Jean-Michel Cousteau Dive Shop

We are 2 experienced divers in Savusavu for a few days. We had hoped to dive Namena but due to the weather were unable to get there. We did manage to do a single dive with JMC out to a site named Dreadlocks. It was about 15 minutes by boat into a somewhat choppy sea. The boat was large and well suited for the conditions. The site was interesting, 2 pinnacles covered in yellow soft corals. The rental gear was good quality and in good condition. Overall the experience was excellent. Thanks Aggie, Nathan & Tua.

Best dive centre with the best staff! Did my OW with them and Jeff was a great instructor, super patient and knowledgeable. Andy is the best manager and the gear is in perfect condition. It is because of them that I have decided to go pro …

I met with Aggie to arrange a dive, exchanged contact information and never hear back from her as planned. I have emailed, messaged, and called all #s . No answer. Disappointed. I read another poor review and suspect this shop is not managed by the Cousteau Family. AI says- The short answer is no, the Cousteau family does not own the resort or the dive shop. However, they are deeply involved in its operation and philosophy. Here is the breakdown of who actually owns and runs the operation: 1. Ownership: Canyon Equity The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort (including the dive shop) is owned by Canyon Equity, a San Francisco-based private equity firm. They specialize in ultra-luxury boutique properties and also own several Aman resorts and Four Seasons properties. They purchased the resort in 2005. 2. The Partnership: Jean-Michel Cousteau While he doesn’t have an ownership stake, Jean-Michel Cousteau (son of the legendary Jacques Cousteau) is a hands-on partner. * The Dive Center: He personally created Jean-Michel Cousteau Diving as a "flagship" operation to set the global standard for eco-tourism. * The Team: The dive staff is hand-picked by Jean-Michel and his team at the Ocean Futures Society. * Sustainability: He and his partner, Nan Marr, work closely with the owners to ensure the resort adheres to strict environmental and educational standards. 3. A Bit of Family History The resort actually caused a bit of family drama back in the 1990s. When Jean-Michel first opened the resort using the family name, his father, Jacques Cousteau, actually sued him. Jacques was concerned that using the "Cousteau" name for a for-profit resort would dilute the family's non-profit legacy. They eventually settled, and Jean-Michel was allowed to use his full name for the business as long as it remained clear it was a separate entity from his father's Cousteau Society. Are you planning a trip to Savusavu? I can help you look into specific dive sites nearby (like the famous Namena Marine Reserve) or provide more details on their PADI certification courses.