bibeldyboo
Registered
Hi All,
I'm looking to travel this year, probably sometime between June and November (I know, vague). I'm on a budget (not strict, there is some elasticity), and am trying to figure out my best bet. I'm also constrained by time, about 10 days total (once again, with some elasticity), with lots of travel time from NYC. I want to have that amazing coral triangle dive experience and the more I read, the more confused / indecisive I get. I'd love to come in $2000 USD, or less, all in (diving, accommodations, flights, other transportation), but realize that may be too little for what I'm looking for. I don't think I'd want to go above $3000 USD though.
A bit about me:
My diving experiences have been mainly within the Caribbean due to proximity. I've had some great experiences (I got to do Belize including the Blue Hole / Lighthouse Reef which was pretty amazing), but I know there is so much more in the coral triangle. About 10 years ago I got to spend a week on Lizard Island (in Australia), and dive the Yongala wreck, which was absolutely amazing. I'm not particularly into wrecks, but the life and diversity surrounding it is what really interests me. I've done about 50 total dives (advanced / nitrox certified). I love to snorkel from shore as it's great to be able to see everything without being taxed by all the scuba equipment, or timing of the dive operator. I am a single diver, going by myself which inflates the price of everything.
I'd say I love everything, but my tops are: Corals (fields of Acropora, soft corals as well) / Macro / Muck (have never done this, but looks amazing) / Biodiversity (should also note I love Giant Clams / Cephalopods / Nudis / and other inverts)
This isn't to say I don't love seeing big things / wrecks / etc., but it's not my #1 priority.
I should also note that I wouldn't mind having some top side enjoyment, I love to eat, so good food (not expensive food, but exotic food is what interests me); being able to grab a beer; and maybe being able to trek out into nature for a day or so would be cool.
Places I've been Looking at (by no means do I need to stay within the realm of these places, they just seem to come up a lot)
Philippines - Anilao / Dumaguete / Apo Island - Pros - Good flights from NYC and cheap (only about $750/rt); seems to be good muck diving and coral coverage; Cons - It looks like the other locales I've listed are consistently rated as having much better diving.
Indonesia - Komodo / Raja Ampat / Manado / Bunaken / Lembeh - Pros - Best diving in the world (Raja); Bunaken - Shore snorkeling; Cons - Expensive to get to / Long transit time / Expensive for Liveaboards
Palau - Pros - Easy to get to; Amazing Sea Life; Cons - Expensive to get to / Seems to be biased towards big things, not macro / muck / coral, etc; Would likely do land based due to cost.
Malaysia - Mabul / Sipadan; Pros - Cheaper end of things; Amazing sea life; Much at Mabul; Cons - Long transit time; Safety issues?; Permit for Sipadan;
I'd love to grab some advice. I was supposed to go to Philippines last March, but that fell through. Hoping to plan this one right to have an amazing experience. I'd say now I'm leaning towards Philippines due to the cost / ease of travel, but am easily swayed. Another interesting, not so expensive option is Bunaken / Lembeh area. Also very interested in a liveaboard, but on a budget of course!
Thanks everyone, I'm excited to hear back and plan!
I'm looking to travel this year, probably sometime between June and November (I know, vague). I'm on a budget (not strict, there is some elasticity), and am trying to figure out my best bet. I'm also constrained by time, about 10 days total (once again, with some elasticity), with lots of travel time from NYC. I want to have that amazing coral triangle dive experience and the more I read, the more confused / indecisive I get. I'd love to come in $2000 USD, or less, all in (diving, accommodations, flights, other transportation), but realize that may be too little for what I'm looking for. I don't think I'd want to go above $3000 USD though.
A bit about me:
My diving experiences have been mainly within the Caribbean due to proximity. I've had some great experiences (I got to do Belize including the Blue Hole / Lighthouse Reef which was pretty amazing), but I know there is so much more in the coral triangle. About 10 years ago I got to spend a week on Lizard Island (in Australia), and dive the Yongala wreck, which was absolutely amazing. I'm not particularly into wrecks, but the life and diversity surrounding it is what really interests me. I've done about 50 total dives (advanced / nitrox certified). I love to snorkel from shore as it's great to be able to see everything without being taxed by all the scuba equipment, or timing of the dive operator. I am a single diver, going by myself which inflates the price of everything.
I'd say I love everything, but my tops are: Corals (fields of Acropora, soft corals as well) / Macro / Muck (have never done this, but looks amazing) / Biodiversity (should also note I love Giant Clams / Cephalopods / Nudis / and other inverts)
This isn't to say I don't love seeing big things / wrecks / etc., but it's not my #1 priority.
I should also note that I wouldn't mind having some top side enjoyment, I love to eat, so good food (not expensive food, but exotic food is what interests me); being able to grab a beer; and maybe being able to trek out into nature for a day or so would be cool.
Places I've been Looking at (by no means do I need to stay within the realm of these places, they just seem to come up a lot)
Philippines - Anilao / Dumaguete / Apo Island - Pros - Good flights from NYC and cheap (only about $750/rt); seems to be good muck diving and coral coverage; Cons - It looks like the other locales I've listed are consistently rated as having much better diving.
Indonesia - Komodo / Raja Ampat / Manado / Bunaken / Lembeh - Pros - Best diving in the world (Raja); Bunaken - Shore snorkeling; Cons - Expensive to get to / Long transit time / Expensive for Liveaboards
Palau - Pros - Easy to get to; Amazing Sea Life; Cons - Expensive to get to / Seems to be biased towards big things, not macro / muck / coral, etc; Would likely do land based due to cost.
Malaysia - Mabul / Sipadan; Pros - Cheaper end of things; Amazing sea life; Much at Mabul; Cons - Long transit time; Safety issues?; Permit for Sipadan;
I'd love to grab some advice. I was supposed to go to Philippines last March, but that fell through. Hoping to plan this one right to have an amazing experience. I'd say now I'm leaning towards Philippines due to the cost / ease of travel, but am easily swayed. Another interesting, not so expensive option is Bunaken / Lembeh area. Also very interested in a liveaboard, but on a budget of course!
Thanks everyone, I'm excited to hear back and plan!
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