French Polynesia & Newbie diving advice & recs?

[aeonflux10]

My hubby and I are going to Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, and Tahiti in about a month. We are diving newbies and getting our open water certification to scuba dive before we leave, but we'd appreciate recs and advice about:

1. dive shops in each location (or shops to avoid!) - for the "avoids" was the equipment iffy? or the dive trip not well executed?

2. Because of limited funds, we won't be able to do many dives at each island - I think we are going to have to pick and choose. I'd love to prioritize our dives to see the "must sees" first, and we'd love to get your advice on this.

3. any recommended dive packages. some shops have stores on more than 1 island and offer multiple dive packages amongst the different islands. Is this a good idea in general?

4. any perspective on how much diving is "enough" for first-timers. I think we are going to try to arrange dives before we go, but we don't want to sign up for too much or too little.

5. from any female divers - did you get cold diving in French Polynesia? how much covering did you feel comfortable with when diving? Neoprene? just a thin layer? short or full length attire?

6. any other advice for diving in this part of the world?

Thanks for anything you can pass along!

Chantal

 

[Freediver81]

First of all let me tell you that I envy you for going to paradise! :waterwork

I was in French Polynesia for a month in 2002 and it was amazing!

The best dive I ever did was in Tiki Point Moorea with a dive club called Bathy's dive club! Its run by a french guy which I have forgotten his name but the club is found in the Moorea inter continental hotel!
The above dive is a dive with 100 sharks! Very safe and beautiful dive (visibility was about 50m)!

The second dive that I had in French Polynesia was a dive in Bora Bora - The dive is called Manta ray dive and you can see at least five huge Manta's in the lagoon!! I don't remember the dive clubs name but their equipment wasn't good anyway ( I ran out of air and my partners octupus didn't work!!!) Always check equipment before you dive!!! (visibility was about 20m)

The third dive I had in Bora Bora was with Lemon sharks and we also got to see other big Pelagics as well- This dive was outside the lagoon and was very beautiful! Visibility was about 40m!)

My friend and I dived all the above dives without a wetsuit and we didn't feel cold but the rest fo the divers did wear wetsuits which were supplied by the dive club!!!

Have fun and if you need recommendations for the best budget hotels in the best locations contact me!

Said

 

[island_sands]

ok freediver81 now you really have to post us some pictures!!!