French Polynesia & Newbie diving advice & recs?

[aeonflux10]

My hubby and I are going to Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, and Tahiti in about a month. We are diving newbies and getting our open water certification to scuba dive before we leave, but we'd appreciate recs and advice about:

1. dive shops in each location (or shops to avoid!) - for the "avoids" was the equipment iffy? or the dive trip not well executed?

2. Because of limited funds, we won't be able to do many dives at each island - I think we are going to have to pick and choose. I'd love to prioritize our dives to see the "must sees" first, and we'd love to get your advice on this.

3. any recommended dive packages. some shops have stores on more than 1 island and offer multiple dive packages amongst the different islands. Is this a good idea in general?

4. any perspective on how much diving is "enough" for first-timers. I think we are going to try to arrange dives before we go, but we don't want to sign up for too much or too little.

5. from any female divers - did you get cold diving in French Polynesia? how much covering did you feel comfortable with when diving? Neoprene? just a thin layer? short or full length attire?

6. any other advice for diving in this part of the world?

Thanks for anything you can pass along!

Chantal

 

[vetdiver]

My hubby and I are going to Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, and Tahiti in about a month. We are diving newbies and getting our open water certification to scuba dive before we leave, but we'd appreciate recs and advice about:

1. dive shops in each location (or shops to avoid!) - for the "avoids" was the equipment iffy? or the dive trip not well executed?

2. Because of limited funds, we won't be able to do many dives at each island - I think we are going to have to pick and choose. I'd love to prioritize our dives to see the "must sees" first, and we'd love to get your advice on this.

3. any recommended dive packages. some shops have stores on more than 1 island and offer multiple dive packages amongst the different islands. Is this a good idea in general?

4. any perspective on how much diving is "enough" for first-timers. I think we are going to try to arrange dives before we go, but we don't want to sign up for too much or too little.

5. from any female divers - did you get cold diving in French Polynesia? how much covering did you feel comfortable with when diving? Neoprene? just a thin layer? short or full length attire?

6. any other advice for diving in this part of the world?

Thanks for anything you can pass along!

Chantal

Hi -

I have been diving in Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, and Raiatea. I used local ops in Tahiti and Raiatea, cannot remember the names. I used TopDive in both Moorea and Bora Bora - I actually purchased a 10-dive package to split between two people, and it was pretty reasonable.

I was there in late Feb/early March, and I wore a 3 mm shorty (I am a girl, and I tend to get cold, though I only did 2 dives a day when there). I'd think you'll be fine with a shorty or full skin or 3 mm neoprene suit.

Have a great time.

 

[Shasta_man]

Best diving there will be on Rangiroa and Moorea most likely. After this trip, sharks will be no big deal for you. Don't worry, that's a good thing. Bora Bora is beautiful but I don't think as good as diving.

It's a beautiful area. I don't have specific experience with their dive shops but have been there.

Once you dive in warm water, there's never ENOUGH diving. Compared to a liveaboard, enough diving is 4 dives a day but diving from land, then you have to slow down. Don't worry about scheduling too much ahead of time. At least a couple days at each would be good if possible. On some of those islands, the majority to do is the ocean so you don't have a lot of choice.

Advice:

Suit: I suggest a fullsuit of whatever thickness is appropriate. Then you're protected against accidental coral collisions or anything else that stings. We used 3mm in 80 degree water and 5mm in 75 degree water.

Diving: Watch out for your own gear and self. Of course, bring all of your own gear because it fits right, you know it, and it works. Vacation is no time for dealing with junk equipment. Regardless of what the dive guides do for you, check your own equipment: BC, weights, air fill, turning on your tank, doing your dive log and checking pressure group.

Use your own head when diving. Don't just follow. Think for yourself. Talk to your fellow divers and make sure what "out of air" signal is. Who cares whether they appear aloof. They could be saving your life or you saving theirs. Get that communication done on the surface, BEFORE the dive and you need it.

Any screw ups on the dive, talk about it after the dive to correct any problems/miscommunications. Again, it's that important.

My hubby and I are going to Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, and Tahiti in about a month. We are diving newbies and getting our open water certification to scuba dive before we leave, but we'd appreciate recs and advice about:

1. dive shops in each location (or shops to avoid!) - for the "avoids" was the equipment iffy? or the dive trip not well executed?

2. Because of limited funds, we won't be able to do many dives at each island - I think we are going to have to pick and choose. I'd love to prioritize our dives to see the "must sees" first, and we'd love to get your advice on this.

3. any recommended dive packages. some shops have stores on more than 1 island and offer multiple dive packages amongst the different islands. Is this a good idea in general?

4. any perspective on how much diving is "enough" for first-timers. I think we are going to try to arrange dives before we go, but we don't want to sign up for too much or too little.

5. from any female divers - did you get cold diving in French Polynesia? how much covering did you feel comfortable with when diving? Neoprene? just a thin layer? short or full length attire?

