TAHITI AGGRESSOR

You can have it all on the Tahiti Aggressor. The combination of the underwater world with the Polynesian culture; these South Pacific Islands are what you dream of. Dramatic lush, green volcanoes pierce the azure blue sky out of an aqua lagoon that sparkles under the tropical sun. Gauguin got it right with his bold contrasting color. The backdrop to the Tahiti Aggressor anchorages are tiny villages surrounded by an abundance of trees and foliage growing on sheer drop volcanoes and the cascading waterfalls that go down hundreds of feet. It makes you feel you are back to nature and you can breathe in and relax the stress away. Combine that with the superior service and friendly dive crew whose mission it is to make it your best vacation ever, and your vacation starts out to be what you’ve dreamed of.

The Tahiti Aggressor is a 104 ft. live-aboard catamaran able to host up to 18 guests in luxurious comfortable, above water cabins. The 30 ft. beam means there is spacious living accommodation including a main salon with CD, DVD, libraries together with a well stocked, wet bar and computer email capabilities. The three decks incorporate a sun deck for topping up the tan and relaxing between the 4 dives a day on the loungers or hammocks; a spa deck for a social warm up or drink at the end of the day and the dive deck for everything diving related – showers, rinsing, cameras, briefings and departing/returning on the skiff (transfer dive boat) to and from the dive sites.

The Tahiti Aggressor is based out of Raiatea. The weekly itinerary takes you to the best diving in The Society Islands; from Raiatea, Huahine, Tupai to Bora Bora. We offer 4 dives per day (weather permitting) and 3 night dives per week. We travel between the islands at night so you can wake up to a stunning South Pacific sunrise – unless of course it’s Humpback Whale season and we cross very early in the morning to catch the possibility of the Whales breaching as they migrate through the islands.

The diving in the Society Islands is relaxed with beautiful wall dives sloping down the extinct volcanoes. Outside the lagoons the visibility is much clearer and opens out onto some beautiful hard coral wall reefs. Most of the aquatic life is between depths of 50 ft. (15m) to 110 ft. (33m) and includes Lemon Sharks, Black Tip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, Turtles, Eagle Rays, Lionfish, Humphead (Napoleon) Wrasse, Giant Morays, Yellow Mouth Moray, Anemones, Octopus, Nudibranchs and a whole plethora of Reef Fish that bring color to the reef. Diving in The Society Islands is for everyone; from beginner to advanced.

Raiatea highlights include “Teavapiti Wall” and “Miri Miri” both on different sides of the island. The Anemones here make cameras a worthwhile baggage excess as do the Black Tip Reef sharks at around 50ft (15m).

Huahine’s “Avapehi Wall” is beaten only by “Horseshoe” which is a big swathe of white sand around big coral heads that are brimming with all the hidden Octopus, Morays, Shrimp, Scorpion fish and Nudibranchs.

Tupai is accessible during very calm weather due to its exposed location and the fact it’s an Atoll (no volcano just a reef around a lagoon). It has exciting dramatic wall diving that makes the crossing well worth it.

Bora Bora attracts the larger fish, pelagics, the famous Lemon Sharks at “Tapu”, “Tapuna” and “Upat” as well as an abundance of reef fish. “Muri Muri” is our favorite site as it has everything all at one site – Black Tips, Grey Reef, Turtles, Morays as well as stunning hard corals which are so colorful set against a white sand valley. It’s not called “La Vallee Blanche” for nothing!

All of this in the Blue of the South Pacific Ocean. The weekly itinerary incorporates 22 – 25 dives within the Society Islands starting and ending at Raiatea. You’ll experience an exciting evening of Polynesian Culture and Dance on a private Motu only accessible by boat. On Friday afternoon there is a visit to a unique Pearl Farm where you can snorkel to see and learn about the pearls being harvested and follow the process from harvest to extraction, polishing and presentation. It is a fascinating experience.

SATURDAY: Raiatea – boarding 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

SATURDAY: 7:00-8:00 a.m. Checkout

ARRIVAL & BOARDING
Most people arrive in Papeete Friday and overnight.

