What's the scoop on Papa Hog's?

[Chris Park]

kgm815
Completely agree. Stayed at villa blanca and dove with them in March. Next time i may do the same and stay with them as well. Also completely agree about the villa blanca wall!!!! That was my favorite dive of the week. We did it as a shore dive on Easter Sunday since there was almost no boat traffic whatsoever. Amazing life and color off that dropoff.

 

[Garrobo]

I stayed at the Villa Blanca and dove with PapaHoggs last year. Had a good time. The employees at PapaHogg's were friendly and helpful. I dove two dives a day and the DM's did a good job. I like the concept of the fast boats and a DM with each small group. Margaret seemed to run the daily operation while I was there and was very helpful. Didn't get to meet Mike (Mr. Grumpy by some people's description.) The weekly package rates were affordable, the VillaBlanca room was fine and the food at PapaHogg's deck were decent. The hotel restaurant had great food and was run by a real gentleman, Manuel, and his pal the chef. Can't remember chef's name for sure but it might have been Arturo. Anyway, when I go back this summer I'll be staying at the VillaBlanca and diving with PapaHogg's, fer shure.

 

[diveaddict55]

scubawife - they didn't have a choice in leaving. After the hurricane, the DM's were booted with no help from Papa Hogs. The employees had to find replacement work at different dive shops for the last few years and now they are coming back together as Scuba Mau Dive Shop. Opal and Pumba previously worked at Blue Angel so I know Pumba from there (he always does a great job). I have not personally dived with Opal and the others but have heard great things from others that have. In my next trip down I will be switching from Blue Angel to Scuba Mau.

Happen to know for a fact that of all the employees that Papa hogs had then they still have all of the same ones except for the 5 DM's that quit???? Maybe some one is giving you false information for personal gain????

 

[DandyDon]

scubawife - they didn't have a choice in leaving. After the hurricane, the DM's were booted with no help from Papa Hogs. The employees had to find replacement work at different dive shops for the last few years and now they are coming back together as Scuba Mau Dive Shop. Opal and Pumba previously worked at Blue Angel so I know Pumba from there (he always does a great job). I have not personally dived with Opal and the others but have heard great things from others that have. In my next trip down I will be switching from Blue Angel to Scuba Mau.

Happen to know for a fact that of all the employees that Papa hogs had then they still have all of the same ones except for the 5 DM's that quit???? Maybe some one is giving you false information for personal gain????

Welcome to SB.com both of you, as it appears that maybe both of you joined solely to post on this?

I have heard the rumors about PH's DMs, but try to pay little attention to gossip with the questionable accuracy of such. I'm sure there was no paid diving happening for some time after Wilma and since DMs count on tips to make ends meet, I suspect that many on the island sought other work at their employer's or elsewhere. The 5 DMs themselves would be welcome to post their personal statements if they'd like, and PH themselves were emailed and invited to post to this thread. I also heard that Elvis is still alive and well. :silly:

 

[driftin' by]

This is getting juicy!

 

[Christi]

I think that it's best for those of us who are not party to the issue between PH's and the five DM's not speculate, or post hearsay...because that's exactly what it is if you're not party to the issue (especially if you're a "customer"). It's also important to remember that there are two sides to every story, and the actual truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. Hearsay serves no purpose except to damage reputations.

I will say that we ALL (employers and employees) faced major hardships after Wilma and we all did the best we could under the circumstances.

 

[budaman]

I think that it's best for those of us who are not party to the issue between PH's and the five DM's not speculate, or post hearsay...because that's exactly what it is if you're not party to the issue (especially if you're a "customer"). It's also important to remember that there are two sides to every story, and the actual truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. Hearsay serves no purpose except to damage reputations.

I will say that we ALL (employers and employees) faced major hardships after Wilma and we all did the best we could under the circumstances.

Well said, Christi!

Budababe:blinking:

 

[driftin' by]

Oops, sorry. Perhaps I wasn't specific enough as to what's juicy. SB regulars occasionally see folks create an account just to jump in and add fuel to the fire with inaccurate or unsubstantiated information with no intention to ever add another post or useful information. It juicy because now we have 2 of them with conflicting information. I apologize if anyone thought I was taking pleasure with the flaming of a highly regarded dive op.

 

[Christi]

Oops, sorry. Perhaps I wasn't specific enough as to what's juicy. SB regulars occasionally see folks create an account just to jump in and add fuel to the fire with inaccurate or unsubstantiated information with no intention to ever add another post or useful information. It juicy because now we have 2 of them with conflicting information. I apologize if anyone thought I was taking pleasure with the flaming of a highly regarded dive op.

And those are exactly the two posters that I was addressing Just to "prove" that there are actually more than two sides...the account I have heard (from both sides) is different that what both of these posters said...so there, now we have at least 5 versions....

 

[SaltyKSue]

Gordon I think you are already on island time.....only a few more weeks until you are there


Ditto for Blue XT...my favorite op Christi has everything you have listed and then some

Hear, hear!!! I third that motion.
Christi/BlueXT Sea * fantastic.
She will go the extra mile for her customers. Absolutly LOVE her and the OP she runs!