Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Sam's vs NecoMarine?????and..... Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Palau
howardsnewyork 18:50 UTC 22 Dec 2007 | Planning on a week in Palau next June..... 2 questions.... 1)Does anyone have an opinion on the dive operators i have listed above??? 2)What is the woman/nitelife situation like for single guys???? Thanks Howrd |
5waldos 00:47 UTC 24 Dec 2007 | Sams- Neco tends to do groups, especially from Taiwan. No idea- nightlife is not a major feature in Palau. And since I'm a woman, I really don't know. There are a few clocal clubs, but they are often reserved for house parties- a Palauan custom where you make a donation for people to buy a house, then drink and dance. I loved them, but don't know how it is for non-islanders. Lucky you- go have a sunset drink at the Palau Pacific Resort- often people there. | 1
howardsnewyork 01:00 UTC 24 Dec 2007 | Thanks....howard | 2
5waldos 01:19 UTC 24 Dec 2007 | Where are you staying? | 3
papamike 16:47 UTC 24 Dec 2007 | As a non-diver, I was hesitant to answer your question. My observation, having talked to quite a few divers, is that both have a large following and swear allegiance to one or the other. So I think you will be well taken care of by either firm. Both companies have extensive websites and I suggest you explore them both and decide which one is closer to what you are looking for. Have a great trip! Papa Mike Papa Mike's Palau Islands Handbook | 4
yazoo1972 16:16 UTC 29 Feb 2008 | Maybe I'm late in answering, but last year we dove with Sam's and I liked it : very well organized (you get a pickup and dropoff to your hotel every day) and I liked the dive guides. Don't know about Neco. There didn't seem to be much of nightlife on Palau however. A few restaurants on the big road and the hotels. The bar at Sams was good for a nice after-dive and to get to know some other people. | 5
howardsnewyork 21:57 UTC 29 Feb 2008 | Thank you all...howard | 6
pnijeff 22:44 UTC 15 Mar 2008 | Go with Sams.....ive always had great experience with them. very professional outfit, and the boats/guides are top notch. | 7
niksen11 11:33 UTC 26 Mar 2008 | I would go with Sam's Fish'n Fins used to be the big player, but they seem to have lost their edge. We had an incident with lung expansion with a handicapped guy and they tried to keep it quiet and play it down. Also i found the staff to be more occupied with impressing the ladies than being guide. I then went to Sam's which was really great. be ware that not all dive sites are worth the 100-120$ per trip/2 dives. I found the most impressive was blue corner/blue hole (YEEAAHH) and german channel. | 8