On Saturday, making your way to Raiatea is a short 45 minute flight on Air Tahiti from Papeete to Raiatea. Almost all the 6-8 flights per day are nonstop with the exception of a few which stop over in Moorea or Bora Bora. These flights add 30 minutes to your trip. The boarding time is 3:00 p.m. All flights that arrive from 12:00 p.m. on will be met at the Raiatea airport by an Aggressor Representative who will take you to the Tahiti

Aggressor which is docked five (5) minutes away at the Cruise Ship dock. If you are already in Raiatea, please make your way to the Tahiti Aggressor anytime after 3:00 p.m. Saturday. All guests should be onboard no later than 6:00 p.m. so the boat can depart for the first night

anchorage. Diving will start Sunday morning.

MEALS

The menu on board is varied and plentiful with American feasts, barbecues and local Polynesian cuisine. Breakfasts feature fresh fruit, hot entrees, cereal, and juice. Lunches will be buffet style featuring hot soup, salad and sandwiches and/or entrees. Dinners are diverse including seafood, beef and chicken. Each evening, enjoy fresh homemade desserts. Please notify our office of special dietary requests as well as speak to the ships Chef after boarding.

BEVERAGES

Soft drinks, ice tea, local beer, and wine are complimentary. Due to the high duty imposed on liquor, we suggest picking up your special brand from the Duty-Free shop in the airport. Drinking and diving don’t mix. Alcohol consumption during diving hours is prohibited. Once you drink alcohol, you become a snorkeler until the next day.

DIVING

The crew of the Tahiti Aggressor, with their unique combination of talents, offer the ultimate in service.

While on board, you may pick a dive buddy of your choice or dive with one of the crew members.

Ample storage is provided for your diving equipment in a personal locker. The Tahiti Aggressor uses 80 cubic foot tanks and has a limited number of 60 cubic foot tanks. Weights and weight belts are provided.

Each diver has his/her own tank rack, locker and spacious seating area. Dives are made utilizing the custom, 18-passenger dive skiff for these short runs and guests will be in close proximity to Tahiti’s finest diving. The boarding ladder is designed for convenience to allow easy entry to the skiff after your dive. A 15-foot Naiad Scout rigid inflatable may be used as a back-up skiff if required. The Tahiti Aggressor recommends divers use Dive Alerts and Safety Sausages.

We suggest you pack the following: mask, fins, snorkel, regulator with pressure gauge, depth gauge, dive computer, buoyancy compensator, spare mask, dive watch, and dive light. Safety sausages and Dive Alerts are provided on board, but feel free to bring your own. We encourage computer diving. Dive lights are not available for rent; however, they are for sale on board. Each piece of dive equipment should be marked with waterproof paint or tape for easy identification. A 1mm “skin” or 1/8 inch (3mm) wet suit is recommended.

We do not permit spear fishing, Hawaiian slings or shell collecting on any Aggressor vessel.

RENTAL DIVE EQUIPMENT

A full line of rental dive gear, including regulators, BCs, and dive computers are available on board.

The Tahiti Aggressor is equipped with state of the art digital photo/video equipment. We urge everyone to check availability of equipment prior to traveling.

Our Video Professional can capture your diving adventure to share with family and friends. Video of the week/DVD (includes all guests and crew). Group DVD US$65.00 (price subject to change)

There is a mini-boutique on board with assorted t-shirts, shorts, batteries, and miscellaneous items.

Due to limited availability, we recommend bringing extra batteries, film and/or CD’s for photos.

The Tahiti Aggressor accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and Traveler’s Checks.

Personal checks are not accepted

TAHITI DIVING CONDITIONS
You’ll be diving in water that averages 80-82°F. Most guests make up to 5 dives a day, so some sort of protection is needed. A 1/8” (3mm) wetsuit should be comfortable and adequate. The Tahiti Aggressor recommends divers bring safety items such as Dive Alerts, Safety Sausages etc. Before the first dive, a safety sausage, and/or Dive Alert will be issued to each diver for use throughout the week free of charge. Dives are made from the high-speed skiff, which accommodates all 18 guests.

