Nitroxjunkie - Bluewater Dive Travel

Nitroxjunkie

Nitroxjunkie

Nitroxjunkie's picture

My Dive Map

  • Tips for using My Dive Map
    • - Click on the map to "pin" where you have dived
    • - Type in the name of the dive location, e.g. La Paz, Baja, Mexico
    • - Click on the plus sign to zoom in on the map
    • - Click, hold and drag to move the map around

Reviews (58)

Mark as helpful 

Scuba Diving in Maui

4
4
5
5

We traveled to Maui in September as two couples; two divers and two non-divers. We rented a 2 bedroom condo outside of Lahaina and drove there in a rental car we picked up at the airport. After chilling by the pool for a day, we decided to do some scuba diving. We reserved 3 days at a dive shop in downtown Lahaina, walking distance from the boat. We customized our dive package and chose the Molokini Backwall dive the first day. The diver operator provided a light breakfast before we headed down to the dock. It's a drift dive on a near-vertical wall on the back side of the submerged Molokini volcano crater. We drifted between 70 and 90 feet deep while watching the beautiful fish on the wall side. Many of these fish are endemic to Hawaii and found nowhere else in the world. About 20 minutes into the dive, we were surprised to see a pod of dolphins swim past in the blue water. Toward the end of the dive, we spotted a whitetip reef shark. During the surface interval, we ate the included lunch and the boat was moved to the corner of the crater. We started this drift dive just outside and made our way to the inside of the crater. This area has fantastic hard corals and we saw lots of fish, a moray, and a large ray. The water here was very warm and clear. There were a lot of snorkelers above us and we were able to wave to each other. Cookies were served on the ride back. These were two enjoyable dives.

Day two was the Hammerhead trip to Molokai. After a boat trip of about 1 hour, we did our first drift dive looking for scalloped hammerheads. About 25 minutes into the dive, we spotted several. It was exciting to see them, but we were hoping to see a larger congregation. Beggars can't be choosers and seeing even one Hammerhead is a thrill. After lunch, we made a second dive which was very much like the first one. We did see a small group of hammers and enjoyed the show. Once the diving was done, the weather was so perfect, the boat crew went out of their way to cruise around the island so we could see parts that divers and tourists rarely see. Even the crew was excited to be cruising these parts of the island under such pristine weather and ocean conditions. Breakfast, lunch, and cookies were included again.

Day three was a 3 tank safari to the far side of Lanai. This trip included three drift dives on sites less frequently visited than regular trips. The underwater topography is beautiful with really diverse reefs, sheer walls, and some swim-throughs. These were excellent dives where we spotted dolphins, whitetips, turtles, and tons of colorful reef fish. The captain decided to continue around the island instead of returning the way we came. As we started to turn the corner for the crossing back to Lanai, it was obvious the wind had come up and it was too rough to continue. We eventually turned around and went back the way we came. It was a rough ride and my buddy was seasick the whole ride back. Bummer for him! The same meals included, but I'm sure he wished he hadn't eaten at all.

The rest of the trip was spent on the topside with our wives. We drove the road to Hana, stopping along the way to visit some waterfalls, hike in a bamboo forest, and once we got to Hana, we spent time at the seven sacred pools. On other days we found some excellent snorkeling beaches and did some sunbathing. We found some really good restaurants and had fun shopping for souvenirs.

Bottom line: Maui is a place for sun, fun, and great diving. No passport required for US citizens. Be sure to have shave ice in Lanai with all the extras. You won't be disappointed.

Visited on 09/2015 - Submitted on 05/08/2020
Read all Scuba Diving in Maui Dive Travel reviews
Mark as helpful 

Ocean Frontiers Dive Shop - East End, Grand Cayman Island

5
5
5
5

Ocean Frontiers is the on-site dive operation at Compass Point Dive Resort. They are a true valet service. They load and set up your gear each day, then at the end of the day, they break it down, rinse, and store it. The crews and dive masters are all incredible. The location at the far east end of the island allows diving under most weather condition since they have the ability to head north, east, or south, depending on conditions. There are 55 different marked dive sites that they visit. They have a great challenge to complete all 55. I love this place, have made many trips here, and I'm already planning a return trip.

Visited on 04/2022 - Submitted on 10/25/2022
Mark as helpful 

Pacific Rim Divers, LTD.

