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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]
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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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