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Thanks! Will contact you off-thread.

I'll be staying in southern Phang Nga province, just over the Sarasin Bridge from Phuket. It's about 30 minutes north of the Phuket airport. It looks on a map like we are midway between the heart of Phuket (where most dive centers are) and Khao Lak, but not sure if they are equal drive times...

I think it's REALLY important when quoting something like this (and even more so when acting on it) to be very detail oriented in your facts. Otherwise, bad information can be spread. I mention this because I am unaware of any contraindication for Allegra (fexofenadine) specifically with...

A few thoughts on the subject. While typical diver training often warns against the use of decongestants (and sometimes antihistamines), most trained sources I've consulted agree that if you take these meds regularly, it's a mistake to discontinue suddenly them before diving. Obviously, you...

Great summary. Just went to Qamea, and I think you're exactly right, based on what I saw of local diving, Somosomo, etc.

Another thing you might want to check, if you're going right now, is which places offer air conditioning. Although most of the year it doesn't matter, as the winds are cooling and the temps pleasant, there is the chance of some hotter/more humid weather right now since it's summer there, and...

I was just diving in the Taveuni area this past week and weekend, and water temps were around 80-81F. I was in Beqa Lagoon at the end of December and it was about 77-79F there. Hope that helps.

I'd strongly suggest somewhere in the north (e.g. Taveuni, Qamea, etc.), as the cyclone missed them totally. I was in Beqa right after the cyclone, and the visibility was pretty poor (and the visibility is usually better in the north even without cyclone effects). In general, the northern...

In a previous thread, I believe Fiji Dive Guy and others summarized which places in Fiji have Nitrox. I just returned from Qamea, and they definitely offer Nitrox 32, but many resorts in Fiji do not. For example, Beqa Lagoon resort did not offer it at all even though they are a dive-intensive...

I would definitely suggest picking up the course book in advance if you can. You can start reading and taking in a lot of the academic stuff in advance, and you may well be glad you did. As for the fins, snorkel and mask, unless you're going to use them now, you may as well wait. By the time...

Inherently, I think many people totally agree with you. I do, too, in principle. However, in practice, for a less experienced diver (or computer user), it isn't that simple. New divers have a lot they are thinking about every time they get in the water, and while they can make the quick...

Since no one had really addressed these last questions while we all focused a lot on the subject of conservatism, I thought I'd start up the discussion of the other factors manni-yunk had asked about. I'd guess that the OP is more in need of a basic dive computer primer than a detailed...

It seems like the OP may have gotten quite a few complex answers to a fairly simple original question. While there is tons of good, factual info in the replies above, here is a simpler assessment. There is some disagreement about the relative conservatism of various brands, but almost all...

Does anyone have any opinion on the relative merits of diving in Savusavu (including Namena Reserve, etc.) versus diving off Taveuni (Great White Wall, etc.)? Is one much better than the other? Does one have more of a particular thing? (e.g. pelagics, macro, drift dives, etc.) Thanks!

Both are good suits, but they are very different: The Insta Dry really does do what it says it will (dry fast), and is very warm. But it can be (very) tough to get into. I've also heard reports of seam issues, which is probably what the durability thing you mentioned is. So the pros of...

Oh, I misunderstood. Many thanks again!

Thanks so much for the heads-up on that! I've talked to several resorts on Savusavu and they all have dismissed my concerns, saying that if we're connecting from abroad (US or Australia) that we are allowed to have 2 bags at 23 kg. Disturbed to hear that you had to talk them into allowing you...

Thanks very much, Fiji Dive Guy! Do you know if Koro Sun does? And how is their dive operation in general?

When leaving goods/gifts, where do you leave them so that everyone gets a shot at them? Is there a place at most resorts, and if you leave the stuff in the rooms, will other staff get some of it? Thanks to all for your help/insights. BTW, great trip report to the OP.

Just wanted to see if anyone had stayed at and/or dived with Namale resort in Savusavu area? Their on-site operation is listed as a PADI 5-star now, and they seem to be trying to offer a strong dive program, but I haven't heard anyone discuss them at all. Any info is appreciated!