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Dive Review of TOPdive/Oceania, Marina in
French Polynesia/Fakarava and Bora Bora

TOPdive/Oceania, Marina, Jan, 2012,

by linda nelson, UT, US ( 2 reports). Report 6869.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations N/A Food N/A
Service and Attitude N/A Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments We had a good commuication with Top Dive from before we left home, and recruited a few more divers from the people we met on the way to Top Dive resorts. The price included nitrox, if certified for it, and good rental gear. We were divided into small groups to have only 4 or so people with each guide. One Top Dive guide in Bora Bora was better with experienced divers, so one new-ish diver was not having such a good time. For us, they were wonderful.
I knew ahead of time that the corals wouldn't be in very good shape, but saw signs that they were making a come-back. The guides were good abut helping the poorer divers not kick the reef. There were many beautiful and colorful tropical fish, and LOTS of sharks- we saw greys, white tips, black tips and lemon sharks, due to some of the snorkeling busineses feeding the sharks to entertain their clients. There are eagle rays, which we didn't see, and we did see two large friendly manta rays.
We enjoyed the service, with Top Dive exceeding our expectations.
The scenery is not as exciting as Raja Ampat or colorful as Fiji, but we went diving to see what is there, instead of what is not, and it was wonderful.
Websites TOPdive   Oceania, Marina

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Lots of places, but on this trip, Robinson Crusoe Island, Easter Island, Fakarava, and Bora Bora
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather rainy, cloudy Seas choppy, currents
Water Temp 82-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 18-100 Ft/ 5-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions We were required to stay with the guide and our group-but it was not a problem. We went plenty deep, and came back when the least efficient diver ran low on air. One dive in Bora Bora had terrible vis, maybe due to rain, making it impossible to see the main reason for the dive,which was eagle rays.
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 5 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 4 stars
UW Photo Comments they had a nice outdoor area to put things together, a rinse bucket, and camera-savvy crew on the vessels..
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Subscriber's Comments

By Robert Halem in CA, US at Feb 05, 2013 20:09 EST  
I love your comment "we went diving to see what is there, instead of what is not". That, after all, is what it is about!!
By Robert McDonald in OH, US at Feb 23, 2013 10:44 EST  
My husband love diving in French Polynesia but have not been to Fakarava yet. Do you have any suggestions about where (or where not) to stay on Fakarava?
By Robert Halem in CA, US at Feb 23, 2013 13:23 EST  
Just back from a cruise on Ocean Princess around French Polynesia. TopDive was great (need to post my own reviews). One focal point in Moorea handled my bookings for four islands. At each stop, they were on time and where promised to pick me up.
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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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