5
5
5
5

Before traveling to Kona, I arranged diving with Pacific Rim Divers after a recommendation from a friend. I called them and found out that they take only small groups of divers and reservations were necessary to avoid being turned away because of a full boat. It is a family run operation and the husband and wife team were on the boat almost every day. Patrice is an incredible dive master. During her briefing, she shows pictures of fish you are likely to see and she does her best to point out every one. She often finds rare fish as well. Her husband, Frank, lead many dives and was a very knowledgeable guide as well. The bonus is that Patrice bakes fresh brownies for the boat every day. This is a great operation and I highly recommend them. Watch out for the chicken! An inside joke you will find out about on the boat the first day.

Visited on 06/2019 - Submitted on 02/15/2023
Mark as helpful 

Palau

4
5
5
4

After a week of diving in the Philippines, I was able to take a non-stop flight directly from Manila to Palau for another week of spectacular diving. Palau is everything you may have heard about, and more. For scuba divers, Palau has just about everything you might be interested in: sheer walls, colorful reefs, drift diving, wrecks, caves and blue holes, big animals, macro life during blackwater diving, and jellyfish lake.

There are so many different dive experiences, it's hard to choose a favorite. A few of the best wall dives are Peleliu Wall, New Drop Off, and Big Drop Off. These are full of life, including giant sea fans and pelagics are often seen. German Channel is considered one of the world’s best drift dives where mantas are frequently spotted. Peleliu Express is another exciting drift dive. There are many wrecks to explore including the Helmet Wreck and the Zeke fighter plane and other World War ll wrecks. There are several blue holes at the surface that lead to a large cavern with an exit onto the wall. Chandelier Cave is an easy dive where you are able to see stalactites and stalagmites and surface in air pockets inside the cave.

Some of the big animals that can be seen while diving in Palau are: several species of sharks, mantas, dugongs, Napoleon wrasse, and giant clams. For macro diving, black water night dives are offered, where macro creatures are the main attraction. Jellyfish Lake is a unique snorkel dive where you share the water with thousands of non-stinging jellyfish. It was closed in 2017 due to a drastic population decline, but was reopened in 2019. Palau’s signature dive, and one that appears on every list of the world's best dives, is Blue Corner. There is a very strong current here, requiring a Reef hook, where you hook in and watch the parade of large numbers of Gray Reef Sharks and White Tip Reef Sharks. This is a must-dive site for experienced divers. On the boat rides to many of the dive locations, you will weave your way through the Rock Islands, a beautiful trip among mushroom-shaped limestone outcroppings. There are many dive operators to choose from that dive all the best spots.

There are plenty of things to do when not diving. World War ll history in on display during a land tour of Peleliu, where there are still many relics left on the island after one of the fiercest battles of the war. Palau has a rich culture, which can be explored at the local cultural center. A wonderful souvenir is a storyboard, which is a hand-carved wood plank that tells the story of one of many legends unique to Palau. Some of the local islanders also chew betel nut, which gives them an energy boost. It turns their teeth red after chewing. Everyone here is super friendly and warmly welcomes visitors.

There are lots of resorts and hotels to choose from and many restaurants, some of which serve a local favorite, fruit bat soup, prepared using a whole bat which is served in the soup. It can be washed down with one of the local beers, Red Rooster.

Bottom line: Palau is a destination with world class diving, a rich culture, restaurants offering many different cuisines, and a warm and friendly population. Add Palau to your bucket list, you won't regret it.

Visited on 02/2016 - Submitted on 04/06/2020
Read all Palau Dive Travel reviews
Mark as helpful 

Palau Pacific Resort

4
5
5
5

I chose to stay at the Palau Pacific Resort after reading some reviews and getting recommendations from other divers. I'm glad I did! This is a beautiful property with lush grounds that include tropical plants and a saltwater pond filled with reef fish and rays. The garden view room I stayed in, looked out onto the pond. My room had a king size bed, a/c, flat-screen TV, and free wifi. There was also a small patio right outside. It was kept immaculate by housekeeping and was a comfortable home away from home during my stay.

When I wasn't scuba diving, I spent a lot of time in the gorgeous infinity pool, on the beautiful white sand beach, on the resort’s hiking trail, or at their awesome bar. Every staff member was gracious and friendly. They tried their best to accommodate my every wish. The resort also has a spa, gym, tennis courts, and a gift shop. I ate at the buffet breakfast every morning. It is a very extensive assortment of eastern and western foods. The quality was extraordinary. Room service is also offered. I ate lunches provided by my off-site dive operator and dinners at several different restaurants within a short distance of the resort. Splash Palau is the on-site dive operator featuring a dive center, dive trips, and rental gear. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and would definitely stay here again.

