who, unfortunately, don't have a webpage. I recieved a recommendation for them last year from an aquaintance who was going for some upper level certification or other.

 

[DiveTyme]

Paul,
BuoyantC and his lovely wife are both instructors and have lived on Saipan for a couple of years. You may try to private mail him. I know he divemasters on request and is familar with most of the dive operations on the island. BuoyantC and his wife are both excellent instructors. I have dove and worked with both many times here in the states. Both are extremely nice people.
Tim

 

[BuoyantC]

Wow Tim...... thank's for the compliments! (commission check's in the mail).

Paul, I don't work for a shop and am available most of the time if you want to work something out independently. Just PM me. If, however, you are more comfortable going through a shop, CARHILL is right in that Speedy Tertle is about the only shop that functions primarily in English.

The Asian shops have some very professional staff, but as someone posted, they do seem to dive with large groups of predominatly Asian tourists and run on a tight schedule.

Dennis

 

[CARHILL]

Dennis

Grotto Dive Sunday????:05:

Dale