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Dive Review of TOPdive/Pension Havaiki; Motu Aito Paradise in
French Polynesia/Fakarava North and South

TOPdive/Pension Havaiki; Motu Aito Paradise: "Great diving in Fakaravaa", Sep, 2014,

by Jason Marks, CA, US (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 7 reports with 4 Helpful votes). Report 8052.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 2 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Some of the best dives I've had anywhere. Sharks: Fleets of black tips, many lagoon white tips, grays and a few of the "banded" or "ghost" sharks. Napoleon wrasse are common, and there are large schools of barracuda, snappers, etc.

Currents can be quite strong, and the timing for diving the passes can be tricky. Topdive did an excellent job of getting us to the right spots at the right time and planning the dives for maximum life and variety.

When high waves bring a lot of water into the lagoon, the much coveted incoming currents can be reduced or preempted for a day or three. So budget enough time that you can wait out the high lagoon.

Coral cover and reef tropicals were in good shape but lacking the kind of diversity you see in the Indo-Pacific.
Websites TOPdive   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Indonesia, Phillipines, Maldives, Caribbean, Micronesia.
Closest Airport N. Fakarava Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas choppy, currents
Water Temp 79-81°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions 29 meter limit for PADI Open and Advanced Open Water divers (one star in the French system).
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

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 1 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

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

Subject Matter 2 stars Boat Facilities 2 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 2 stars Shore Facilities 2 stars
UW Photo Comments Boats are small and can be a bit crowded, but the crew does its best, and there were no problems with the cameras. Water was very short at S. Fakarava, so rinsing was a challenge.
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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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