SE Asia Trip - where to go? end of may / early june?

[chuckfee]

It looks like I will have a week available for dive travel at the end of May. I will
be in Thailand at this time so I would like to arrange a trip in Asia. Dive conditions
in the Similans will be so-so at best and we would prefer to go to a place that
is in high season in late May.

Any recommendations? It looks like May would be a good time to visit Sipadan
but we're also interested in finding a more off-the-beaten-path sort of place -
our last dives were in East Timor so we're not too worried about going to
places with a questionable safety record.

To us, the ideal spot would be off the beaten path, but close to an airport. Major
bonus points if it's an airport served by Air Asia or other low cost carriers.

Any ideas would be welcome. We're totally flexible on the location, and whether it's
a resort vs. liveaboard. However, The dates (No earlier than 26 May --> no later than
3 June) are written in stone.

 

[malaysia-islands]

Can't say much. Everyone here has their favourites and clearly much more-travelled than yours truly. Just browse the older threads here and make your pick. Welcome to SE Asia!

 

[bubblemonkey]

Dive conditions
in the Similans will be so-so at best

what makes you think this?

 

[malaysia-islands]

Well, in a sense, May is not the "peak" season for Similans, as far as I know.

 

[dive_lover88]

monsoon period.

 

[nivla80]

Wat about Malaysia? Pretty awesome sites there. Redang Islands might be a good bet. Perhentian Islands too.

 

[limbo]

Off the beaten path, how about PNG?

 

[chuckfee]

Thanks for the info. I discounted the Similans as the monsoon is in effect by the end of May and most of the liveaboard operations stop by the middle of the month.

I was actually thinking of PNG when I mentioned 'off the beaten path'. Port Moresby has a pretty bad reputation but I've heard great things about the diving there. I'll have to look into flight options from BKK. Any comments regarding diving in PNG
are welcome.

--chuck

 

[V_kids]

GO TO BALI!!!
i went to bali on May 2006 (i'm from Indonesia)
May is one of the best month to visit bali
the sea at tulameben is very calm, no wave at all
and the dive site at Nusa penida is also very calm
great visibility!!!
i event thingking to go back to Bali on May

 

[bubblemonkey]

Thanks for the info. I discounted the Similans as the monsoon is in effect by the end of May

--chuck

sorry missed the bit abouy 'May' LOL..