Samoa - anyone been diving there?

[Heg]

I seem to hear an awful lot about all of the other South Pacific Islands, but not Samoa. Has anyone done any diving there?

 

[Boxcar Overkill]

I remember reading about a member here who has a diver operation out of there. He claimed the diving was really good, but largely unexplored.

 

[Heg]

I've typed "samoa" inot the search facility but it comes up with nothing. I think I may be doing something wrong. Any advice re searching? I also did it with 'vanuatu" and got the same result and yet there are lots of posts relating to Vanuatu......
Am I having a blonde day?

 

[Zeeman]

The in built search here sucks.

I think it is possible to use Google to search SB, but I'm not sure of the tags that need to be used (and am too lazy to bother to figure it out)...

Z...

 

[Steve Brown]

Talofa. For 20 years, we've explored some real gems around our 10 volcanic islands, my favourite an underwater (obviously) volcanic 'Nuutele Pinnacle' with 4-5000 fish/hour, including dog-tooth tuna, sharks, turtles and shoals of fish so dense that they block-out the tropical sunlight.
'Turtle Minefields' is another with both Greens and Hawkesbill Turtles all foraging on seagrasses and shellfish. Amazing to watch.
2500 foot crater lakes, Lake Lanotoo, with a bottomless history. Wanna try it?
Underground lavatube caves filled with water and entering the ocean.
'Piula Cave' with 3 caves all connected, but for the experienced cave divers only.
Miniature 'killer whales', all 4 inches of them, black and white and real cute.
And to surface, looking up at 6000 foot rainforested craters before you, gives you a real high.
Even the odd whaleshark from time to time, with Humpback whales in season - no calving, that all happens in Tonga (Vavau) from August to October - another diving must - only a one hour's flight away.
Highly recommend Aggie Greys Hotel next to Airport with all the watersports facilities (allow $USD1-200/day), great dive facilities and instructors/operators.
And try our nearby beach fales (grass huts) on Manono Island for $USD50 a night including 3 meals!
Want to read more? Try these scribbles My Book where 4 little Polynesian (half-cast) orphans get hit by a big wave out sea kayaking one day and end up for years living and diving on an uninhabited island, living the Life of Riley, comparing the West with the Traditional way of life of their Ancestors. Mind you, these Kids are not so happy with what we adults have been doing to our colourful coral reefs. These Kids are now accusing us adults of 'adult-ery' and you can work the rest out.....
Some say I can talk underwater, so now trying to write underwater - my 20 year diving holiday is near over as we record these fantastic encounters, some real gems.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Samoa even for non-divers, friendly islanders, lovers of music, singing, dancing and laughter (so bring your guitars and be prepared to gift them to the first guitar-playing fisherman who takes you night diving catching crays and octopuses and spearing sleepy fish - bring a spare underwater torch, 6 batteries - makes another perfect gift, as do googles). You won't want to leave.
And Air New Zealand ex LA or Auckland (New Zealand) is the way to go, or Polynesian Virgin Blue ex Sydney (Australia) and NZ I think?? Only 2 hours from Fiji and twice as good. No real shopping here so safe guys to leave your credit cards with your wives!!
Google "Margaret Mead, Samoa' and she'll tell just how good Samoa still is.
BEST DIVE IN SAMOA - BEST DIVE EVER - my last birthday, all geared-up and my buddies all thinking about the 'morning after', no longer prepared to dive, so I exhaled, sank and left them wallowing for 75 mins whilst I sat at 40 feet and the fish came to look at me - nothing manmade in sight except one hell of a nice bottom (aluminium, right above me). I was so frightened for the first 5 mins!!

 

[Heg]

Wow! Thanks Steve. I know where we are off to next dive trip. Your post is very much appreciated. Seems Samoa is the 'undiscovered' pearl in the pacific.
Which dive outfit did you/have you dived with and who is the best re saftey/equipment etc?

 

[Travelnsj]

Steve I am always looking for some where new to go. Your profile says you have dove mostly in OZ and Samoa. What part of OZ? Have you ever been to Raja Ampat or Palau? If so how do you compare to Samoa?

What is the best time of the year to go to Samoa? What are the water Temps like? Do you have commercial fishing in the area?

Thanks for any info.

 

[Steve Brown]

HI Heg and Travelnsj and Talofa from SAMOA - we dive 12 months of the year, no need for a wetsuit even, unless deep diving. Amazing. Don't worry about the rainy season, less sunburn!

Best operator is Aqua Samoa right at Aggies Lagoon Resort next to airport, excellent equipment and wide array of sites.

Amazing dives in Australia on Kangaroo island with seals, seals eating crayfish - ledges filled with 'marketies' - too tempting for us scuba divers.

Never dived Micronesia or Melanesia, just Polynesia, but I hear it's superb also. No malaria this side of the Dateline so it means you can surface more often!

Forgot to mention large black and white Mantarays big enough to frighten Steve Irwin - he was an old friend of mine.

Commercial fishing at all levels, local off-shore as well as the Pacific Tuna Pirates taking more than their share - one way to reduce sealevel rise I guess!

Enjoy. Tofa soifua.

 

[Travelnsj]

Steve....I have found anywhere they allow commercial fishing especially Malaysia...not much in the way of fish....are you saying in Samoa the waters are 29 to 31 degrees? I've known a few people who have been to Tonga and those waters can be cold. Do you have different currents than Tonga?

I've been to Kangaroo Island never dove there but those waters are fridgid.....that is dry suit diving...LOL