6. any other advice for diving in this part of the world?

Thanks for anything you can pass along!

Chantal

 

[jerryn]

I went to Moorea and went with Moorea Blue Diving. I found them to be professional and good. I think the shops are all much the same. Some thoughts:

1. All the dives are guided dives. You swim with a group and the dive master leads you to various spots. So, make sure you tell the dive master that you and your hubby are newbies before you get in the water.

2. The two of you should plan to dive as a buddy team, go over your hand signals, watch your air, and stay together. You should each carry a surface marker buoy.

3. The typical program is for two dives in the morning. The afternoon is usually reserved for instruction.

Have a great time, wish I were going back this year.

Jerry

 

[globetrotter]

Chantal,

Did Moorea and Rangiroa two years ago. I'd agree with most of the other comments: wear a full suit (3mm worked for my fiancé and me), buy five- or ten-packs of dives to save some money, bring your own gear, don't be shy about telling the dive master your new divers and just have fun

A couple of extras:

1) Don't hesitate to ask for a DM of your own. Many outfits will do this for a minor cost, sometimes for free.

2) While on Rangiroa DO NOT dive with Raia Manta. We thought they were horrible, not just bad communications but downright rude. If I had a chance to do it all again (which I will in 30 days) I would dive with the Kia Ora dive shop (which I will). Everyone we talked to at the Kia Ora loved them.

If you can only dive on a few islands I'd suggest Rangiroa and Moorea as well. Say hi to Raphael at Moorea Blue Diving if you see him, he's one of the best DM's I've ever been out with.

-globetrotter

 

[hotshoe]

It sounds like you've been around the block Globetrotter.
I'm curious if you (or anyone else) have any experience diving in Bora Bora.
Do you or anyone have any suggestions for dive spots or Must Do's/Dont's.
I have booked dives with Bora Diving Center in August.
thanks in advance

Chantal,

Did Moorea and Rangiroa two years ago. I'd agree with most of the other comments: wear a full suit (3mm worked for my fiancé and me), buy five- or ten-packs of dives to save some money, bring your own gear, don't be shy about telling the dive master your new divers and just have fun

A couple of extras:

1) Don't hesitate to ask for a DM of your own. Many outfits will do this for a minor cost, sometimes for free.

2) While on Rangiroa DO NOT dive with Raia Manta. We thought they were horrible, not just bad communications but downright rude. If I had a chance to do it all again (which I will in 30 days) I would dive with the Kia Ora dive shop (which I will). Everyone we talked to at the Kia Ora loved them.

If you can only dive on a few islands I'd suggest Rangiroa and Moorea as well. Say hi to Raphael at Moorea Blue Diving if you see him, he's one of the best DM's I've ever been out with.

-globetrotter

 

[globetrotter]

Hey hotshoe,

I really hope someone answers that because Bora Bora is one of the islands we're hitting for our honeymoon next month. I'd really love to hear from some of the knowledgable folks on the board. All comments welcome, good or bad...come on, anyone?

-globetrotter

It sounds like you've been around the block Globetrotter.
I'm curious if you (or anyone else) have any experience diving in Bora Bora.
Do you or anyone have any suggestions for dive spots or Must Do's/Dont's.
I have booked dives with Bora Diving Center in August.
thanks in advance

 

[BurBunny]

Hey hotshoe,

I really hope someone answers that because Bora Bora is one of the islands we're hitting for our honeymoon next month. I'd really love to hear from some of the knowledgable folks on the board. All comments welcome, good or bad...come on, anyone?

-globetrotter

For me, the highlight in Bora was the Mantas. However, if you're also going to Rangiroa, you'll probably hit them there in better conditions. For Bora, it all depends on the clarity of the lagoon. If the waves aren't coming over the reef into the lagoon, it can get murky inside the lagoon pretty quickly. Still a lot to see, but if you're seeing sharks/mantas elsewhere, it's okay to skip Bora if you want.

Aside from the mantas, my favorite dive was one they usually use for training- an afternoon shallow reef dive. Lots of critters, better for photography.

Highly recommend TopDive, though Bora Diving Center is professional as well.

 

[starsjohn]

I have used Bora Divers from the Tahitian Princess cruise and have been very well treated after also being referred by my local dive center. The night dive on Bora Bora was one of the best dives I have ever done. I was also separated from the cruise ship passengers to go with a group of French divers on a special shark dive.

 

[aeonflux10]

Well, the dentist found a small hairline fracture in my hubby's tooth. We couldn't complete out cert before leaving

In Rangi, we stayed at the Kia Ora Village, the main hotel, and noticed that the dive shop boat was having a lot of trouble getting started. Everyone was standing around in their gear, and the sun was really beating down. It took them a long time to figure out the prob, and there seemed like there were a lot of passengers for the boat. Just my $0.02.