ltdemptynest

Scuba tec was top notch! Very happy w them. Thx. Enjoy

@Leejnd4 We just arrived home yesterday, I will take me a bit to get reviews done…But. I wanted you to have the whale swim info so you can see if it works for you. There are a lot of companies that do this. One of the most popular options for this is with a renowned expert on whales who resides in Tahiti. I have no personal opinion, but heard from 2 separate couples on the cruise that they were very disappointed in their experience, not because they didn’t swim with whales, but because of the tour operator- specifically the “expert”. They booked through cruise. I booked the whale swim privately with Pacifik Attitude in Moorea. I opted for a private for my husband and myself. I emailed them directly at pacifikattitude at gmail . com. There were 5 of us on the boat. the Captain, The swim guide, a photographer and us. Not sure if the photographer was included or if he just showed up for personal ?- but he got some great shots, and we bought them from him. I think they offer a small group option as well as the private. Now… you must remember that actually getting to swim with whales is hit or miss. They explain this often and want to limit expectations… but for us we just got very lucky. The guide and photographer who were in the water with us were very excited by our experience as they thought it was rare and exceptional according to their experiences. The private tour that was exiting the boat when we arrived did not swim with whales. ( they were very disappointed). Even if you don’t get to “swim” they usually do get you close enough by boat to see some great breaches and behavior. So I knew going in it may just be a private boat ride- whales or not! The education, boat ride, scenery would have been enough for me even if we didn’t get to swim…. plus they threw in lunch and drinks. feel free to email me at dma1107 at aol. com if you have further questions

As @minidonuts85 has stated… all has been superb. I will post a detailed review upon return. We are also currently at the Moorea Hilton. Flying home on Wednesday. 😞 The highlight for us has been a private whale swim we did! It was surreal. We were able to swim with 3 adult humpbacks about 5 meters from us. Will post a separate review for that as it deserves its own.

@minidonuts85 we r doing the 8 am & 10 am dives tomorrow. i cant believe we haven’t run into you yet? we have dinner res @ 6:30 tonight. where will u be hanging out? correction. 7:45 and 10.

So mesmerizing.... love it!

To all the Divers out there: What are your favorite dives from the PG? ONLY Society Islands (knowing there are better dives on the Tuamotu islands, but unfortunately I will not be there.) I am still searching for the Manta Rays... I have seen them from boats, and from shore... but never on a dive. Does anyone know what the odds are of diving with them on Bora Bora (seems like a regular occurrence but want to set my expectations. )🐟 🌊

@Leejnd4 Thank you so much for this info... it was just what I was looking for. You have been invaluable... too bad you are not on our sailing!!!

We haven’t logged a dive since our kids were certified in 2013… Now our daughter is an SSI Instructor with over 30 certifications. I have never needed to get any additional certs over our open water. we have done deep dives, wreck, shark, drift, livaboard, etc etc… but we are vacation divers and always have a local dive master with us. We are fine being limited to 60 ft… but not fine with being limited to bottom time… hope we are allowed to dive our computer. Since we only have our open water, I hope we dont get stuck with beginners who need to come up too soon. (We don’t mind new divers at all… and glad to help when we can.) If we are limited to 60 ft, then I expect to dive about an hour. Anyone know if buddy teams are allowed to dive computers OR Must everyone come up at same time ?

precisely what we all have been contemplating…. the final decision for me was based on what @Leejnd4 was told from direct communication with the PG dive desk. i will ask again on my Aug 26 sailing and will report back.

Water shoes- ✔️ (I just use my dive booties.) I have a pair of Timberland water sandals.. but they are open.. They are much more comfortable, but probably not a good choice for wading into any water that isn't completely sandy? I have my dive fins that require booties, then I also pack a pair of much smaller snorkel fins (more convenient that lugging around the dive fins).

No problem. I’m just bringing ALL of them… they are similar.

Finally got hubbys diving forms completed!!! 🤿

Hat✔️ Adapter- Ordering now. Thank you for the link. Anyone have a price list for Laundry- ? I thought I saw one somewhere... but I cant find it.

The Health Declaration form titled Medical (the one @minidonuts85 attached above) was an attachment to my vouchers email... The other 2 I found when I clicked on the "DOWNLOAD QUESTIONNMAIRE" in the body of the email. Not sure if that is still needed, but I have them just in case.... it is 6 pages total. 2- 3 page docs I will attach it. 12517C_Health_Declaration-12694_Health_Questionnaire.pdf

Anyone ever get home from Tahiti and Say, " I wish I had packed more stuff?"... I am planning to really pack light.. BUT if you had to have to give advice on something you wish you had packed or something you packed and were glad you did.. What would it be?

Anyone???

Finally received our vouchers (been in spam for a while now) for our Aug 26 sailing. I see that there are 3 medical questionnaires- 1) 3 page titled "MEDICAL" 2) 3 page Titled "Mandatory Health Questionnaire" part 1 completed by passenger, part 2 optional completed by physician. ?? 3) 3 page Titled " Health Declaration Covid 19..." to be handed over prior to boarding in a closed envelope. So 9 pages of questions... gives me questions! I am reading through them now.. am I supposed to turn over all of these when we board? Or do some need to go now?🤔

Documents in hand!!! SO HAPPY! BUT... My husbands Doctor is requiring him to come in for an appointment to get sign off. (LOL) This is the same Medical Practice, just different doctors. To be continued...

Just sign and scan via email..Should have it Monday.

Woohoo!!! My primary will sign the doc no appointment needed. Now just got to get hubby to get his signed!! (OR I will be in need of a new dive buddy lol). Disaster averted.

My primary is reviewing the form now… hopefully it will go through! Would hate to go to a new dr. Did anyone notice that the new questionnaire … if you are over the age of 45 then you must have dr sign off? Uggg makes me feel old.

Thank you for the information and link... glad I have this info now as opposed to learning on the ship!!

I also noticed that there is wording missing from page 1 of the PG forms at the bottom.. wording that is on the same "form" found on diving websites . It usually states "* If you answered YES to questions 3, 5 or 10 above OR to any of the questions on page 2, please read and agree to the statement above by signing and dating it AND take all three pages of this form (Participant Questionnaire and the Physician’s Evaluation Form) to your physician for a medical evaluation. Participation in a diving course requires your physician’s approval." at the bottom of page 1, but the PG form omits this part....

We were also planning on diving on the Aug 26 sailing... the original dive forms I downloaded from PG Website clearly indicated that if you only need to complete the medical certificate from your doctor "if you answered yes to any of the medical statement questions" . I have noticed that the forms on the website have changed since I downloaded the first ones. I agree that this is a pain and was looking forward to diving on the PG... BUT.. I am wondering if I choose and schedule to dive with another dive op on my own.. is all of this necessary? All experienced divers understand the risks and sign waivers.. so I am not sure why the forms changed or the policy changed? Regardless... I will begin researching if I can dive with someone else... . If I am able to schedule a Dr. Appointment to get the medical certificate filled out correctly I will, but like you @Leejnd4 I have NEVER had to produce this form in my 10 plus years of diving.