Pacific Diving-Where to Go?

[Itsjustme0770]

The wife and I are planning a trip for next year @ December. We are pretty advanced divers with more than 1000 dives under our belt each. Neither of us has ever been to the pacific/indian ocean. I don't want to say that money is no object, but we can pretty much afford to do what we want. We'll block 2.5 to 3 weeks for the trip. We both like the little stuff and are thrilled with the big stuff. So, with those pretty wide open criteria, I'd love your thoughts on where we should go/stay/dive with.

Thanks!

[Travelnsj]

Well that part of the world is the Best!....I love Palau been 8 times...best bio-diversity on the planet....want just big stuff...Rangiora and Fakarava in Tahiti the best...small stuff I was in East Timor/Bali last year WOW...and I am going next week...Bali/Wakatobi!

If you need any specific info dive ops etc....Been there.

[ScaredSilly]

We just did our first trip to that side of the pond. Chuuk and Pohnpei - good fun as we enjoyed the WWII aspects.

Palau is next on our list. Perhaps Bali after that.

[deepdiver47]

I went to Bali this year in July, awesome. Went to Yap (again) in May, loved it. But if you REALLY want to be "wowed", head to Palau. I am heading back there in Feb, will dive with Keith at Dive Palau.
(Travelyyn, you are so right about him, I am very impressed)

IMHO, for 3 weeks I would do these in this order, Yap, Truk Lagoon (Chuuk), and then Palau. (I can help you out with 2 out of the three)

I was last in Palau 3 years ago in early January (just after Survivor had finished) and it rained 1 day out of 8 days, really good weather. Feb/Mar is driest!

[bubba105]

I was in Palau February '07. I must attract rain. Just 2 days out of 10 but it really let loose. Dove with Sam's, can't say enough good things about them. Back at their dock they have a bar w/food, Bottomtime I believe they call it. Great sashimi. Ended most of my days there. The diving was great. Lots of big stuff but Jim, our DM, showed us lots of macro stuff also. The only thing about going there was the travel, jet lag. When I go back I'm staying in Hawaii for a week on the return leg. Have fun.

[Daved]

WOW!! over a 1000 dives a piece and never jumped over! You are in for a treat. Three weeks--hmmm
Direct to Brisbane from LA
Brissy to Townsville for the Youngla
Townsville to Cairns by tilt train
Nimrod explorer 7 day liveaboard--North Coral Sea
Cairns to PNG--4day
to Wakatobia--7 days
you are going to need 5 weeks.
Enjoy-post lots of pics

[gibson1525]

Went to palau on the peter hughes boat and had a great time. i'll let the other experts tell you all about papau as i've only been once. but i think a must do is a short trip to yap. we had 3 days of mantas, never less than 20 seen on a dive. one dive was over 90 min. because they kept coming up wanting to play. that's the only dive i've ever had to come up because of air limitations.

[Travelnsj]

Originally Posted by gibson1525

Went to palau on the peter hughes boat and had a great time. i'll let the other experts tell you all about papau as i've only been once. but i think a must do is a short trip to yap. we had 3 days of mantas, never less than 20 seen on a dive. one dive was over 90 min. because they kept coming up wanting to play. that's the only dive i've ever had to come up because of air limitations.

I think you were lucky in Yap....most people I talk to go down to to 80' blow bubbles and see a couple of Mantas go by including me....LOL. Yours is the first story (other than the local DM) that has seen them on a constant basis...Sounds like a great photo opportunity.....hope you had your camera.

So you enjoyed Palau?

[chace_nicole]

I would love to see jellyfish lake in palau! Is it just snorkeling from what I understand. Does anyone know if you can dive it?

[Travelnsj]

Originally Posted by chace_nicole

I would love to see jellyfish lake in palau! Is it just snorkeling from what I understand. Does anyone know if you can dive it?

It is snorkeling only....there are some pretty nasty toxins after about 10' to 15'.