I absolutely loved Rangiroa for the diving, but it's not much for scenery and there is little else there, so it really depends on what you want from a vacation. It's also punishingly expensive.
The Paul Gauguin cruise was also very expensive, but the ship is really lovely, and if they are still doing what they did when we were on her (the ship was sold), it was a "one price does it all" trip. That meant anything you did on the boat was already paid for, although shore excursions and diving were still extra. We saw a lot of incredible scenery and met some nice people, but much of the diving was meh. Shark feeding is really big there. It would be a nice honeymoon/celebration trip if you were not diving obsessed.
Hawaii is a place you go, and you dive while you're there. Unless you are fascinated with endemic species, the diving will not blow you away. There are, however, more turtles there than anywhere else I have been, so it's a great place if you're a turtle fan. You can also do a lot of shore diving, if ocean conditions are favorable, which keeps the cost down, and the snorkeling is very good, which would suit your husband.
Another place to consider is Australia. I did my first big dive trip there, and we spent a week land touring as well. The people were WONDERFUL. The scenery was fabulous, and we spent a weekend in the Hunter Valley wine tasting. We did our diving at Byron Bay, which has some lovely resorts and a gorgeous beach. I don't know how the snorkeling is, because we did our diving at the marine park which is in the center of the bay. I would assume there is some snorkeling there, if the water is reasonably calm, because the rocks break the surface. The diving was fabulous. We stayed at a diver's hotel called Planula Lodge, and we would definitely stay there again if we went back, but you might want something a little more deluxe if this is a celebration trip (and if your budget extends to Rangiroa, you can afford something fancier!). There are wonderful restaurants in Byron Bay, too.
The Paul Gauguin cruise was also very expensive, but the ship is really lovely, and if they are still doing what they did when we were on her (the ship was sold), it was a "one price does it all" trip. That meant anything you did on the boat was already paid for, although shore excursions and diving were still extra. We saw a lot of incredible scenery and met some nice people, but much of the diving was meh. Shark feeding is really big there. It would be a nice honeymoon/celebration trip if you were not diving obsessed.
Hawaii is a place you go, and you dive while you're there. Unless you are fascinated with endemic species, the diving will not blow you away. There are, however, more turtles there than anywhere else I have been, so it's a great place if you're a turtle fan. You can also do a lot of shore diving, if ocean conditions are favorable, which keeps the cost down, and the snorkeling is very good, which would suit your husband.
Another place to consider is Australia. I did my first big dive trip there, and we spent a week land touring as well. The people were WONDERFUL. The scenery was fabulous, and we spent a weekend in the Hunter Valley wine tasting. We did our diving at Byron Bay, which has some lovely resorts and a gorgeous beach. I don't know how the snorkeling is, because we did our diving at the marine park which is in the center of the bay. I would assume there is some snorkeling there, if the water is reasonably calm, because the rocks break the surface. The diving was fabulous. We stayed at a diver's hotel called Planula Lodge, and we would definitely stay there again if we went back, but you might want something a little more deluxe if this is a celebration trip (and if your budget extends to Rangiroa, you can afford something fancier!). There are wonderful restaurants in Byron Bay, too.
