LauraTaylor - Bluewater Dive Travel

LauraTaylor

LauraTaylor

My Dive Map

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    • - Click on the map to "pin" where you have dived
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Reviews (24)

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Lembeh Strait

5
4
5
4

The muck diving capital of Indonesia attracts the curious diver and macro underwater photographers. This type of diving rewards the patient, slow moving diver having near perfect buoyancy and good air consumption with amazing critters and their habitat on a black sand or silty bottom. Good buoyancy control and etiquette is essential for good visibility and diver harmony to take care not to stir up the bottom with your fins.

Most of us depend on dive guides that know the sites well and have a super-power for spotting the sometimes miniscule, well camouflaged and unusual bottom dwelling creatures.

My favourites seen are the velvet Rhinopias, hairy frog fish, well any frog fish really, ghost pipe fish, seahorses and coconut octopus as they are all a good size for my camera set-up. The blue-ring octopus and mimic octopus are amazing to watch and so much smaller than one expects.

Most dive sites seem to be a special hangout for a particular species. You may spend 20-30 minutes searching before it is found by your guides. So meanwhile you mooch around until your own eyes become accustomed to the black sands and the small bits of fluff that hide their special jewels, just like a treasure hunt really.

Visited on 10/2022 - Submitted on 03/12/2023
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Fish 'n Fins Palau

4
4
3
4

Fish 'n Fins, operated by owner Tova, offers a dive experience with notable strengths and areas for improvement.

The dive center is conveniently located at the boat dock, providing easy access to the water. Guests are responsible for handling their gear, including setup and washing. The center also includes a shop, gear drying room, and the Barracuda Cafe Bar for post-dive refreshments.

Diving with Fish 'n Fins involves guides who vary in style, from assertive to laid-back. Each day features different guides, with an emphasis on equal work distribution among them. Dive times typically last up to 60 minutes, including a 5-minute safety stop, although durations may vary.

Dive groups usually comprise 6 to 9 divers, ranging from new to experienced, with divers using both air and nitrox. This diversity can sometimes limit dive site options and times, and multi-day divers may encounter repeated checkout dive sites, affecting their overall experience.

The best dive sites, such as Blue Corner for sharks and German Channel for mantas, are well-known and favored by divers. Strong currents on some dives are preferred for optimal fish and shark viewing, with reef hooks deployed to allow divers to observe the marine life.

The dive boats are comfortable and covered but have open sides, which can result in getting wet or windy during the ride. It's advisable to bring a light jacket for such conditions. The boats are equipped with sturdy walk-up ladders and dry boxes for personal items, although not all items may remain dry. Water, tea, and coffee are provided on board, but amenities like boat towels are not available. A pre-ordered lunch is enjoyed during a scenic beach stop.

Access and transfers are convenient, with hotel pickup and drop-off services offered. Tipping practices may vary as different guides are assigned each day.

In conclusion, Fish 'n Fins offers a diving experience with knowledgeable guides and comfortable boats. However, improvements in managing dive groups and minimizing repeated checkout dives could enhance the overall quality of the experience.

Visited on 02/2024 - Submitted on 03/24/2024
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Diving in Raja Ampat

5
4
5
5

The so-called epicentre of the coral triangle does not disappoint even the most jaded of divers. The water was unseasonably warm and perhaps slightly lower visibility than previous visits due to the earlier rains, but the fish life is still varied and prolific being a protected marine park.

We had 10 days of diving the Dampier Strait iconic sites. While there were no mantas spotted this trip, most impressive were the schools of Barracuda on most dives, jacks and sweet lips on others especially the Arborek Jetty dive.

Coming from Australia, I was excited to see so many barramundi cod but less enthusiastic than the guides to see wobbegong sharks which are common on our east coast. I particularly enjoyed a bi-plane dive which was richly encrusted with corals and home to tiny anthias decorating the wreck in bright colors.

Our last dive this trip was a gin clear dive on Sardine’s reef, where just hanging in one spot you could see entire layers of the marine food chain in action. It is only in such clear conditions you can truly see the magnificence and scope of the corals and fishes Raja Ampat has to offer.

Visited on 10/2022 - Submitted on 03/12/2023
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Sam's Tours Palau

4
4
3
4

Sam's Tours, located at their own boat dock on Malakal Island, offers a well-organized and spacious environment for both divers and snorkelers.
The dive boats at Sam's Tours are comfortable, covered, and provide side seating, ensuring a drier experience compared to other operators. Convenient walk-up ladders and a dry box under the driver's seat for personal items add to the convenience on board.
Gear handling is efficiently managed by the boat crew, although divers are reminded to retrieve their own wetsuits from the rack. Certified divers can enjoy complimentary Nitrox with 80cf/11l tanks filled with 32% Nitrox.
Camera handling is well organized, with a crate immediately provided for cameras. Refreshments such as water and punch are available on board, and lunch is served between dives. While boat towels and toilets are not provided, the overall comfort and functionality of the boats are acceptable.
Additionally, Sam's Tours facilitates access and transfers to/from hotels, ensuring convenience for their guests.
The diving experience with Sam's Tours relies heavily on the teamwork of the boat captain and the dive guides, who vary each day and ultimately decide on the dive site based on prevailing conditions. They also set the direction and pace of the dives.
During our two dive days, we noticed a significant difference in approach. The first day was characterized by a relaxed and non-prescriptive style from the guides. Dive times typically lasted around 60 minutes, including a safety stop. As photographers, we appreciated this unhurried pace, as it allowed us ample time to focus on interesting subjects without feeling rushed or losing sight of our group.
However, our experience on the second day was quite different. Our guide set a very fast pace for the first dive, which was unsatisfactory for photography. We expressed our desire for a slower pace during the surface interval, but unfortunately, the second dive followed a similar hurried pattern. We were even scolded for lagging behind the group, which was frustrating.
Overall, while the first day provided a positive experience with its relaxed approach, the second day's fast pace and lack of flexibility for photography detracted from our enjoyment.

Visited on 02/2024 - Submitted on 03/26/2024
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