Choosing between Palau and Cozumel

[Mantasscareme]

Dear fellow divers,
I'm a novice with only 15 logged dives (all in calm conditions, little current) who is looking for a unique and memorable dive trip. I've heard from a friend of a friend of a friend who knows someone who (being well traveled) said that his two favorite places in the world are Cozumel and Palau. From what I read, I started to gravitate more towards the Pacific for it's soft coral and higher biodiversity.Then again, I was seriously turned off by the long flight to Palau. Point is, I need advice, could someone please give me an honest opinion on Palau, Cozumel, Palau vs. Cozumel, Palau and Cozumel, or any combination of the terms Palau and/or Cozumel. Please consider the following

1. I'm a begginer and am aware that both places have potentially dangerous currents at some of their sites. Do both Cozumel and Palau have sites that can still be enjoyed safely by divers with limited experience in currents. I also prefer to stay above sixty feet whenever possible, which destination has more to see at the shallower depths? which destination is just more begginner friendly?
2. Which destination is safer for Americans?
3. While pelagics fo all kinds are definately a huge plus, I'm not quite enough of a thrill seeker to go on shark dives that are potentially dangerous.
4. The reason the layovers worry me is because I don't want to spend good diving days stranded in Honolulu and Guam because of delayed flights. Are delays typically a problem on long flights such as LAX to Palau. This isn't really a problem with Coz since getting there from LAX is one straight shot.
5.Which place is more pristine both above and below the surface and provides a more authentic experience. Tourist traps and night clubs a big minus.
6. Creature comforts
7. With everything said and done, which place is just prettier?
Thank you for listening to my endless banter. Anyone who has had the determination to read this far, please take a moment to consider my position. What would you do?
What would choose? If you said neither, I'm open to alternatives (no liveaboards, land based only).
Thanx for your help,
Mantasscareme
p.s This is jsut the screen name I got, I have nothing against mantas

 

[Mike Veitch]

well i would seriously consider Cozumel first. Nothing against Palau, its a great place, but i would suggest with your limited experience that you "get your feet wet" shall we say in a place like Cozumel before moving on to Palau. Palau is an advanced location, sure there are plenty of easy/pretty dives that are fine for a novice but the really good dives involve a different sort of current than Coz. Once you have some more experience under your belt then you can head off to Palau next year.
As for what is prettier, definitely Palau. Lots of creature comforts but not as much variety as Coz. Definitely safer in Palau.

Hope that helps,
Mike

 

[cdiver2]

Dear fellow divers,
I'm a novice with only 15 logged dives (all in calm conditions, little current) who is looking for a unique and memorable dive trip. I've heard from a friend of a friend of a friend who knows someone who (being well traveled) said that his two favorite places in the world are Cozumel and Palau. From what I read, I started to gravitate more towards the Pacific for it's soft coral and higher biodiversity.Then again, I was seriously turned off by the long flight to Palau. Point is, I need advice, could someone please give me an honest opinion on Palau, Cozumel, Palau vs. Cozumel, Palau and Cozumel, or any combination of the terms Palau and/or Cozumel. Please consider the following

1. I'm a begginer and am aware that both places have potentially dangerous currents at some of their sites. Do both Cozumel and Palau have sites that can still be enjoyed safely by divers with limited experience in currents. I also prefer to stay above sixty feet whenever possible, which destination has more to see at the shallower depths? which destination is just more begginner friendly?
2. Which destination is safer for Americans?
3. While pelagics fo all kinds are definately a huge plus, I'm not quite enough of a thrill seeker to go on shark dives that are potentially dangerous.
4. The reason the layovers worry me is because I don't want to spend good diving days stranded in Honolulu and Guam because of delayed flights. Are delays typically a problem on long flights such as LAX to Palau. This isn't really a problem with Coz since getting there from LAX is one straight shot.
5.Which place is more pristine both above and below the surface and provides a more authentic experience. Tourist traps and night clubs a big minus.
6. Creature comforts
7. With everything said and done, which place is just prettier?
Thank you for listening to my endless banter. Anyone who has had the determination to read this far, please take a moment to consider my position. What would you do?
What would choose? If you said neither, I'm open to alternatives (no liveaboards, land based only).
Thanx for your help,
Mantasscareme
p.s This is jsut the screen name I got, I have nothing against mantas

My wife and I have dived all over the world and thought PNG was the best. Lots of hard and soft coral in pristine condition, great biodiversity. The diving is easy no currents and it is defiantly not a tourist trap yet.
Yes the flight is longer LA to OZ but you could also get some easy dives on the GBR as well
We stayed at http://www.walindi.com/

 

[Mantasscareme]

Thanks for your help. Several questions: Mike, could you uh, elaborate on how Palau is safer? Also, thanx to cdiver2 for the suggestion, but PNG seems a bit too "gone native" for someone who's really not a good traveler.
Thanks for your help, talk to you later,
Mantasscareme

 

[Doc Intrepid]

If you're "not a good traveler", go to Coz.

Palau is beautiful, above and below. The land tour of Peleliu is worth a day in and of itself, whether you dive the invasion beach or not. That said, you'll spend over 24 hours in aircraft and airports getting to Palau from the US (one way). Over 48 hours in transit round trip. Plus, diving in Palau can be more challenging.

You can generally depart for Coz in the morning, and be diving in the afternoon.

So, ...start with Coz first. Palau will spoil you for anyplace else anyway.

 

[Mantasscareme]

Thanks Doc, really informative

 

[Mantasscareme]

One more thought, how about Turks and Caicos?

 

[Mike Veitch]

Palau is safer because wellll, there isn't any crime. I am sure Coz has its share of pickpockets and b and e artists etc, scammers of all sorts.

Palau does not have that, it is a nation of only around 18 000 people, the only crime is a few fights among the locals on a friday night, also always seem to have a car gone off the causeway after some drunk driving.

I know nothing of T and C

 

[Damselfish]

Don't limit your choices to Palau and Coz just because someone said those were his favorites, no matter how well traveled they are. If you ask other people they will have different favorites - even if they have been to all the same places!

Since you are a new diver pretty much any good dive destination is going to be a unique and memorable trip. And other places may be better choices for a new diver to get experience - I'd certainly agree not to start with Palau. Also if you hit the "best place" first, others won't seem as good afterwards.

 

[Mantasscareme]

To Damselfish:
thank you for your imput. I was wondering, if not Cozumel, where? Are there any places in the Caribbean you hold above Cozumel? How are the Turks and Caicos? Do you consider Fiji safe for diving? I'm so new to this that I really need help. Thanks for everything.
-Mantasscareme