Main Menu
Join Undercurrent on Facebook

The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975 | |
For Divers since 1975
The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975
"Best of the Web: scuba tips no other
source dares to publish" -- Forbes
X
 

Dive Review of MV Taka in
Solomon Islands

MV Taka: "Good diving but other locales are better for wrecks", Nov, 2018,

by Stephen D Pahl, CA, US (Reviewer Reviewer 4 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 10656 has 2 Helpful votes.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 3 stars
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 3 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 1 stars
Comments Did the WWII week on the Taka. Since I wanted to do the signature dives for the Solomans, I went early and dove with Dive Tulagi for three days - wonderful experience and a great operator - a tad limited on shop capacity, but great with experienced divers. We then did a week on the Taka, The Boat is fine and the crew was very accomodating and experienced. They however dove from tenders even when diving from the back deck was both feasible and easier. The diving staff was exceptionally uncomfortable about wreck diving and diver safety; if you mentioned that you might exceed 132', there were general alarms sounded. Also, while the wrecks are present in Iron Bottom Sound, only the deeper wrecks are particularly interesting. The shallow wrecks have either been salvaged or stripped by the locals. A far cry from Chuuk, which I believe has far better wreck diving. Have been told the longer trips, which get farther west are actually better for wrecks that around Guadalcanal. Finally, strive to move from the Honiara airport to the dock asap, as that town is nowehere you really want to explore.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Throughout the Indio-Pacific Islands and Atolls, mostly related to wrecks as well as Cocos, Caribbean, Belize and other locals
Closest Airport Honiara Getting There Through Brisbane, or through Fiji

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, cloudy, dry Seas calm, currents
Water Temp 83-86°F / 28-30°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 75-100 Ft/ 23-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Absolutely no descending below 132 ft - even if the wreck was at 140.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 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]
Was this report helpful to you?
Report currently has 2 Helpful votes
Leave a comment (Subscribers only -- 200 words max)
Subscribers can comment here
 

Subscribe Now
Subscribers can post comments, ask the reviewer questions, as well as getting immediate and complete access to ALL 118 dive reviews of Solomon Islands and all other dive destinations. Complete access to all issues and Chapbooks is also included.

 
Featured Links from Our Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Bilikiki Cruises
Bilikiki Cruises
Bilikiki Cruises is a long running, well regarded operator running superb live-aboard diving in the remote and beautiful Solomon Islands.
Reef & Rainforest, Let our experience be your guide -- Reef and Rainforest
Reef & Rainforest
is an agency for travelers that scuba dive. Consider us THE experts for planning your diving vacation to Solomon Islands.

Want to assemble your own collection of Solomon Islands reports in one place?
Use the Mini Chapbook Facility to create your personalized collection.

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.

Undercurrent Home


Get more dive info like these and other important scuba updates sent monthly to your email.
And a FREE Recent Issue of Undercurrent

Free Undercurrent Issue
Get a free
monthly email and
a sample issue!


Find in  

| Home | Online Members Area | My Account | Login | Join |
| Travel Index | Dive Resort & Liveaboard Reviews | Featured Reports | Recent Issues | Back Issues |
| Dive Gear Index | Health/Safety Index | Environment & Misc. Index | Seasonal Planner | Blogs | Free Articles | Book Picks | News |
| Special Offers | RSS | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us | Links |

Copyright © 1996-2024 Undercurrent (www.undercurrent.org)
3020 Bridgeway, Ste 102, Sausalito, Ca 94965
All rights reserved.

Page computed and displayed in 0.13 seconds