Dive Review of
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| Reporter | |||
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Dive Experience
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101-250 dives | ||
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Where else diving
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Palau, Costa Rica, Caymans, USVI, Belize, Cozumel |
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Dive Conditions |
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Weather
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sunny |
Seas
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calm |
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Water Temp
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81 to 82 ° Fahrenheit |
Wetsuit Thickness
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0 |
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Water Visibility
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60 to 80 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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They request you stay with group or a buddy. Dive time limited to ensure ample surface interval for subsequent dives, but typically reached no-deco limit within that time, anyway. |
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Liveaboard?
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no |
Nitrox Available?
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N/A |
| What I saw | |||
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Sharks
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1 or 2 |
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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> 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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Small Critters
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Large Fish
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Large Pelagics
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| Underwater Photography 1 (worst)- 5 (best): | |||
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Subject Matter
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Boat Facilities
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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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Large rinse buckets were provided, along with ample room on all boats for safe storage between dives, though no dedicated table/area for cameras. Overall rating is boosted by subject matter, as evidenced by my results (groups.msn.com/scottdiving). Would have been a 5 with more macro stuff. Low diver-to-guide ratios made it easy to take your time with great photo ops. |
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| Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst)- 5 (best): | |||
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Accommodations
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Food
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Service and Attitude
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Environmental Sensitivity
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N/A |
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Dive Operation
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Shore Diving
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Snorkeling
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N/A |
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Overall Rating |
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Value for $$
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N/A | ||
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Beginners
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Advanced
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Comments
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First of all, Warm Water Divers owns no boats. They are an agent that contracts with several reputable dive operators in the area. Nonetheless, they are very reliable, offer extensive destination options each day, and take their fee from the operator instead of the client. Dived with Siam Adventure Tours in the Similans (they get the award for the best boats and service, incuding on-board marine biologist), Santana Divers (good operation, but most staff a bit stuffy), and Euro Divers (not the nicest boat, but great and fun staff who know how to find the critters for their clients). When one operator had a problem, Warm Water immediately contacted me to make arrangments for an alternate the next day and cheerfully refunded the price difference. All operators had no more than 4 divers per DM, and I had my own private guide on more than one occasion. The Similans offered the most consistently good diving, with impressive, healthy reefs of various hard and soft corals so thick you couldn't see rock in many areas. Vis always good. Phi Phi islands were also great, with excellent diversity. King Cruiser wreck was a bit disappointing, with 30' (or worse) vis, but some interesting creatures. Anemone Reef and Shark Point are must-do's, because of the healthy reefs and abundant life. Thailand's Andaman Sea is a great value on some world class diving. It should be on everyone's wish list. Food is CHEAP, hotels are many and can be quite reasonably priced. Service is overall some of the best you'll find anywhere. |
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Questions?
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