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Dive Review of Octopus Diving in
St. Maarten/Grand Case, St. Martin, France

Octopus Diving, Nov, 2012,

by Georg A Gottschalk, CA, US (Reviewer Reviewer 4 reports). Report 6828.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food N/A
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Excellent dive operation, highly professional, highly experienced.

Chris runs a tight ship, and Sally a tight shop. You're in good hands whether you're just getting Open Water certified (they did a great job with my girlfriend) or if you're an experienced tec diver (Chris will still be able to show you a few tricks I'm sure). Their DM's/Instructors were also professional and experienced.

Some of the diving was absolutely phenomenal. Not as many tropical fish as I've seen in dive sites like Sipadan, but a heck of a lot more than in the B.V.I for instance. Chances of Nurse Sharks, certainty of big barracudas, a few turtles, and a lot in between. One dive in particular was spectacular: A wreck dive on the south side of the island, total blue water dive, infinite viz, lots of schooling fish.

What's special about Octopus Diving isn't just the sheer experience Sally and Chris bring to the venture, it's that they also research, identify and build their own dive sites, including installing their own mooring. You'll rarely ever see another dive boat come even close.

They're also able to tailor their schedule to your needs and experience. They never crowd the dive, and are strict in limiting the group to six divers per DM.
Websites Octopus Diving   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Hawaii, U.A.E., Baja & Northern California, Lake Tahoe, Sipadan, Phuket, Grand Cayman, British Virgin Islands, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Cenotes.
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 79-81°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 30-100 Ft/ 9-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Time limits, dives were usually 45-50 min.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

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