Best Pacific/Indian Ocean Dive Destination in July

[Bunty]

Hi,
I was planning to go to Palau for a week long dive trip in July, but was cautioned that it is the rainy season at that time. So now I'm thinking of going to Fiji instead (it is their winter, given the souther hemispehere). Another option is the Red Sea. Do you think that makes sense (switching to southern hemisphere divesites instead)

Thanks!!!

 

[hallboy]

Fill your profile: it will help to answer. Where are u living? how much dives logged ? where have you dove? How long are your hollydays?

 

[Bunty]

My friend is a divemaster w/ about 100 dives. I'm a rescue diver w/ about 60 dives. We both live Thailand. We've primarily been diving the SE Asia sites (Similans, Sipadan, Bali) so we're looking to really try the other non SE sites. We both like to see bigger stuff (sharks, mantas, pelagics, napoleans) and have about 2-weeks off starting from early July. I've been doing research on the dive sites, like the ones in Thailand, and seems as though most northen hemi sites are not good during July (rainy) season. Thanks!!!

 

[hallboy]

if you can afford try a liveaboard on Shakti, ( Iran jaya departure from Sorong ) ,or Komodo maybe from Labuhan bajo with Reefseekers; or Derawan from Maratua resort

 

[Bunty]

But wouldn't the weather be bad during those times? I thought that the rainy season in SE Asia would bring bad viz and rought waves; that's why I was was thinking of moving south.

 

[pigletfish]

I did a Komodo liveaboard in August 2003 -- it is not the rainly season in Indonesia then, at least not in the area around Bali. The weather was sunny and perfect, calm seas, and good viz. It was a great trip, but I've heard wonderful things about so many Asia-Pacific dive destinations...

 

[hallboy]

For Komodo or Derawan it's the best time of the year

 

[caymaniac]

My friend is a divemaster w/ about 100 dives. I'm a rescue diver w/ about 60 dives. We both live Thailand. We've primarily been diving the SE Asia sites (Similans, Sipadan, Bali) so we're looking to really try the other non SE sites. We both like to see bigger stuff (sharks, mantas, pelagics, napoleans) and have about 2-weeks off starting from early July. I've been doing research on the dive sites, like the ones in Thailand, and seems as though most northen hemi sites are not good during July (rainy) season. Thanks!!!

What about "Australia" Southern Hemi. or "Papua New Guinea" North Hemi. ? I've been to both in your time frame and had great weather. Here are some pix from July time frame.

 

[Bunty]

Thanks very much!!! I really appreciate all your posts! Will look into the Indonesia / Australia sites.

 

[almitywife]

what about East Timor???

ive spoken to 2 different couples this week that have returned (one couple in Feb and one in March) and loved it even though they got rainy season. we already making our plans to get there later in the year