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Instant Reader Report on Diving
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| Reporter | |||
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Dive Experience
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251-500 dives | ||
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Where else diving
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Fiji, Palau, Truk, Galapagos, Cocos, Malpelo, Cozumel and several Caribbean islands |
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| Dive Conditions | |||
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Weather
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sunny, windy |
Seas
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choppy, surge, noCurrents |
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Water Temp
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78 to 82 ° Fahrenheit |
Wetsuit Thickness
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0 |
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Water Visibility
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50 to 90 Feet |
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| Dive Policy | |||
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Dive own profile?
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yes | ||
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Enforced diving restrictions
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[Unspecified] |
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| What I saw | |||
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Sharks
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Lots |
Mantas
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None |
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Dolphins
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None |
Whale Sharks
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None |
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Turtles
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1 or 2 |
Whales
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None |
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Ratings 1 (worst)-
5 (best):
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Corals
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***** |
Tropical Fish
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*** |
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Small Critters
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** |
Large Fish
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** |
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Large Pelagics
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*** |
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| Underwater Photography 1 (worst)- 5 (best): | |||
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Subject Matter
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N/A |
Boat Facilities
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**** |
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Overall rating for UWP's
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**** |
Shore Facilities
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N/A |
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Comments
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[None] |
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| Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst)- 5 (best): | |||
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Accommodations
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**** |
Service
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***** |
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Food
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***** |
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Dive Operation
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**** |
Shore Diving
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*** |
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Overall Rating |
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Beginners
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*** | ||
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Advanced
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**** | ||
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Comments
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A word of caution for those who consider diving with Mike Ball company. Request your price quote in Australian dollars and be very firm about getting it in Australian dollars. As someone who recently came back from diving Coral Sea aboard Spoilsport, I found out (too late for me) that Mike Ball Co. charges much more in US dollars than in Australian. Example: I have paid US $1820 for 6 days aboard Spoilsport (Coral Sea Expedition). Another American, who happened to be living in Middle East and booked the same trip from Middle East, requested and got a price quote in Australian dollars. His price was AU $2800, which translates into approximately $1473 US. And he had exactly the same type of cabin I had. As you can see, a considerable difference. When I got home, I contacted Mike Ball General Manager - Mr. Kielbaska with request for explanation. His responce to my questions about difference in price was: " It is a considered and fair policy based on real overheads associated with attracting and servicing different sectors of our market". Draw your own conclusions, but as far as I am concerned, this is the last time I was diving with the company, that, in my opinion, has a very unfair and discriminatory pricing policy. |
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Questions? Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. It is presented here to provide Undercurrent readers with timely information on dive operations worldwide. The material may contain errors, typos, ... Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above. An edited version of this report will likely appear in the next Travelin' Divers' Chapbook, which will be sent to newsletter subscribers and published online for Online Members. |
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