Moorea Blue Diving

[Blackwood]

Does anyone have experience with Moorea Blue Diving (out of the Pearl resort)?

I'll be there five nights in August before I head over to Bora Bora, and I'd love to get some diving in.

I'm thinking maybe two dive days on Moorea, one on Bora Bora (don't want to ditch the wife for too long).

I've not been to the South Pacific (http://www.mooreabluediving.com/), so any insight would be appreciated (either about MBD or diving Moorea and Bora Bora in general).

Thanks!

 

[ppo2_diver]

I dove with them when I was there a few years ago. Rafael is a nice guy. Must be under new ownership, Rafael isn't listed on the web site. It was only me, Raf, and one other person on the boat. The shark feeding was awesome. I'd dive with him again if I ever get back there. The Roses dive site was pretty cool. Huge coral formations that looked like blooming roses. You'll have fun.

 

[jphdiver]

I've never been out with Moorea Blue, but if they don't work out well try Top Dive, about a half mile down the road, just inside Cook's Bay. I go to Moorea for two weeks just about every year, (next trip is this June, we have a timeshare at Club Bali Hai), and dive with Top Dive every time. They're the best I've found so far.

I think you'll like the Pearl, very nice place.

 

[Blackwood]

Awesome. Thanks guys. Maybe I'll give Moorea Blue the first shot since it's in the resort and then head down the road if I have any complaints.

 

[ppo2_diver]

I used Top Dive in Bora Bora. A very good dive op. Top Dive Moorea isn't to far from the Pearl. The Pearl is also a nice resort. It was my favorite over the Le Meridian on Bora Bora, we stayed at. There is a small grocery store within walking distance from the Pearl. I'd recommend stopping there a couple times to buy snacks and water. The hotels just bend you over on their prices. Bloody Mary's is a must on Bora Bora. Alfredo's on Moorea that had great food as well. We ate there twice.

I miss it already, can I come with you?

 

[BurBunny]

I'd recommend TopDive for one simple reason - you can purchase a package of dives at a discount and use them in both Moorea and Bora Bora (and they're an excellent outfit). In Moorea, I know they pick up from the Pearl resort so that would be easy for you.

 

[jfcl01]

I recently returned from 2 weeks in French Polynesia; when I was on Moorea, I dove with Moorea Blue, and TopDive. I would definately choose Moorea Blue over TopDive.

 

[Blackwood]

I used Top Dive in Bora Bora. A very good dive op. Top Dive Moorea isn't to far from the Pearl. The Pearl is also a nice resort. It was my favorite over the Le Meridian on Bora Bora, we stayed at. There is a small grocery store within walking distance from the Pearl. I'd recommend stopping there a couple times to buy snacks and water. The hotels just bend you over on their prices. Bloody Mary's is a must on Bora Bora. Alfredo's on Moorea that had great food as well. We ate there twice.

I miss it already, can I come with you?

Awesome. I will definitely head to the grocery store.

I'm in the Pearl on Bora Bora also. Anyone know if Top Dive will pick me up there?



jfcl01 - Any particular reasons?

 

[jerryn]

I'm sure that Top Dive will pick you up...but Moorea Blue leaves right there in front of the Cabanas, no hassle, and they all go to the same places. 2 dives in the morning, back in time to drop 28$ on a sandwich and $10 for a coke. It is beautiful though.

Jerry

 

[jfcl01]

Yes, many.
The TopDive dive leaders that I met were all very good, very safe divers, but I just felt like I ran into frequent, if not constant, resistance to actually take me diving, once I pre-purchased a multi-dive pack. If you are just going to buy a couple days worth of diving, maybe you won't run into that problem. The greater problem for me, and the main reason I would never return to TopDive is because, when I returned home, I emailed the owner with several very specific and concrete concerns I had; he dismissed them as some shortcoming of my travel agent-which is ludicrous, since my agent has NOTHING to do with his dive op and his policies. He did not directly address a single one, or explain to me how I am mistaken in my observations/concerns-which I felt I was entitled to. He went on to say that I would have a better diving experience next time if I book directly though his own travel agency instead of my agent. I find it all extremely unsettling, so I will not be diving with them again.

Moorea Blue was okay...I only dove with them a few times, and the boat was quite crowded as it was a weekend. Lots of divers come to Moorea from Tahiti on the weekend, so if it is your plan to dive on Moorea on the weekend, know that the boats will most likely be quite full.

Is this your first trip to FP? If so, you are in for an AMAZING experience. To me, it makes Hawaii seem like a bland suburb, and honestly, it's hard to imagine being satisfied with any of my old Carribean favorites(though I will be going to Coz soon, but only because it's a free trip...if I was paying for it, I would just save the money towards getting myself back to Polynesia ASAP!!!)