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Dive Review of Ocean Hunter II in
Micronesia/Palau

Ocean Hunter II, Dec, 2005,

by Cres Van Keulen, CA, USA . Report 2914.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments It was 30 hours door-to-door from San Francisco and I would do it all over again in a minute. I used United frequent flier miles to Guam via Osaka Japan, then purchased Guam-Yap-Palau-Yap-Guam ticket from Cindy Harris of Micronesian Divers Assn. Because MDA is Guam-based, they can sell the very expensive Continental Micronesia tickets at a discount when packaged with liveaboard, hotel, etc. In Palau, spent 1 night at the clean but very basic West Plaza Desekel Hotel. Felt sorry for another guest checking in at the same time who was booked there for a week while diving on a day boat. If staying more than 1-2 days, you'll probably be much happier at the Palau Pacific Resort (only one with beach) or the Carolines Resort. When returning I will stay an extra 2-3 days to tour topside, re-visit jellyfish lake (wow!) and kayak the mangrove swamp, etc. New road being built around Babeldaob will really open the area up - maybe too much. The Rock islands of Palau are stunning and I have few complaints about the Oceanhunter II. Would like to charter the smaller Ocean Hunter I with a few friends. Couples should consider upgrading to the upstairs suite with its own balcony but watch out - it was double-booked when I was there and the boat owner's cousin from the Phillipines got it over my friends the Navy doctors from Okinawa. Only 5 of us onboard for our 10 day tour so it was very relaxed and we got lots of attention including fresh sashimi every night once they learned that we loved it. For an unforgettable souvenir the docs and I split the cost to hire a videographer who went diving with us for a day, then mailed the DVD to us. Cap't Mike from MN, divemasters Clayton, Gabby & Eddy, Arley the singing cook, and crew Richard were all great. We saw so many sharks, after a few days it was ho-hum, another shark...Most dives were VERY fishey with great coral, walls, caverns, and tons of healthy micro life. December weather was sublime - low 80s, occasional rain showers, very comfortable. A very pricey trip, but well work it. (See separate review of Yap.)

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Yap, Thailand, Fiji, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, Mexico & Hawaii
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 78-82°F / 26-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 75-125 Ft/ 23-38 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 120 ft depth,signal guide at 1000 PSI, safety stop at 500 PSI. Excellent briefings before every dive and very attentive dive guides made for a very safe environment.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

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

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments We did not have any photographers aboard but it appears to be an excellent set up with lots of table space, electrical outlets and rinse tanks.
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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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