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I can't locate that. You had better post which cameras are "normal looking" because broadcast quality is fast becoming a consumer reality.
Originally Posted by imaswfan
Please read the review so you are not surprised!
I would be more ready to say "Aww gee, what a bummer", but....
Anyone who cyber-squats on an obvious website address ripoff that was created to divert legit search engine traffic from the dive shop that cranked you off... you have earned my hairy eyeball. Your rant is posted on your website that you paid for at www,coibascuba,com versus their existing legit site of scubacoiba.com
That aside, yes, you probably got squeezed by some local uniformed goofs. Welcome to extreme adventure travel. I aint sayin' it's right, I'm just letting you know that you're not in Oklahoma anymore. Get used to machine guns. That's where you'll find the better diving.
I say this also, because it is obvious in the selected pics posted on your website that you tried to paint the worst possible image of this dive op. Nice images. For me? They made me want to go. Any place that doesn't have a posted menu of OW dives or a paved floor is attractive. Your clever caption about bananas was indicative.
I have been to dozens of dive ops that looked like this, and many which were even more tribal. When you decide to play with the big kids, this is what you may find that suffices locally as a dive op. I didn't see any cattle, which means that you'll probably not be served dinner there, either. I like the place that had a few goats penned up. Yummy.
Again- I am not saying it was right. But welcome to the big leagues.
Last edited by Doc; September 24th, 2008 at 05:44 PM.
Currently indulging in the underwater delights of the Philippines
Join Date
Nov 2007
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Homeless
Posts
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Ashamed yet?
WOW! I just googled "Coiba Scubabaord" and this is what came up, how sad.
I think taking a great web address like that & posting this - is about the most despicable thing I've ever seen in the diving world. What is your problem dude? I understand you had a bad trip, that's all well and good, post away, but taking a valuable name like that so you can slander the place?
If you don't like rustic traveling, don't travel to rustic places - how much thought does it that to figure that out? You got hassled by "the man" wow - that's an amazingly unique experience... only happens in Coiba.
I'm really disappointed to see this. I've only dove the Caribbean side of Panama, and I've never seen Coiba, but it looks awesome and I'm stoked to check it out. Reading your slander, I'm not concerned about the accommodations, dive ops, or dive sites... I'm only concerned I might have a dive buddy that's like you!!!
Delete your site man, get a life, and move on. It's not easy to hack it in a place like that as it is. Your criticism isn't constructive, it's malicious, and you should be ashamed. It's sad that you'll be taken seriously and might divert someone from a great trip. Dive somewhere I don't!
Well said. Coiba diving is awesome. Yes, it is rustic. But Scuba Coiba is professional, the diving is loaded with fish and inverts and rock formations, and Santa Catalina is a nice little town.
After many years of avoiding this site, I was finally sucked in by someone who pointed me to this yahoo's post. First things first...consider the source. This guy has barely done any diving, has only been to dive locales which don't require a (US) passport and is an obvious badge collector (your dive shop loves you, brutha).
Having said that, I dove with Herbie in 2005 and had an entirely different experience. I found him and his staff to be very professional (and I am no pushover), was able to shoot with my professional rig (still; I am a semi-pro photog) and even had a nice chat with the rangers who peppered me with questions about it (the camera). Oh yeah, the diving was superb. So much so that I've spent the past four years planning a liveaboard trip to explore the parts that I wasn't able to get to. We shove off in late April!
I have no idea what transpired between imaswfan and the rangers, but like most soldiers/police/rangers in foreign countries, they don't like gringo dicks who profess a sense of entitlement (which this guy so obviously does). Basically, RoatanMan has already said what needs to be said (about this guy and some other finer points about how best to enjoy our fine hobby). I will just add that it's probably a good idea to learn some Spanish, get some manners and embrace the oh-so-true axiom..."you get more with honey than vinegar."
Go to Panama....it's a kickass country with lots to offer..on land AND underwater! If anyone wants to see some shots I took or has any questions about Coiba diving, just PM me.
Anyone interested in diving Coiba (as well as Cocos and Malpelo) you might want to check out this liveaboard. I haven't heard anything about them yet, but the photos and locations look awesome.
oooh...pricey! should anyone go on this boat, please do report back to this thread. we're going on the Inula in April. you'll have to google it since the cops on this site won't let me post their URL.
Yemaya does live-a-board trips as combinations Coiba/Cocos and Coiba/Malpelo. The operation is managed by Kevan Mantell who is a highly respected dive professional and knows the diving in this area for many years. Yemaya just started their operation, but Kevan has years of live-a-board experience in the area. He worked as divemaster at Coiba Explorer in the 90Ž´s, co owned Twin Oceans in Portobello and worked for Albatross Media as diving coordinator mainly within the "Marine corridor of the Tropical Eastern Pacific" what includes Coiba (PA), Cocos (CR), Galapagos (EC), Malpelo and Gorgona (CO).
We - Scuba Coiba - are a land based operator working out of Santa Catalina since 2003, offering day trips to Coiba and also multi day trips staying at the ranger station at Coiba for several days.
I was told that Kevan Mantell has left "Yemaya" and has nothing to do with their operation anymore. As I do not know the other dive professionals involved in this operation nor heard any comments about their operation so far, I do not know how their trips are.
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Originally Posted by scubacoiba
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