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Dive Review of Octopus Reef/Westin in
Hawaii

Octopus Reef/Westin, Nov, 2008,

by Rodger Sleven, Oregon, USA ( 2 reports). Report 4519.

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 5 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments [None]I had an opportunity to dive with RENE UMBERGER in 2006 and sought her out when I arranged this trip to Hawaii. I can not recommend her with greater enthusiasm. She is a warm and sensitive person as well as an excellent guide. Because of my schedule, I was only able to arrange two shore dives on different days. Although we planned two different sites, she took time to carefully investigate surge and visibility conditions and recommended we return to Uloa beach for the second dive too. I was not disappointed. She is extremely knowledgeable, loves to share information while underwater, and remains enthusiastic about diving at all times. The term "allows you to dive your own profile" is often widely and vaguely applied. In Rene's case this can't be exaggerated. She was very skillful about guiding me to ideal spots, but then allowed me to relax and do what I wanted to do for as long as I felt interested. Specifically, during a 90 minute dive we spent 10-15 minutes just watching an octopus crawl on a wall adjacent to a trigger fish. Each time the fish darted toward the octopus, it abruptly changed colors for us. On the second dive, we spent even more time just lying above a sandy bottom adjacent to a solitary 2-3 foot coral head watching two frog fish, three leaf scorpion fish, an Hawaiian lion fish, and a myriad of Barber pole shrimp. She taught me how to allow the shrimp to clean my fingernails, and even to enter my mouth for "cleaning". She shared my rapture at watching the fish interact w/o any pressure to move on. I have had great dives with other Maui operations; especially with Pacific Divers; but will return to Rene whenever I am back in Maui for that special individual attention.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving Carribean (multiple sites), Cozumel, California Coast
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 76-79°F / 24-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility - Ft/ - M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions None
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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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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