Where is the best Non-Liveaboard Diving in the world?

[GWG Dave]

Hello all.

I'm looking to relocate somewhere.. permanently.

-I'm an American. I have a 9-5 job & specialized advanced degree that should make it relatively easy for me to get a visa (and eventually, permanent residency) most places. *I'd prefer to remain anonymous and to leave that ^ at that for now. I have lived abroad in the past and loved it. I learn new languages quickly. And I am also a dive instructor.

-I'd like to relocate somewhere with great land-based diving (if I can teach on wknds, great). I like big marine life (Seals/Sea Lions, Whales/Whale Sharks, Dolphins, Sharks, Mantas, Manatees/Dugongs, etc.) and healthy coral reefs. I like cave diving too.. but I'm not overly big on wrecks, macro, tech, etc. I like warm water. I like walking around and not worrying that I'm going to get robbed. I like places that aren't super overpopulated and polluted. And I like places where there's at least a little something to do besides sit on beautiful beaches and scuba dive.

Reaching out to some of the more well-traveled and experienced divers here.. you know, people who have hit a few bucket-list destinations. Anywhere in the world is an option.

Does anyone have some good suggestions for me to investigate?

 

[KathyV]

Hello all.

I'm looking to relocate somewhere.. permanently.

-I'm an American. I have a 9-5 job & specialized advanced degree that should make it relatively easy for me to get a visa (and eventually, permanent residency) most places. *I'd prefer to remain anonymous and to leave that ^ at that for now. I have lived abroad in the past and loved it. I learn new languages quickly. And I am also a dive instructor.

-I'd like to relocate somewhere with great land-based diving (if I can teach on wknds, great). I like big marine life (Seals/Sea Lions, Whales/Whale Sharks, Dolphins, Sharks, Mantas, Manatees/Dugongs, etc.) and healthy coral reefs. I like cave diving too.. but I'm not overly big on wrecks, macro, tech, etc. I like warm water. I like walking around and not worrying that I'm going to get robbed. I like places that aren't super overpopulated and polluted. And I like places where there's at least a little something to do besides sit on beautiful beaches and scuba dive.

Reaching out to some of the more well-traveled and experienced divers here.. you know, people who have hit a few bucket-list destinations. Anywhere in the world is an option.

Does anyone have some good suggestions for me to investigate?

You might review the threads below to see the suggestions offered to the OP, although they include LOB recommendations:

Where is the Best Overall Diving in the World?? (Big question I know lol)

I'm an instructor, I'm planning a 7'ish yr working-vaction, and I'm looking for location ideas!

 

[Doc]

(if I can teach on wknds, great).

minor question:
Teach....diving? What agency, what's your highest cert level?

really big deal type question:
Do you need technology access to perform your Secret Squirrel Stuff? Like real-deal first-world internet access?

 

[drrich2]

Given how diverse your interests are, and how some tend to be somewhat exclusive to each other (whales, manatees, sea lions, healthy coral reefs, good topside...), I'm watching to see what destinations others come up with.

Not being so widely traveled, I wonder if the answer will prove to be...more than one destination. Perhaps living near good diving covering some of your interests, near a good airport 'hub' with decent airfare to others?

If you lived in the Fort Lauderdale region, you could make it to the Florida Keys for reefs, Jupiter for 'big stuff' (even shark feed diving with tiger sharks, etc..., if that's your thing), fresh water springs, cave diving, within a few hours drive of everything from rural to big city pleasures, and I would think flights out of Fort Lauderdale would hit a range of places.

I hope someone produces the great destination you're hoping for.

Richard.

 

[Landau]

Your preference for "warm water" and "coral" seems to narrow down "In the world" to "in tropical and other warm water areas"

 

[diversteve]

w/o details on the job situation - one that hits all your wants except Manatee's and just occasional whaalesharks? is Kona, the Big Islnad, HI. Or possibly Kauai but non-dive things there are still a bit limited. As are Kauiai shore dive options or dive shops to affiliate with. Maui also has fast internet since the gov't co-sponsored it since the Maui Superomputing Center used to to data analysis for NASA - maybe still does. It's pricey there but on my short list of places to retire. Maui is also more touristy than you may like but I've been to - and stayed in areas of all 3 islands where you almost don't notice.

It's also a quick hop over to Oahu for just about anything. And direct flights (obviously) back to the mainland if you need that.

What about Panama? The issue might be work is in a different part of the country than the diving. Don't know much about it. I believe some big multi-nationals have a presence in Panama City.

It might help to have some idea of what you do...

 

[GWG Dave]

minor question:
Teach....diving? What agency, what's your highest cert level?

really big deal type question:
Do you need technology access to perform your Secret Squirrel Stuff? Like real-deal first-world internet access?

1. PADI MSDT.
2. No I do not.

 

[GWG Dave]

Given how diverse your interests are, and how some tend to be somewhat exclusive to each other (whales, manatees, sea lions, healthy coral reefs, good topside...), I'm watching to see what destinations others come up with.

Not being so widely traveled, I wonder if the answer will prove to be...more than one destination. Perhaps living near good diving covering some of your interests, near a good airport 'hub' with decent airfare to others?

If you lived in the Fort Lauderdale region, you could make it to the Florida Keys for reefs, Jupiter for 'big stuff' (even shark feed diving with tiger sharks, etc..., if that's your thing), fresh water springs, cave diving, within a few hours drive of everything from rural to big city pleasures, and I would think flights out of Fort Lauderdale would hit a range of places.

I hope someone produces the great destination you're hoping for.

Richard.

I'd imagine that no where in the world covers all of my interests lol. Nice thing about having many interests is that a few places might have a few of them.

I'd prefer to simply live and work somewhere with great shore diving. Half-hour boat ride away from good diving.. as opposed to a plane trip.

 

[GWG Dave]

Your preference for "warm water" and "coral" seems to narrow down "In the world" to "in tropical and other warm water areas"

I'd prefer that to temperate water diving for sure. But if I could live in the Galapagos, I'd happily put on my hood and gloves every wknd.

 

[GWG Dave]

w/o details on the job situation - one that hits all your wants except Manatee's and just occasional whaalesharks? is Kona, the Big Islnad, HI. Or possibly Kauai but non-dive things there are still a bit limited. As are Kauiai shore dive options or dive shops to affiliate with. Maui also has fast internet since the gov't co-sponsored it since the Maui Superomputing Center used to to data analysis for NASA - maybe still does. It's pricey there but on my short list of places to retire. Maui is also more touristy than you may like but I've been to - and stayed in areas of all 3 islands where you almost don't notice.

It's also a quick hop over to Oahu for just about anything. And direct flights (obviously) back to the mainland if you need that.

What about Panama? The issue might be work is in a different part of the country than the diving. Don't know much about it. I believe some big multi-nationals have a presence in Panama City.

It might help to have some idea of what you do...

Thank you for the great response Steve. Internet access isn't a big issue for me.

Hawaii would be a really nice option for sure. Best non-liveaboard diving in the world you think? I wonder how it compares to Fiji, Raja Ampat, etc.