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Dive Review of Uepi Resort in
Solomon Islands/Western Providence

Uepi Resort, Apr, 2008,

by Kent Roorda, CO, USA (Reviewer Reviewer 4 reports). Report 4005.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 2 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 2 stars Shore Diving 2 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 2 stars
Comments We went to Uepi Resort for a few days after have been on the liveaboard Bilikiki for a couple of weeks. Getting to Uepi Resort requires a one hour flight from Honaira, and a one+ hour boat right from the grass strip airport to the resort. The trip on the water is generally very smooth as it is within the protected lagoon.
Uepi Resort, in my opinion, is a nice place to go to rest and relax. It is often sold as a diving destination, but it's diving leaves a lot to be desired. Reefs and fish life are only so-so. The dive guides do not help you set up or care for your gear. There's hardly a place on the dive boats for a bottle of defog, so one should be forewarned if they are taking camera gear that they are concerned about. There are a lot of begging sharks off the pier at Uepi. It's a great opportunity to literally swim with Black Tips and Reef Sharks. Even little kids were swimming and snorkeling with the sharks. The private cottages are spread out on a small penisula and give the guests nice privacy. There is no hot water, but it's really no big deal since the outside temp is normally in the high 80's - which gives you a semi-warm shower. Rooms are not air-conditioned, but have fans. Nevertheless, if it's hot and muggy,(which is nearly always is!) you'll be hot and muggy as well. The owners/operators, Grant and Jill, are very nice and hospitable. Meals were 'okay' but there were many times when there was not enough food for everyone. For instance, salad for 24 guests was served on a standard dinner plate. Meals were also often late, thus forcing guests to wait as late as 9pm for dinner. Uepi is quite popular with some Australians, but, I couldn't imagine traveling all the way there from North America when there are much better operations and resorts within the North American region and Carribbean. As for diving conditions in the Solomon's, it appears to be on quite a quick decline. Overfishing and lack of concern for the reefs is very evident. While on the Bilikiki liveaboard, as well as while we were at Uepi, there was fishing line draped all over the reefs nearly everywhere we went....very evident and obvious that the people were fishing right on the best of the reefs.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Carribbean, Bahamas, Central America, Mexico, Fiji, Indonesia, Many Islands in South Pacific
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather windy Seas calm
Water Temp 82-85°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 25-50 Ft/ 8-15 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions A dive master generally goes in the water with you, but rarely enforces any rules - since they generally chew Beetle Nut before dives.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 2 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's 2 stars Shore Facilities 1 stars
UW Photo Comments There is no room, or tables in the dive shop to set up camera gear. It must be done in your room; previous to going diving.
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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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