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Dive Review of Nai'a in
Tonga/Ha'apai

Nai'a, Aug, 2005,

by John Sommerer, MD, United States . Report 1911.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments Nai'a quality and service up to usual very high standards. Best crew on any liveaboard we've ever been on. Kava party is tops! "New" cruise directors Josh & Liz very pleasant, went the extra mile helping with lost luggage situation, and produced a fantastic trip video.

Whales not as plentiful as previous trip in 2003, and encounters more limited (then again, we had some that lasted 4 hours that trip). Some bad weather may explain this, but I can't help thinking that something bad is happening ("covert" whaling to the south?).

Diving was pretty good, especially at night. A few "destination quality" dive sites (Ladd's Reef and Table for 200), and really healthy hard corals. Dive sites depend on where you've been looking for whales on the Tonga trips, so don't come here unless you're focused on the whales.

Situation in Tonga is deteriorating. We were there during an extended strike of Government employees, and there is open disapproval of the royal family. Check on current political situation and state of infrastructure before going to Tonga.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Caribbean, Costa Rica, Galapagos, Indonesia, Mexico, Micronesia, New Zealand, PNG
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 73-0°F / 23--18°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions [Unspecified]
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Great camera room, rinse tanks, handling and assistance from crew.
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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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