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| Image by www.aggressor.com |
Diving the wild Tuamotus aboard the Tahiti Aggressor
The old airborne ditty goes, "Stand up, hook up, shuffle to the door." In Tahiti they give you reef hooks instead of parachutes, and the song would go, "Dive down, hook up, enjoy the show." With the clear water streaming over the lip of the reef at 3 knots, you are tethered among scores of sharks, barracuda, jacks and other animals, perfectly positioned to watch the age-old drama of big fish/little fish. Welcome to the wild world of live-aboard diving.
The Tahiti Aggressor cruises the Tuamotus atolls between Rangiroa and Fakarava, alternating the direction each week to cover maximum territory. Drift diving is the name of the game here, so there are no night dives. That's a small trade-off for the excitement of zooming along the reefs in the company of mantas, dolphins, sharks and literally tons of fish.
The Tahiti Aggressor's unique dive "skiff" takes the convenience of live-aboard diving to a new level. This custom-built boat, which is carried aboard, is capable of holding all 18 divers and their gear — with plenty of room to store things and move around. At dive time you just climb aboard and the boat is lowered into the water by a hydraulic lift — your rig is already aboard and filled with your preferred gas. No awkward climbing or loading. The boat comes to you at the end of the dive, eliminating long swims or navigation problems.
The rest of the Tahiti Aggressor is also made for comfort. The luxurious staterooms are on the main level with the dive deck. Up one level is the spacious salon, complete with VCR/DVD players and other entertainment equipment. The dining area, indoor/outdoor 24-hour bar and hot tub are also located here. The third level is the "moon deck," a partially covered lounging area with tables and chairs, chaise lounges and hammocks in your choice of sun or shade. As the name suggests, it's also the perfect spot for stargazers to take in the Polynesian night sky.
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