#21042 - 04/27/05 08:31 AM
Never been diving
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Beachlvr
Member
Registered: 02/17/05
Posts: 260
Loc: Orlando, FL
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I have never been diving and I hadn't planned to. However I am going to Moorea, Bora Bora and Raiatea. I have read so much about how great the diving is and how much you see. Is this really a not to miss activity? Is it worth it to get certified just to dive in FP??
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#21043 - 04/27/05 10:54 AM
Re: Never been diving
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MGold
Member
Registered: 01/10/05
Posts: 21
Loc: Michigan
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Beachlvr, from my perspective, it is a not to be missed activity. I think there is a whole other world to see & enjoy. But maybe you'll like it and maybe you won't. Do you like snorkeling? Do you like looking at marine life? I have some friends that think a fish, is a fish is a fish - so it is probably not the best experience for them. Are you comfortable in the water?
I went to Bora Bora last year. Hadn't dove before but plenty of snorkle experience. We (my husband and I) decided to go at the beginning of my busy season at work. We left the day after my busy season ended. So there was no chance for me to get certified. We stayed at the PB resort in BB which has a dive shop. My husband thought I would freak out about the sharks but the more I thought about it the more I knew I couldn't pass up the experience. (Growing up I was totally addicted to the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau show - probably dating myself here.) So we went on an introductory dive. Not too deep, just my husband and I with the dive instructor. Yep that was it - totally hooked. Did 10 more dives while we were there. My husband & I are now certified.
If you have time, you could try an introductory dive before going on vacation to see if it is for you. The dive shops around me offer that. It's in a pool. So you can see if you are comfortable with scuba'g before investing in the certification procedure.
If you don't have time and you are on vacation, I wouldn't let that stop you from taking the introductory dive. Some things to think about though - be sure that you are comfortable in the water (because they probably can't handle a whole lot of hand holding in this setting); be sure that you are comfortable with the dive shop & instructor; I would make sure that you have a very small group on your first few dives; google scuba diving and look at the risks; and be sure that you are in pretty good health, not tired or dehydrated before you go diving.
Diving in FP, was kind of like being in Saving Nemo - sharks, clown fish, lots of other colorful fish, turtles, giant clams, eels, coral, sea anemones...
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#21044 - 04/27/05 11:35 AM
Re: Never been diving
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marshamouse
Advisor
Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 529
Loc: Boise, Idaho
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We had 2 dives included in our package on a trip we took in 1999. Neither of us dive, but had done alot of snorkeling and were comfortable in the water and game for a new experience. We were so glad we did. Our first dive was from the Pearl Resort on Manihi. We had an instructor that went over everything carefully with us before we left in the boat and stayed with us the entire time. A couple other more experienced divers went also, but another instructor was in charge of them. Was a wonderful experience - so we took advantage of the second dive on Moorea.
There were several points of view expressed on this forum the last time this topic came up - both pro and con for inexperienced divers doing a first dive in FP. You might want to do a search and see what you come up with.
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#21045 - 04/27/05 04:52 PM
Re: Never been diving
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Bob from NJ
Member
Registered: 02/07/05
Posts: 259
Loc: New Jersey
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Hi Beachlvr,
MGold and marshamouse gave you some great info.
If you can test yourself somewhere to see if you're comfy in the water, and you are, then I would try to get certified before I went.
The Mrs. and I are going to Moorea and BB for our 40th in June. I'm a certified diver since the early 80's. However this trip I won't dive for a few reasons. The Mrs. is not a swimmer, plus I think I just want to relax and snorkel. Just getting lazy,(older also),I guess.
If you can be comfortable in the water, then I would not pass up diving in FP. From all the photos I've seen this has to be one of the most beautiful places to dive in the world.
Diving is addictive, if you're comfortable.
As MGold stated if you do an introductory course, or even if you get certified, make sure your group is small and your instructor is always monitoring you. This is important.
I think getting certified is worth it. Esp. if you're going on any future vacations. Just keep on top of it.
This is only my opinion.--Good Luck and enjoy!
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#21046 - 04/28/05 07:24 AM
Re: Never been diving
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Beachlvr
Member
Registered: 02/17/05
Posts: 260
Loc: Orlando, FL
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Thanks for all the advice.  I think that I am going to look into getting certified. I don't want to miss a great experience especially since this will probably be my one and only time going to FP.
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#21047 - 04/30/05 06:33 PM
Re: Never been diving
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reubenray
Member
Registered: 02/27/05
Posts: 116
Loc: New Orleans
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I have been thinking about diving also. I love to snorkle, but have never made the next step being my wife does not swim. I hate to enjoy and see things she will never see. In the meantime in June we are going to Akumal, Mexico and I may do a resort dive to see if I like it or not. If I do I might just do a resort dive in Tahiti when we go in November. The reason for the resort dive is I am 53 and will probably not do a lot of diving (if anymore)and it is an expensive hobby. If I knew that we would be going places to dive every year or so it would be a different story. I also have a bad back and this may affect all items if I try the resort dive in Mexico.
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#21048 - 04/30/05 06:33 PM
Re: Never been diving
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reubenray
Member
Registered: 02/27/05
Posts: 116
Loc: New Orleans
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I have been thinking about diving also. I love to snorkle, but have never made the next step being my wife does not swim. I hate to enjoy and see things she will never see. In the meantime in June we are going to Akumal, Mexico and I may do a resort dive to see if I like it or not. If I do I might just do a resort dive in Tahiti when we go in November. The reason for the resort dive is I am 53 and will probably not do a lot of diving (if anymore)and it is an expensive hobby. If I knew that we would be going places to dive every year or so it would be a different story. I also have a bad back and this may affect all items if I try the resort dive in Mexico.
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#21049 - 04/30/05 06:35 PM
Re: Never been diving
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reubenray
Member
Registered: 02/27/05
Posts: 116
Loc: New Orleans
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I have been thinking about diving also. I love to snorkle, but have never made the next step being my wife does not swim. I hate to enjoy and see things she will never see. In the meantime in June we are going to Akumal, Mexico and I may do a resort dive to see if I like it or not. If I do I might just do a resort dive in Tahiti when we go in November. The reason for the resort dive is I am 53 and will probably not do a lot of diving (if anymore)and it is an expensive hobby. If I knew that we would be going places to dive every year or so it would be a different story. I also have a bad back and this may affect all items if I try the resort dive in Mexico.
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#21050 - 04/30/05 06:36 PM
Re: Never been diving
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reubenray
Member
Registered: 02/27/05
Posts: 116
Loc: New Orleans
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Sorry about the double post the PC hung up.
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#21051 - 04/30/05 07:44 PM
Re: Never been diving
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sunandfun
Junior Member
Registered: 04/30/05
Posts: 4
Loc: new jersey
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Hi Beachlvr,
Just came back and the dives were great in bora bora and moorea. I've heard the diving in Raiatea are geat. Just to let you know, you will see sharks so make sure you are comfortable with that or at least ok with it. I would get certified and try and get a couple of dives in first. I have dove over 30 times on and I never saw some many shark as I did in moorea. It was great. Good luck and have fun
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