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Thanks for that TSandM. It's great to finally get a diver's insight on the Paul Gaugin.
I'm still confused as to where is the best place to dive late June early July though. Komodo is the rainy season although Bali is good, Palau is rainy but still recommended and Rangiroa seems like there's only a couple of dive sites if land based, or am I wrong?
A week on a liveaboard in Palau, then a week over at Yap for some culture and diving. If you don't know much about Yap, it is basically one of the few places in world with a culture unaffected by modern culture. The people still live much as they have done for centuries. Do some searches on YouTube and you will understand what I mean.
video to check out, not by me, but someone who was just there last year...
the other option in the area is Truk lagoon... WWII Japanese wrecks covered with growth.
Robint if you think the weather is OK end of June/ beginning of July then that sounds fantastic!!! I'm getting excited! Any specific liveaboard recommendations? I'm going to watch the Yup videos right away! Thanks!!!
Robint if you think the weather is OK end of June/ beginning of July then that sounds fantastic!!! I'm getting excited! Any specific liveaboard recommendations? I'm going to watch the Yup videos right away! Thanks!!!
there are 4-5 liveaboards to choose from.
We did the Eco Explorer, sister ship to Big Blue Explorer(it was out for remodel when we were there)... it is a very old boat, former Japanese whaler. It is big and roomy, not fancy. We liked it alot but it is not for everyone. All diving done from small boat, where your dive gear stays (except wetsuits and cameras) for the entire trip. They fill tanks while you eat meals. Very nice setup but I think others do it the same way. The boat is owned and run by a company in Philippines, so crew and cooks come from there. We loved the food, fresh sushi caught by crew while we were out diving, very Asian style meals with rice and fish all meals, then other stuff. Good variety and the vegetarian diver had no problems. Palau Aggressor... a bit more expensive, much nicer overall. Fancier meals. They also dive from a small boat, leaving the "mother ship" in a harbor. Peter Hughes... similar to Aggressor in all respects. Ocean Hunter... 2 boats, a big one and a smaller one. The price is higher than other options. I think they dive directly from the ships, not from a smaller boat, if that matters to you. I have heard the big boat is very luxurious. Not necessarily something that interests me but others love it.
my topside video:
If we went back to Palau for a liveaboard, I might pick one of the nicer boats, just to see the differences. We didn't mind being on the Explorer boat, but might be nice change, depending on finances. Friends who have done the Aggressor Palau loved it.
when you search for videos of Yap on YouTube, search "Yap Micronesia" for best results.
I don’t know much about Palau, so cannot help you for this part (but you got a lot of info already from others).
June July is excellent for Bali, but might be a bit under your expectation, I would suggest to go a bit more wild: live aboard in Komodo combine with resort in Alor. Unless you like to see only big fish, then Rangiroa is the choice….Indonesia is more for fish life and macro than for big stuff.
No, I haven't been there personally, but I heard a lot of really nice things about it... one guy also wrote a report about it on ScubaBoard: his name is Kevster, Big Trip Indonesia- Part 2 –Alor & Lembeh
this guy talks about sleeping in Kupang, but as I know it is not necessary to sleep in Kupang on the way there or back...
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Originally Posted by MissDoo
