Location suggestions?

[JumpIn8]

Hi all;

I'm looking for advice from all of you. I'm looking to head somewhere the first part of October (or the first part of November) that
has the following criteria:

-resort centered around diving

-sandy beach with great snorkeling

-quieter location as I need to get away from life

-anywhere in the Pacific, or anywhere that isn't quite the rainy season. Not as far as Maldives or Seychelles, though.

-Not overly expensive (prefer $150/day or less, and traveling alone so have to pay a single supplement), so places like Wakatobi are out

-More interested in larger creatures (sharks, rays, etc.) than macro

-I've enjoyed Posada Del Sol in Guanaja, Honduras (now closed), Kadavu - Matana Resort in Fiji, etc.

-Not excited about doing a liveaboard right now

-Please no sarcastic remarks about my request---these places exist. I've been reading through this forum for weeks now.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DiveExploreIndonesia]

Hey,

For Indonesia I see only 2 that could perfectly match your criteria : Selayar dive resort, Alor divers ( no single supplement ).

 

[JumpIn8]

Hey DiveExploreIndonesia;
Thanks so much for the suggestions.

Sam

 

[ocdiver1]

Might be worth checking out Kri Eco Resort in Raja Ampat (West Papua). I loved it and didn't pay a single supplement, and about as "middle of nowhere" resort as you can find

 

[highdesert]

Here's a thought ...

Mimpi Indah resort - Bangka Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia - Welcome to Mimpi Indah resort

 

[JumpIn8]

Thanks OCDiver1 and highdesert. I'm loving these ideas. There are some real hidden jewels out there that are not well known and people may not be willing to divulge...but not this forum. Thanks all and keep the ideas coming, Sam

 

[Luko]

Here's a thought ...

Mimpi Indah resort - Bangka Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia - Welcome to Mimpi Indah resort

Same area as HD's suggestion, I liked this operation I used 3 weeks ago, on a small but very nice beach with indonesian dive guides you can't beat, they're the original operation on Bangka : Murex Bangka.
Don't expect many pelagics like sharks and rays, although nearby Sahaung spot is probably one of the best divespot in the world for corals and fishlife.

 

[JumpIn8]

Luko; Thanks for this suggestion--it's just stunning at Murex Bangka. I knew you all would have some incredible gems to share.

~Sam

 

[Wisnu]

JumpIn,
You may also consider Donggala, central sulawesi - beautiful white sandy beach with more than 500 m house reef, excelent for snorkeling and night diving. Youl'l find my report in this subforum or just check my daughter's blog below my signature.
Unfortunately, not a bigfish sites although they said whalesharks is ocassionaly seen, but not to our luck - the biggest we've seen is the huge residentmoray eel during our night dive, just at 3-4 m depht.
We saw at least 6 reef sharks on each our dive at south attol, 1 hour by boat from the resort. They are very shy and just patrol around us in the distance.
Another sites in Marantale at Tomini bay side, no named yet, are the best viz. probabaly 40 - 50m I've experienced in almost 500 dives in the region. Again, no bigfish - all about healthy coral, beautiful anthias, and massive sponges.

 

[AlMitch]

Here's a thought ...

Mimpi Indah resort - Bangka Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia - Welcome to Mimpi Indah resort

I would second this. I have a report on this resort from October last year with a video on Youtube. Search for Mimpi Indah Resort.