Main Menu
Join Undercurrent on Facebook

The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975 | |
For Divers since 1975
The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975
"Best of the Web: scuba tips no other
source dares to publish" -- Forbes
X
 

Dive Review of Deep Sea Divers Den/Taka in
Australia/Great Barrier Reef

Deep Sea Divers Den/Taka, May, 2013,

by Mel Turner, WA, AU (Reviewer Reviewer 3 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 7293.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments I went on an overnight (one night) liveaboard with Deep Sea Divers Den. The first day started out on their "day-trip" boat, which is a large and very comfortable boat (I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the vessel).

I completed two dives off this boat, before being transferred to the "Taka" - which is the "Liveaboard" boat.

Once on the Taka, I did another afternoon dive, and one night dive - totalling 5 dives for that day.

The second day I completed three dives before heading back to Cairns - so in total I completed 7 dives for the two days / one night with Deep Sea Divers Den.

I was happy with the facilities on the Taka - they were by no means 5 star, but they were comfortable. The communal area was large and spacious, with lots of tables & chairs, and loads of critter ID books to sift through.

I had a twin-share room with another guest. The rooms had a single bunk bed, there wasn't much room to store our clothes (only a tiny cupboard) - but I was only there for one night so this didn't bother me too much. I would have wanted a little more room if I were staying longer (and next time would probably consider one of the bigger rooms).

The diving area was very nicely organised - again with plenty of space for all of my gear. I didn't feel like I was falling all over people when kitting up / disassembling my gear.

The food was tasty and varied enough that there was something for everyone. Drinks were available to purchase at reasonable prices.

For the price I paid - I think I got excellent value.

My only gripe is with the ridiculous regulations(which I understand are more to do with the Government as opposed to the the company themselves). I think it is ridiculous to almost be denied a third dive when my first was to 20.6m and my second dive was 20.9m (the rule was the first dive MUST be the deepest dive of the day). Made me feel like I was in trouble (I almost thought I was going to be sent to the naughty corner!)

If I have one recommendation - it is DO THE NIGHT DIVE!!! The sharks and huge trevally were just awesome, well worth doing.
Websites Deep Sea Divers Den   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia (Borneo), South Africa, Australia (Queensland, NSW, Vic, WA)
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 23-24°C / 73-75°F Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 10-15 M / 33-49 Ft

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions A lot (it is Queensland!) Maximum dive times enforced, subsequent dives HAD to be shallower than earlier dives (this was enforced brutally!), must carry a snorkel
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments There were large table areas inside (in dry area) which was ample room to set up photography gear. These weren't dedicated photography rooms, but they served the purpose. Also lots of power points available to charge batteries etc
Was this report helpful to you?
Leave a comment (Subscribers only -- 200 words max)
Subscribers can comment here
 

Subscribe Now
Subscribers can post comments, ask the reviewer questions, as well as getting immediate and complete access to ALL 178 dive reviews of Australia and all other dive destinations. Complete access to all issues and Chapbooks is also included.

 
Featured Links from Our Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Reef & Rainforest, Let our experience be your guide -- Reef and Rainforest
Reef & Rainforest
is an agency for travelers that scuba dive. See the Great Barrier Reef, Cod Hole, kangaroos, outback, leafy seadragons. Let us plan your adventure to Australia.

Want to assemble your own collection of Australia reports in one place?
Use the Mini Chapbook Facility to create your personalized collection.

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.

Undercurrent Home


Get more dive info like these and other important scuba updates sent monthly to your email.
And a FREE Recent Issue of Undercurrent

Free Undercurrent Issue
Get a free
monthly email and
a sample issue!


Find in  

| Home | Online Members Area | My Account | Login | Join |
| Travel Index | Dive Resort & Liveaboard Reviews | Featured Reports | Recent Issues | Back Issues |
| Dive Gear Index | Health/Safety Index | Environment & Misc. Index | Seasonal Planner | Blogs | Free Articles | Book Picks | News |
| Special Offers | RSS | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us | Links |

Copyright © 1996-2024 Undercurrent (www.undercurrent.org)
3020 Bridgeway, Ste 102, Sausalito, Ca 94965
All rights reserved.

Page computed and displayed in 0.09 seconds