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Dive Review of Marlin Bay Divers/Marlin Bay Resort in
Fiji and Tuvalu

Marlin Bay Divers/Marlin Bay Resort, Jun, 2002,

by Jerre B. Sadler, Florida, USA . Report 121.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 4 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments [None]This is easily the most professionally run dive resort and dive operation I have encountered in my 18 years of diving. The resort staff are dedicated to your relaxation and enjoyment on land and there is virtually nothing you could desire that they would not instantly try to make happen for you. The tropical setting is truly stunning and the physical plant itself is top notch. There are numerous things to do on the island for non-divers including shelling, snorkeling, hiking, photography, fishing, surfing, mongoose watching, birds and butterflies, kayaking, village and school visits, and getting to know the very genuine and incredibly curious Fijians. The bures are way more than I expected and the cleaning staff is always there but you never seem to see them. The restaurant and staff are also top notch serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner and snacks if you just gotta have them. The desserts are memorable. A full range of beverages is always available. The dive operation personnel are quick to help with anything and the dive boats are modern, clean, fairly quick, and easy to get into and out of. You go to the dive platform, your gear is brought to you, and you go diving. Good ladders help you out of the water with your gear on, or off being handled by the captain, dive masters, or crew. Tanks are changed for you. You can get as much or as little help as you need or want without complaint. Dive masters know the dive sites well and make sure that you do also before you hit the water. Corals are in good shape, tropicals/macro are everywhere to be seen, carpet anemones with their resident clownfish abound, octopi and small squid can be seen, sharks are here and there, grouper and snapper and the entire gamut of western Pacific marine life are here with the exception of mantas. We were there in the beginning of their winter so the water was cooler and rougher and occasional currents could surprise you at tide change. Air temps ranged from mid-70's to mid-80's with an occasional rain shower. It can be buggy at dusk and into the evening but bug spray is always available from staff. The 10 hour flight from Los Angeles arriving at dawn, followed by the 3 hour bus and boat ride to the resort can leave you shell-shocked but you have just arrived in paradise. No phones, no computers, no fax's, no TV's, no radios, no roads, and no need for stress. Shop and conduct yourself carefully on the big island though. Don't wear your sparkly jewelry, watch your wallet/purse, and use standard traveler's common-sense. You are back in the real world on the big island. My wife and I would go back in a heartbeat and that would be my recommendation to you.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving [Unspecified]Palau/Yap, Red Sea, Cozumel, Xel Ha, Cayman Islands, Roatan, Dry Tortugas, Bahamas, Florida(salt/fresh), N. Carolina
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm, choppy, surge
Water Temp 78-80°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 40-100 Ft/ 12-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions [Unspecified]Only common sense restrictions. Could use computer without interference
Liveaboard? no 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 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

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

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments [None]No real dedicated area for camera folks but did have a camera rinse tank on board. No film processing on the island I was aware of. Boat crew assisted camera folks on and off. Very careful with all gear.
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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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