Visited on 02/2016 - Submitted on 04/06/2020
Read all Palau Pacific Resort Dive Resort reviews
Mark as helpful 

Paradise Taveuni Fiji

5
5
4
4

I traveled to Fiji in October. The first week of my trip was spent at Paradise Taveuni. The owners, Terri and Alan, are wonderful hosts. They endeavor to meet every need of their guests. They live across the road from the resort and take a hands-on approach to everyday operation. Alan dove with us every day and Teri sees the onsite operation. They have an on-site farm to supply the kitchen with fresh produce. We had a meal plan that provided three meals daily, with everything being prepared to order. The menus differed each day with specials available for both lunch and dinner. We found the food to be delicious and abundant.

The staff is beyond wonderful. You are always greeted with a big smile and an enthusiastic “bula”. Fijians are the friendliest people on the face of the earth and it shows at Paradise Taveuni. Our bure had an ocean view, with a king-size bed, air conditioning, large bathroom, outdoor stone shower, mini-refrigerator, and coffeemaker. The grounds are well kept and there is a beautiful pool. Tables are set around the grounds to sit and eat or gaze at the ocean. The great room has wifi and a comfortable lounge area.

The diving was almost exclusively at the rainbow reef, where the dive sites were exceptional! The dive staff was very attentive and dedicated to safety. They tend to your gear at the end of the day by taking it off the boat, rinsing, and drying. We happened to be there on Fiji Day (independence day) and we joined in the giant celebration with the other guests and all the staff. The resort staff also arranged day excursions for us on non-diving days to nearby villages, waterfalls, natural waterslide, international dateline, and the historic church. We loved this resort and would definitely return.

Visited on 10/2019 - Submitted on 02/13/2020
Read all Paradise Taveuni Fiji Dive Resort reviews
Mark as helpful 

Phantom Divers - Playa del Carmen, Mexico

5
5
5
1

While staying in Playa del Carmen, I used Phantom Divers to visit and dive in some of the local cenotes (underwater caverns). I went to their shop in town and arranged to meet at the shop the following morning. As it turned out, I was the only diver scheduled and I had a private guided tour for the regular price. In three days, we dove 6 different cenotes, including Taj Mahal, Car Wash, Chak Mool, Eden, and the 2 dives at Dos Ojos. The price included transportation, lunch, and a cave certified guide. These dives do not require cave certification because they are considered cavern dives in which you don’t lose sight of the entrance. I found the operation to be very professional and a true joy to dive with. The person at the shop also gave us his favorite places to eat. They were not the typical tourist restaurants and were very good. I recommend this shop.

Visited on 06/2022 - Submitted on 01/24/2023
Mark as helpful 

Puerto Galera

5
5
5
4

I booked a package at a dive resort in Puerto Galera and arranged for my own transportation, including transfers. I chose to use a public transit bus from Manila to Batangas and the ferry to Puerto Galera. Dive resort staff met me at the ferry dock and led me across the beach to the resort. The town of Puerto Galera has a beautiful white sand beach backed by hotels, restaurants and bars. Although I spent a great deal of time at the resort, both diving and eating, I used off time to walk into town. During the day, people are enjoying the beach and eating at the beachside restaurants. There is a bustling nightlife after the sun goes down. The bars are loud and fun.

The diving at Puerto Galera is quite diverse. We did reef diving, wreck diving, and some “muck" diving looking for critters. We also did a trip to Verde Island. All of the diving was beautiful and awe-inspiring.

Bottom line: Puerto Galera is a warm, friendly place with a welcoming population, superior diving, and top-notch food. I loved my time spent here and would return again.

Visited on 02/2016 - Submitted on 02/21/2020
Read all Puerto Galera Dive Travel reviews
Mark as helpful 

Diving in Raja Ampat

4
5
5
4

I traveled to Indonesia for an eleven-day liveaboard trip to northern Raja Ampat. After several flights and layovers, totaling about 30 hours, I arrived in Sorong, the embarkation point for the trip. Sorong is a bustling city, far larger than I expected. I was met at the airport by boat staff and was taken to the harbor for a short tender ride to the liveaboard, which was anchored nearby. After getting settled in my stateroom and preparing my gear for diving the next morning, we had dinner and turned in for the night, with high expectations for the next day.

