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Dive Review of Manihi Blue Nui/Pearl Beach Resort in
French Polynesia/Manihi

Manihi Blue Nui/Pearl Beach Resort, Aug, 2005,

by Michael Kamens, Ohio, usa . Report 1880.

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 4 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Manihi is a tiny attol in the same vicinity as Rangiroa. While Rangiroa has gotten big due to high energy drift dives with schools of sharks, Manihi has stayed under the radar. The diving is quite good. Crystal clear water with such and abundance of fish life at certain sites that I was speechless. Hugh schools of fish filled my visual field. "The Drop Off" is just that. A wall that dives to 4500 feet just outside the pass that is the only navigable pass into the lagoon formed by Manihi. Blue Nui is located at the Pearl Beach resort and both the resort and the dive group are the only ones on the island. They are both top notch. Small groups, fast boats and sites no more than 10 minutes from the hotel. Gear is taken care of and there is never more than 5 divers with each divemaster. Saw Mantas on several dives with a school of 4 being the most seen on any one dive. Very close encounters with these huge but gentle creatures. Nice coral formations with great fish life as well. Fair number of Grey and Black reef sharks as well. Humpback whales come through in August, but had not arrived yet. I did see and snorkel with them in Moorea earlier in my trip.
The Pearl Beach Resort is paradise. Beautiful beach and overwater Bungalows with wonderful cooling breeze left no need for A/C. They treat you like royalty from arrival to departure. Nightly fumigation keeps mosquitos under control for most part. Restaurant at hotel is literally the only one on the entire island. It is quite good, but very expensive. Took free water taxi to only store on island to buy bottled water, beer, snacks. Brought granola bars etc...in luggage and did simple breakfast and lunch so big bill at dinner a bit more acceptable. No shops to speak of outside resort so do your gift getting earlier at one of your other stops.
Motu (small uninhabited islet) picnic a real treat. Stop off in lagoon over reef to hand line fish for lunch. Great day at the islet with fresh fruit, fish, chicken etc.....Not to be missed.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving [Unspecified]
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, surge, currents
Water Temp 79-81°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 100-150 Ft/ 30-46 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Guided dives but not hand held. 45-50 mins with 3 minute safety stop. Max depth usually 80-100 with no need to go deeper.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

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

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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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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