kara.mcnair
Registered
Hi all,
I'm volunteering to help with logistics for a prof specializing in cephalopod behaviour who is planning a 4-6 week expedition to study cyanea octopus ("Day Octopus") in the South Pacific. It's been suggested that these two atolls (Rangiroa & Mahini) are a good place to find them (outside of Hawaii, where she's already done studies).
I'm looking for any advice/suggestions/help on:
- where to rent a house for 4-6 weeks that can house 4-8 people (the observers are volunteers who come for a couple of weeks at a time). Manihi seems to be pretty thin on cheaper accommodation so I'm focused more on Rangiroa. I am very open to finding home-stays or other more creative options if you've got ideas.
- what the best snorkelling areas are for finding Day Octopus that are reasonably accessible from places where we might be able to stay
- tips on transport to the snorkelling sites.
I'm a diver myself, recently certified as an instructor and although the plan for observation is currently snorkelling only, I'm more than happy to work with a shop to certify any volunteer observers who might be interested. Or in finding volunteer observers from any shops in the area
Thanks in advance for any assistance. Frankly, I'd be thrilled just to make contact with anyone local to that area that I could email occasionally for advice or thoughts.
Cheers!
Kara
I'm volunteering to help with logistics for a prof specializing in cephalopod behaviour who is planning a 4-6 week expedition to study cyanea octopus ("Day Octopus") in the South Pacific. It's been suggested that these two atolls (Rangiroa & Mahini) are a good place to find them (outside of Hawaii, where she's already done studies).
I'm looking for any advice/suggestions/help on:
- where to rent a house for 4-6 weeks that can house 4-8 people (the observers are volunteers who come for a couple of weeks at a time). Manihi seems to be pretty thin on cheaper accommodation so I'm focused more on Rangiroa. I am very open to finding home-stays or other more creative options if you've got ideas.
- what the best snorkelling areas are for finding Day Octopus that are reasonably accessible from places where we might be able to stay
- tips on transport to the snorkelling sites.
I'm a diver myself, recently certified as an instructor and although the plan for observation is currently snorkelling only, I'm more than happy to work with a shop to certify any volunteer observers who might be interested. Or in finding volunteer observers from any shops in the area

Thanks in advance for any assistance. Frankly, I'd be thrilled just to make contact with anyone local to that area that I could email occasionally for advice or thoughts.
Cheers!
Kara