Dive Review of Uepi Resort in
Solomon Islands/Western Providence

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Uepi Resort, Apr, 2008, by Kent Roorda, CO, USA ( Reviewer 4 reports). Report 4005.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	We went to Uepi Resort for a few days after have been on the liveaboard Bilikiki for a couple of weeks. Getting to Uepi Resort requires a one hour flight from Honaira, and a one+ hour boat right from the grass strip airport to the resort. The trip on the water is generally very smooth as it is within the protected lagoon. Uepi Resort, in my opinion, is a nice place to go to rest and relax. It is often sold as a diving destination, but it's diving leaves a lot to be desired. Reefs and fish life are only so-so. The dive guides do not help you set up or care for your gear. There's hardly a place on the dive boats for a bottle of defog, so one should be forewarned if they are taking camera gear that they are concerned about. There are a lot of begging sharks off the pier at Uepi. It's a great opportunity to literally swim with Black Tips and Reef Sharks. Even little kids were swimming and snorkeling with the sharks. The private cottages are spread out on a small penisula and give the guests nice privacy. There is no hot water, but it's really no big deal since the outside temp is normally in the high 80's - which gives you a semi-warm shower. Rooms are not air-conditioned, but have fans. Nevertheless, if it's hot and muggy,(which is nearly always is!) you'll be hot and muggy as well. The owners/operators, Grant and Jill, are very nice and hospitable. Meals were 'okay' but there were many times when there was not enough food for everyone. For instance, salad for 24 guests was served on a standard dinner plate. Meals were also often late, thus forcing guests to wait as late as 9pm for dinner. Uepi is quite popular with some Australians, but, I couldn't imagine traveling all the way there from North America when there are much better operations and resorts within the North American region and Carribbean. As for diving conditions in the Solomon's, it appears to be on quite a quick decline. Overfishing and lack of concern for the reefs is very evident. While on the Bilikiki liveaboard, as well as while we were at Uepi, there was fishing line draped all over the reefs nearly everywhere we went....very evident and obvious that the people were fishing right on the best of the reefs.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	Carribbean, Bahamas, Central America, Mexico, Fiji, Indonesia, Many Islands in South Pacific
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	windy	Seas	calm
Water Temp	82-85°F / 28-29°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	25-50 Ft/ 8-15 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	A dive master generally goes in the water with you, but rarely enforces any rules - since they generally chew Beetle Nut before dives.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	1 or 2
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
UW Photo Comments	There is no room, or tables in the dive shop to set up camera gear. It must be done in your room; previous to going diving.

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Dive Review of Uepi Resort in Solomon Islands/Western Providence

Uepi Resort, Apr, 2008,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Dive Review of Uepi Resort in
Solomon Islands/Western Providence