Dive Review of
Ocean Hunter II in
Micronesia/Palau

Yap, Thailand, Fiji, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, Mexico & Hawaii

Dive Conditions

120 ft depth,signal guide at 1000 PSI, safety stop at 500 PSI. Excellent
briefings before every dive and very attentive dive guides made for a very
safe environment.  

We did not have any photographers aboard but it appears to be an excellent
set up with lots of table space, electrical outlets and rinse tanks.  

Overall Rating

It was 30 hours door-to-door from San Francisco and I would do it all over
again in a minute. I used United frequent flier miles to Guam via Osaka
Japan, then purchased Guam-Yap-Palau-Yap-Guam ticket from Cindy Harris of
Micronesian Divers Assn. Because MDA is Guam-based, they can sell the very
expensive Continental Micronesia tickets at a discount when packaged with
liveaboard, hotel, etc. In Palau, spent 1 night at the clean but very basic
West Plaza Desekel Hotel. Felt sorry for another guest checking in at the
same time who was booked there for a week while diving on a day boat. If
staying more than 1-2 days, you'll probably be much happier at the Palau
Pacific Resort (only one with beach) or the Carolines Resort. When
returning I will stay an extra 2-3 days to tour topside, re-visit jellyfish
lake (wow!) and kayak the mangrove swamp, etc. New road being built around
Babeldaob will really open the area up - maybe too much. The Rock islands
of Palau are stunning and I have few complaints about the Oceanhunter II.
Would like to charter the smaller Ocean Hunter I with a few friends.
Couples should consider upgrading to the upstairs suite with its own
balcony but watch out - it was double-booked when I was there and the boat
owner's cousin from the Phillipines got it over my friends the Navy doctors
from Okinawa. Only 5 of us onboard for our 10 day tour so it was very
relaxed and we got lots of attention including fresh sashimi every night
once they learned that we loved it. For an unforgettable souvenir the docs
and I split the cost to hire a videographer who went diving with us for a
day, then mailed the DVD to us. Cap't Mike from MN, divemasters Clayton,
Gabby & Eddy, Arley the singing cook, and crew Richard were all great.
We saw so many sharks, after a few days it was ho-hum, another shark...Most
dives were VERY fishey with great coral, walls, caverns, and tons of
healthy micro life. December weather was sublime - low 80s, occasional rain
showers, very comfortable. A very pricey trip, but well work it. (See
separate review of Yap.) 

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