Testimonials
Good morning, just a short note to let you know that our trip was great fun and well planned by you. We were thrilled with Top Dive at all locations and strongly recommend this organization for future bookings - especially at Rangiroa where there is a choice but Top Dive was much superior to 6 Passengers. KiaOra exceeded our expectations once again. We moved into a Villa during our stay there as the air conditioning in the beach bungalows was poor but this was made easy by the friendly staff. So thanks for the accurate planning - we will give your name to anyone planning a holiday to French Polynesia.
GeorgeBloomington, IL
Hi Laurel,
Just a quick email to say that our trip to Moorea went really well. We had such a lovely time and the diving was great. We hadn’t had the opportunity to dive with sharks before so that was a first. In the final two days of diving, we also got to stroke a turtle, pat a stingray’s tummy, listen to humpback whales talking to each other and then have one come up for air right in front of the boat once we got back on board.
The accommodation was lovely and we had been placed in 3 fares that adjoined each other which was great when getting together for breakfast, lunch and pre-dinner drinks. Having a fridge in each room was appreciated to store the breakfast and lunch ingrediants.
Thanks again. We are now all back at work and already thinking of destinations for our next trip.
Fiona Palmerston, New Zealand
Hi Laurel,
Ruth and I have now returned to Seattle after the most incredible vacation that we could imagine. Everything exceeded our expectations. You did a truly masterful job of mixing islands and accommodations for us - there was something to enjoy about every place that we visited, not least of which were the scenery, food, and activities. And of course the snorkelling and scuba diving were our of this world. I'm now working hard to identify the dozens of fish species that I was able to photograph (and we're already thinking about our next escape to a tropical destination).
We were especially impressed with how smoothly everything went -- all the airport transfers and inter-island flights went off without a hitch. Thanks again for all your help. And we were pleasantly surprised that Air Tahiti didn't mention the extra weight in our baggage (several kilos above the scuba limit).
Thanks again for the most wonderful possible honeymoon!
Don & RuthSeattle, WA
Thank you for arranging the trip, Laurel. Tahiti was wonderful…..the water, land, people, hotels, transportation….everything.
We will definitely be going back to Rangiroa for some more awesome scuba diving.
I’ll be in touch for another trip,
Connie Sue Green Cove Springs, FL
Hi Laurel
Eventually home able to function normally again.
Just a quick note to say many, many thanks for organizing definitely the best holiday we have ever had!! Everything went to plan down to the smallest detail - all transfers there and waiting, the hotels you recommended were superb and the diving, absolutely awesome! The staff in both hotels and dive operations were possibly the friendliest we have ever met. I also love my tattoo - even though i was a major baby having it done - and Jeff even managed to get one as well, so thanks to James as well. Seriously, I hope that this was just my first visit to French polynesia as we desperately wiish to return as soon as possible. Obviously we will be booking with you.
looking forward to our return
Mauruuru and merci beaucoup
Sonja Jeff and DeniseSwansea, South Wales Great Britain
Laurel
It was an unexpected pleasure meeting you (face to face!). I would like to take this opportunity to first thank you for setting up what we feel is the best vacation we have had over the past 35 years of traveling. Everything was either great or awesome (you can quote us if you like) from the perfect flights to our hotels and restaurant suggestions. Both Rangiora and Moorea surpassed what we hoped for.
The Hotel Kia Ora, its staff, food and ambiance rivaled the best French chateaus we have been to. The diving with Six Passengers was by far possibly the best dive organization we have ever dived with. Once they checked out our expertise we were able to push the limits. We have never seen so many sharks and the dolphin encounters were amazing.
Moorea was delightful. We loved the hotel, smiling staff members and our room. Each and every restaurant we went to especially for my birthday could have easily fitted in the Manhattan food scene.
We are seriously planning to come back next July. Definitely to Rangiora (at least 8 days with Six Passengers) and then Fakarava at from what we gather their only top hotel. We of course would want to dive with a dive shop that caters to more experienced divers.
Chuck & JulieNew York, NY
Hi Laurel,
Christy and I just were on your site and immediately longed for another trip back. We had a terrific time at the Bora Bora Pearl Beach. You were spot on. The service was terrific and the premium overwater bungalow met every expectation.
We managed to dive 4 of the 6 days in Bora Bora and Giles and his staff at Blue Nui were terrific. After Tahiti, we went to Australia to dive the Barrier Reef and then Thailand and stayed on a liveaboard for 3 days in the Similan Islands. Truly some world class diving. Our favorite diving, however, was in Bora Bora. The visibility was better, we saw bigger and a wider variety of fish than in Australia. Everything was just as we hoped.
We'd love to come back and perhaps dive Moorea or do a liveaboard. When we do, we'll be sure to work through you.
All our best from Los Angeles,
Shawn and ChristyLos Angeles, CA USA
Well Hi Laurel,
I do not think I can put into words how great it was. We LOVED Moorea and the dive team there. Frank and Raphael were awesome!!! Diving in Bora Bora was wonderful. We saw Manta rays and Napolean Wrasse, both of which were on my list. We enjoyed the beautiful island and the gorgeous lagoon. Bungalow 48 was a long walk from the front desk and we loved it. And then there was Taha'a. WOW!!! Every minute was a postcard. Stephan at the dive shop was great but I am afraid the above water sights and the GORGEOUS accomodations had us enjoying a surface interval. I finally found a place where I liked the surface better than the fish. You delivered a vacation that not just exceeded my expectations but blew them away. We already say that if we ever come into some cash this is the trip we will repeat.