The boat sailed at night and we woke up at our first stop. As is customary, all of the diving was done from tenders. Each day three dives were offered along with a night dive. On this boat, a complimentary neck and shoulder massage were offered after every dive. No one ever passed on this wonderful perk. The boat was moved every night to a new dive location.

As the trip progressed, we made our way west and north, until we crossed the equator and dove the Equator Islands. We dove a large variety of sites, including reefs, walls, and jetties. At several sites, the current was very strong, requiring a reef hook to stay in place and watch the show. The current attracts large schools of fish, and we were never disappointed. We saw large congregations of schooling Barracuda, Jack’s, Sweetlips, and many others. The biodiversity in this area is second to none. We also saw mantas, seahorses, cuttlefish, squid, many different species of nudibranchs, Leaf Scorpionfish, Mantis Shrimp, turtles, Napoleon Wrasse, and Bumphead Parrotfish. Shark sightings included Blacktip, Whitetip, Grey Reef, Zebra, Nurse, Wobbegong, and Epaulets. Night dives were always in shallow water at muck sites. The dive guides had an uncanny ability to locate pygmy (pontohi) seahorses and we saw quite a few. During these dives, Coconut Octopuses and Dragonettes were common. We were also able to find Blue Ringed Octopuses and Flamboyant Cuttlefish. Needless to say, I checked a large number of fish and other critters off my bucket list.

The topside views in Raja Ampat are spectacular, including lush islands populated by birds and bats, and awesome sunsets. We did an off-boat excursion at Pianemo Island, where you make an easy climb of about 250 wooden steps to reach viewing platforms, which give you a breathtaking view for miles around.

Bottom line: Raja Ampat is a wild, remote area which is largely unexplored. The biodiversity is incredible, with a large concentration of fish and corals of every variety. This is truly the Holy Grail of diving!

Visited on 09/2019 - Submitted on 03/14/2020
Read all Diving in Raja Ampat Dive Travel reviews
Mark as helpful 

Diving in the Red Sea

5
4
5
2

The Red Sea was a bucket list destination for me, and I recently checked it off. I did a 15 day trip on a liveaboard in the Southern Egyptian Red Sea. The trip began in Hurghada, where we spent one night and the following morning, before boarding the boat. We stayed in the marina area, and in the short time we were there, we found it to be a bustling city with friendly people.

The itinerary of our liveaboard took us to such places as Big Brother, Little Brother, Daedalus, Elphinstone, and farther south to Zabargad, Rocky Island, and Fury Shoal. Mid-way through the trip, we pulled into Port Ghalib (which was also our disembarkment point at the end of the trip) to refuel and to take on new provisions. Port Ghalib has a nice bazaar for shopping, restaurants, bars, and clubs all in the marina area. We saw several resorts along the coast, but some were closed because they cater to European tourists who weren't able to travel, due to COVID.
The Red Sea turned out to be a place to check some things off my critter list. At Daedalus, we encountered schooling Hammerheads, Mantas, Dolphins, and giant Napoleon Wrasse, among other things. Be prepared to dive near the limits of recreational diving and strong currents. This site is for advanced divers. Over the course of the trip we saw Oceanic Whitetips (Longimanus), Thresher Sharks, Silky Sharks, schooling Barracuda, Spotted Scorpionfish, Green Turtles, Cuttlefish, Giant Clams, Batfish, Octopuses, Bumphead Parrotfish, Giant Moray Eels, nudibranchs, and much more. Diving is conducted both from the main boat and Zodiacs. The Red Sea dive guides are experts at finding and pointing out most of the highlight animals. All of the reefs that we dove were very healthy and the coral is packed very densely.

This is a destination that has something for everybody: photography (both wide-angle and macro), shallow reefs, deep dives, wall dives, big animals, and even some great caverns and caves to explore. All of this, and the Red Sea is one of the most economical dive destinations in the world. Our 15 day liveaboard was about half the cost of a 7 day trip on some other liveaboards around the world.
Egypt and the Red Sea are everything you've always heard that they are: a world class dive destination with friendly people, and magnificent diving at rock bottom prices. Every diver should check the Red Sea off their bucket list. Highly recommended!

Visited on 09/2021 - Submitted on 02/06/2022
Read all Diving in the Red Sea Dive Travel reviews

Pages

BE THE FIRST TO GET NEWS AND SPECIALS

Sign up for the mailing list today