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Dive Review of Mike Ball/Spoilsport in
Australia/Coral Sea

Mike Ball/Spoilsport, May, 2002,

by Peter Snitkovsky, PA, United States . Report 114.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments
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.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Fiji, Palau, Truk, Galapagos, Cocos, Malpelo, Cozumel and several Caribbean islands
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas choppy, surge, noCurrents
Water Temp 78-82°F / 26-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 50-90 Ft/ 15-27 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions [Unspecified]
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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