High Price of Diving Tahiti

[BuceoVerde]

This is my first post. So hopefully this goes well...

Any recomendations on quality dive operators in Tahiti that would cut a deal for a group of 8 experienced divers? The going rate of $120-$130 for a 2-tank dive is killing me. I didn't believe the web sites until I sent some e-mails to some of the operators and they confirmed the pricing.
We're looking at doing 80-100 dives between us. I just cannot see paying twice as much as the Caribbean. Any advice please.

We're headed to Tahiti at the end of May for 16 days. We'll be sailing Raiatea, Bora Bora and Huahine for 10 days. We'll spend a few days on Moorea as well. We'll likely have the most time for diving on Bora Bora.

Anybody know the scoop on the Tahiti law that there has to be one instructor for every 6 divers? And night dives have a maximum of 4 divers per instructor. Maybe this is part of why there cost is so high.

Will we have any problem renting tanks and doing our own dives in the lagoon from our boat without an "instructor"?

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

 

[BuceoVerde]

Perhaps the silence confirms that I've been spoiled in the Caribean.

 

[caymaniac]

The Aggressor would be less if you are counting dives.

 

[Drewpy]

Not sure about the laws or rentals on the islands?
I do know this...Its freaking expensive there!
I was in Moorea and Bora Bora about five years ago and paid about 100 bucks for a two tank dive!
While in Bora we never saw any "private divers" all were from resorts?
Seems like all the operators work from resorts as well?

Everything seems to be expensive there-food,drinks even prices at the local grocery store?
The diving is fabulous though! Hope you like sharks?

Have fun and good luck!

 

[BuceoVerde]

Thanks for the info!!!

Good point on the Aggressor. Lesson learned. We are already committed to two 47' Moorings bareboat cats. So less diving will be okay, just not what I was expecting.

I wonder if the good dive spots inside the lagoon are obvious enough that we could find them with our boat without a guide?
My experience in the caribean and Mexico is you typically need a guide for the good boat dives, because it's too challenging to find them on your own.

It's going to be an awesome trip any way we do it.

 

[zimpod]

You would likely need a guide - the dive spots are not obvious (at least on Moorea or Bora Bora). As far as dive shops, I was very happy with TOPDive on both islands.

The diving there was incredible.

 

[Scubagolf]

I's not only there. Maui dive rates have escalated dramatically in the past five years. Two tank boat trips to Lanai are now $130+, and other two-tank boat trips from Maui are about $120.

 

[wedivebc]

What really amazed me about Tahiti when I was there in '91 anyway was it seemed 1/2 the population was collecting welfare from the French government. Yet prices were through the roof $10 for a beer, I mean really! There must be a seperate pricing for us non-islanders

 

[ronrosa]

Perhaps the silence confirms that I've been spoiled in the Caribean.

Not so fast. I was recently surprised to find St. Vincent diving costs $115 for 2-tanks. :11doh:

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

WorldTraveler:

When are you going to French Polynesia? My wife and I will be there June 4-17. We're diving with TopDive in Rangiroa for five days and then in Bora Bora for five days. Let me know if our paths are going to cross. The owner of Top Dive, Lucien Schmidlin, is a friend of mine. He won't be there at that time but he tells me his twin brother will be there and has been tasked with "taking care of us". We'd love to dive with you guys if the timing is right!

Doug