FRIDAY
Friday afternoon, the Tahiti Aggressor returns to port to provision and fuel for the following week. This is a great opportunity to visit a Pearl Farm, stroll around Raiatea, shop and sightsee. Dinner is not served onboard this evening. This is the only meal not provided with the cruise. The crew can recommend a restaurant and arrange transportation to a local restaurant of your choice.

TIPS ONBOARD
Gratuities are voluntary and based upon the quality of service the crew has provided. When settling your account on the final day of the trip, the Captain will have an envelope for gratuities that will be divided equally among the crew.

CHECKOUT
Checkout time is between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning. We recommend selecting a 9:00 a.m. departure flight unless you are extending your stay on island. The crew will transport to your hotel if you are planning to extend your vacation. International flights to Los Angeles

depart late Saturday night from Papeete

Port: Bora Bora, Tahiti

Construction: Aluminum catamaran

Length: 105 feet

Beam: 28 feet

Draft: 4 feet, 1 inch

Cruising Speed: 10 knots

Range: 2,500 nautical miles

Year Built: 1997

Year Refit: 2005

Builder: Nichols Brothers, Whidbey

Island, Washington

Staterooms: Nine

Passengers: Eighteen

Crew: Six

Aggressor captains and crew members are professionally licensed as required by the laws in which the vessel operates.
They are required to comply with the Standard Operations Procedures (SOP) as set forth by Aggressor Fleet Franchising, Inc. Dive instructors and dive masters are trained and certified by national certification agencies.

• (2) 3412 Cat diesel engines, 1,000 h.p. each.

• (2) Northern Lights 70 k.w. generators.

• (2) Bauer air compressors 5,000 psi with 2,800 cubic ft.

cascade storage systems.

• 2,500 gallons water storage.

• 30-foot dive skiff.

• 15-foot dive skiff (as back-up).

• ACR DiveRes-Q Mini B™ personal EPIRBs for drift dives.

• Satellite Navigation (SAT-NAV) System.

• 36-mile color radar.

• (2) Depth sounder with alarm.

• Auto pilot with Magnetic and Gyro compass.

• (2) VHF radios.

• SSB radio with link to U.S Marine Operator.

• Weather facsimile.

• Video depth sounder.

• AT & T high seas direct phone.

• Computer station with e-mail access.

• (8) “Deluxe” staterooms with queen size bed and single bunk, lavatory, private head and shower, closet, port window, AC climate control, and hair dryer. Located on the main deck.

• (1) “Double” stateroom with queen size bed and double bunk, lavatory, private head and shower, closet, port window, AC climate control, and hair dryer. Located on the main deck.

• Shore excursions to lagoons and beaches.

• Snorkeling and scuba diving.

• Digital underwater photography.

• Entertainment center.

• Catch and release fishing.

• Salon with entertainment center, including a TV, VCR, DVD, stereo and CD player.

• Unique indoor/outdoor wet bar.

• Partially covered sun deck with chaise lounges and wet bar.

• Hot tub.

• Full-service galley with freezer and refrigerator storage.

• 18-passenger high-speed dive skiff which is boarded at the main deck and then lowered into the water by a hydraulic cradle. Dive tanks remain on the skiff and they are filled in place with either air or nitrox.

• Freshwater rinse showers on deck.

• Deck has personal gear lockers, rinse tanks and three-tier camera table with low-pressure air hoses.

• Scuba diving equipment and rental.

• Weights, weight belts, 80-cu. ft. aluminum tanks with standard "K" valves for use with standard yoke regulators.

• First aid kit, D.A.N. Oxygen System.

• Defibrillator.

• Fire detection and extinguishing system.

• Full complement of safety equipment in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard standards including a safety plan and regular drills.

• Life rafts and life jackets for all passengers and crew.

• Complies with Fiji Marine Board regulations