Dream Trip Suggesions for Inexperienced Divers

[High Plains Drifter]

Hi there -- I'm looking for help!

Ok, I've been doing everything possible, short of stealing, to stockpile frequent flyer miles and my efforts have paid off. Soon, I'll have enough miles to take my wife and me within a few hundred miles of just about any dive destination in the world (i.e. the miles will get us to Bali, but then we'd pay for the 2 1/2 hour puddle jump to Wakatobi). I'm looking for ideas, which I know is asked in a hundred different posts on the board, but the caveat is this: We are only able to dive a couple times a year. Since we've only been diving for about five years, this means we're pretty green (approx 50 dives, or so, to date). We're probably not cut out for the currents of the Galapagos or the depths of Chuuk (yes, we get somewhat nervous at the thought of 130'+ wreck dives). We've had the good fortune to make the most of our few dive trips and have hit Bora Bora, Bonaire, Belize, Sri Lanka, Hawaii, Mexico (Caribbean & Pacific) and will visit Grand Cayman in January (woot!). We'd prefer not to hit the same sites again -- at least not for the time being. Also, while we love diving, we're probably not the live-aboard type. We like land, too.

After reading the awesome descriptions of great dive sites by the really well traveled among you, I'm geeked to get your suggestions. These are the destinations I've been thinking about so far:

Palau
Wakatobi
Raja Ampat
PNG
Dominica

Any advice (for or against) for those? Resorts there? Is there a bad time of year to go? What about the dozens of places I'm sure I'm missing? Anything you've got would be really appreciated.

Many thanks,
HPD

[Illini_Fan]

For ease of diving in a far-off location, the Great Barrier Reef certainly qualifies. My son and I did a Taka liveaboard out to the Coral Sea. Most of the divers were below 50 dives in experience. The State of Queensland is fairly regulated in terms of dive rules. We had the option of having a guide (all guides were instructors) on each dive or you could go on your own. The diving is very easy. I didn't use my compass at any time and there was no current when we were there -- but that latter point can change from day to day.

I've never been to the other spots you mentioned, so no help there.

[High Plains Drifter]

I love the idea of Australia, particularly because it offers so much more than diving. But, isn't the trip to the reef from the mainland a haul? I suppose that's why you did the live-aboard, eh?

[Illini_Fan]

exactly-- the best GBR diving is well off-shore and the Osprey Reef (in the Coral Sea) is another 8 hours away from the north ribbon reefs. We spent three weeks in OZ and NZ this summer -- loved it.

[ianr33]

How about Saba? Very nice shore based diving and a beautiful,unique island.
Not as exotic as PNG but a LOT easier to get to.

[rach]

i live in dominica, and the diving is definitely easy--NO currents, great vis, and none of the dive sites are far from shore at all...

i'd stay down south (at the ft. young hotel or anchorage) and book dives through the hotel, but if you get a chance, take a day to dive up north--there are some really fantastic sites up here!

plus, you've got a TON of stuff to do on the surface--hiking, waterfalls, and sipping kubuli...can't be beat!

[pnevai]

As you have the airfare covered, If you want this to be a diving vacation, might I suggest a liveaboard trip. Perhaps the Ocean Explorer out of Thailand or Malaysia. You can check thier itnerary at Ocean Rover liveaboard diving Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), Indonesia, Andaman Islands. Southeast Asia dive cruise adventures. Live aboards offer the greatest number of diverse dive sites as they usually move from one area to another while you sleep at night.

[gibson1525]

i'd vote for saba or dominica. similar diving, very easy and very good. definitely more to do above water in dominica with all the hiking etc. both equally easy to get to.

[High Plains Drifter]

I love all of these ideas - thanks! With regard to Saba, you get there via St. Maartens, right? Is there a better time of year to go? All things equal, it sure is nice to get away from frigid Chicago in January/February and head somewhere WARM.

[ianr33]

Originally Posted by High Plains Drifter

I love all of these ideas - thanks! With regard to Saba, you get there via St. Maartens, right?

Yes. The flight is part of the Saba adventure!
YouTube - Crazy Saba Landing (cockpit view).