Which destination in the south pacific & Boat?

[ronski101]

4 of us want to do a 7-10 day liveaboard in the south pacific but are having trouble finding the right destination and boat. our last liveaboard was in 91 with mike ball. we have been to Anilao, PG, Dumagete, Apo, Lembeh, Bega, and would prefer another destination to expand our diving horizons.
Our likes: macro & big stuff, big stable boat with jacuzzi?, well run and maintained boat and dive operation, en suite baths, reasonably priced with good value.
gourmet food, valet service are secondary considerations. we don't mind currents but are not too fond of having to swim into them with 2 artificial hips among us.
Tubbataha, Palau, raja ampat, komodo (Currents), PNG, Thailand?
Maldives and red sea are toooo far for us.
any suggestions and or insights would be helpful.....

 

[Hintermann]

Tubbataha, Palau, raja ampat, komodo (Currents), PNG, Thailand?
.....

On those destinations, only PNG can be said to be anywhere near the South Pacific. The rest except Palau are in South-East Asia. Palau is 'West' Pacific.

But since you mentioned Raja Ampat, diving there is fantastic and you get plenty of choices of boat, quite a few upmarket. They are 10 to 11 day cruises and so shop around.

Komodo is also great for diving and Mermaid I does a 9/10 day liveaboard out of Bali.

Palau also has similar liveaboard choices and so worth browsing your options.

Fiji is another destination and is in South Pacific proper. Island Dancer does weekly trips while the Fiji Siren does both weekly and 10-day cruises. With Fiji you'd be better off checking weather with the locals rather than the web.

 

[Wingy]

You won't find a boat with a jacuzzi in PNG

 

[Heg]

Fiji has some awesome diving. The NAIA or the Fiji Siren both run 7 or 10 day trips. No jacuzzis though .....

 

[dirtfarmer]

Our likes: macro & big stuff, big stable boat with jacuzzi?, well run and maintained boat and dive operation, en suite baths, reasonably priced with good value.
gourmet food, valet service are secondary considerations. we don't mind currents but are not too fond of having to swim into them with 2 artificial hips among us.
Tubbataha, Palau, raja ampat, komodo (Currents), PNG, Thailand?
Maldives and red sea are toooo far for us.
any suggestions and or insights would be helpful.....

You can minimize your exposure to currents by booking your trip during first quarter/ last quarter moon. Last year my Komodo trip was during this period and on a few of the current prone sites we were able to swim around the whole site with no current. When the current is running it is dived with a negative entry and you have to swim like mad to the reef and then hook on to the reef.Not un-dooable for older divers but it leaves this 50 year old huffing and puffing a bit. Of course the current on that site is what brings in the schools of small fish and sharks/trevally that hunt them.
Komodo is excellent for big and small stuff. It has a mix of reef sites and muck. For your on there considerations I've been on the Mermaid 11 twice and it's an excellent operation, with a well cared for boat, en suite baths, good food, excellent crew. No jacuzzi though.