Thank you for your listening skills and patience as we made this big commitment. We will have life long memories. I will reccomend to others that they give you a call
Thanks again,
Lynda and DwightCollingswood, NJ USA
Hey Laurel,
I just wanted to drop you a quick note to thank you SO MUCH for setting up such a fantastic trip. We had a WONDERFUL time and can barely stand having to come back to reality. The diving on both islands was fantastic as were the dive crew in both places. Your recommendation to do the training on Moorea was definitely a good one - the team there did a great job and, as a result, I feel I've learned the important stuff and by the end felt very comfortable in the water (still slightly nervous but thats just cuz I need to dive more)... And hitting both islands was great too.. resorts in both spots were great and it was interesting seeing Manihi and how much more secluded it was than Moorea.. It did rain a lot while were on Manihi but that actually wasn't a horrible thing - just meant we did an extra dive and got some forced relax time (which was one of my goals of the trip anyway)... The weather on Moorea was ideal! 🙂
Anyway - just wanted to drop you a quick note to thank you for all your help. You'll undoubtedly hear from us again as I would LOVE to go back and, with any luck, you'll hear from our friends too! 😉
Thanks,
PeteSan Francisco, CA USA
As a group leader traveling with 12 clients, you need to know that each and every one of them will be well taken care of. I can not say enough about Dive Tahiti Blue. After meeting them at a trade show, I knew we would be in good hands. We booked our first trip and the response was thorough and precise.
With last minute changes and a lot of specific questions - they were there start to finish. Never did I wait longer than a couple of hours for a response, and the answers were cheerful, professional and enthusiastic! I could not wait for my trip, and it all went smoothly. Thanks for a great group trip and we look forward to bringing the next group soon.
Jane SteinbrecherTravel Manager, Weaver's Dive and Travel Center Boulder, CO USA
We just arrived home last night, and though I am a bit "up in the clouds" still, I wanted to thank you. We had a spectacular time!
When I was telling my mom about the trip, I was relating how well all your transfers and flights were coordinated. There was not a moment of "where do we go and what do we do now?"
So thanks once again for making life so easy for us.
JillSanta Rosa, CA, USA
Laurence and I placed our vacation in Laurel's capable hands after exchanging several emails. It was trust well placed --- our scuba dives were booked with incredible dive shops, and our all-day (boat) tour was the highlight of the trip. Thanks to Laurel, we not only relaxed, but we felt like we saw some of the "real" Polynesia that typical tourists never see.
CarlaCharlotte, NC, USA
We just got back and I want to thank you again for arranging the diving for us in Tahiti. Every one of the diving operators was just first-rate and they were particularly wonderful with the kids. This was truly an outstanding diving experience for all of us!
LathamSun Valley, ID, USA
Thank you so much!!!! The trip was fantastic! I really enjoyed diving with Rafa and the bungalow was lovely. The diving was amazing and the coral is quite healthy. We saw so many sharks, three turtles, octopus, and even a humpback whale! Yep, it doesn't get much better than this. I am certain I will be returning and I will make sure to contact you when I do. Thanks again, Laurel, for making this trip a slice of heaven.
LoriCaracas, Venezuela
I have nothing but fantastic things to say about Laurel Samuela and Dive Tahiti Blue. She was also so much more helpful than all of the others agents I spoke to put together. Rather than just asking where I wanted to go, and which hotels, then giving me a price like some other travel agents, Laurel provides a personal touch, and has a host of excellent recommendations for everything from islands to hotels to restaurants. She really excels in getting a feel for the kind of vacation that you want, and then works with you to mould the perfect trip. She really does take an interest in you, and makes it her goal to make sure you love the islands as much as she does.
When I first made contact with Dive Tahiti Blue, I had three islands in mind, and ideas for hotels based on the minimal help I'd received from other travel agents. By the time I'd finished with Laurel, I had changed one of the islands and all of the hotels. I checked out my original plans while I was there, and was soooo pleased that I had found a travel agent who knew what they were talking about - the new choices were so much better.
I think the fact that Laurel lives on Moorea and has had extensive and intimate contact with all the islands and hotels in French Polynesia makes her service invaluable - you can't beat local knowledge to make your dream vacation even more perfect!
We are already putting money aside to return to French Polynesia, and I know with 100% certainty that I will be booking it through Dive Tahiti Blue, and Laurel Samuela.
AndrewWashington D.C., USA
My husband and I had the opportunity to travel to French Polynesia. We contacted Dive Tahiti Blue. The local knowledge Laurel & James had to offer was invaluable. We traveled for 3 weeks to several atolls that we had never heard of. Their local knowledge of each atoll in finding the best accommodations, beaches, dive and snorkeling locations to suit our needs made our trip far exceed our highest expectations. Their expertise in all aspects of our travels let us walk away with an experience of true Polynesia very few people get to enjoy. We can't wait to return to explore other atolls, of course with the expertise of Dive Tahiti Blue!
SusanTahoe City, CA, USA