In Reply to: Dissatisfaction of Explorer posted by Unhappy Customer on February 25, 2006 at 18:03:58:

Most interesting, and not too surprising, unfortunately. Our dive club took the Explorer out to Anacapa Island in the spring of 2005, promoting it as a great trip to the underwater sanctuary, full of life, etc. The boat captain had other ideas, taking us DIRECTLY to the opposite end of the island (passing up the other side), saying "We've checked the conditions at the sanctuary and they're terrible, so we're trying another location." WE NEVER WENT ANYWHERE NEAR THE SANCTUARY! NEVER EVEN NEAR THAT END OF THE ISLAND! They wanted only to appease a few friends who wanted to hunt for lobsters, completely disregarding most of the people on board, including ALL our club members. We ended up at a place where there were not only no lobsters, but very little LIFE in general. Only barren rocks, not even any kelp! We were convinced the one or two garibaldis we saw were probably LOST! After TWO DIVES at this place, and about 4 lobsters were finally caught (probably all that were left!), they agreed to move the boat. We moved about 300 FEET (whoopee-ding!), to a small cove where there was lots of surge, but at least a small kelp forest. Still VERY little life; certainly NOTHING akin to the other end, at the sanctuary, where the diving WOULD have been beautiful! Conditions were NOT bad that day at all. To a person, we all felt completely ripped off for our money, our time, and that those of us who'd promoted the trip were in effect, made to be liars. We all agreed that the Explorer had seen the last of OUR business, and as I said at the top, it's sadly not too surprising to see that they still act the same toward the people who pay their way. They seem to have NO interest in whether or not their patrons enjoy themselves and have a rewarding day diving. THE WORD SHOULD GO OUT - DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY DIVING FROM THE EXPLORER!

• Re: Re: Dissatisfaction of Explorer Unhappy Customer 14:15:11 02/26/06 (0)