First Liveaboard Recommendations: Great Barrier Reef or Palau

[StPeteDiver]

I've seen several threads about this, but I'm looking at particular trips and wondering if anyone has been to both of these destinations and could give an opinion. Looking for macro life as well as larger pelagics. Maybe a shark dive. I've got 300+ dives logged and looking to do some photography and video. Any info will help. Thanks in advance.
-Troy

 

[adambisi]

Though I've never dove Palau and only dove a shallow reef at the beginning of GBR. I would go with Palau on either Aggressor or Dancer Fleet.

You will get your shark dive in on the Blue Corner!

Australian Dollar is pretty strong right now too making Palau the better value. Flights have been a bit cheaper than in the past from Boston ($1700 versus $2200).

 

[altaskier]

I've done both, and both were great. If I had to pick just one, it would certainly be Palau. Good macro, sharks, Blue Corner, mandarin fish, jellyfish lake, caverns, drift dives... Do a liveaboard in Palau. I loved the Ocean Hunter I boat (takes only 6 guests) and the Ocean Hunter III looked really nice too.

 

[Bacho]

My wife and I also have had the opportunity to dive both places. Wow, hard to pick one over the other, however, if you are going to GBR, don't pick end of June-early July. As you are aware, that is their winter, and we had some winter weather! Strong winds for the whole week, which mucked up the diving somewhat, but made for a lot of rocking between sites. Palau was great, stayed on Ocean Hunter III, would do it again in a heartbeat! Both places we saw sharks nearly every dive, it was a rare dive we didn't have sharks. GBR got to hang out with Dwarf Minke Whales, which were migrating thru, which is an advantage of going in June-July. Getting to Palau is a "pita", well, Australia is no short ride either. We flew Air New Zealand to Oz, they provided good service, when we went to Palau, Continental was only option. If in Palau, take an afternoon off and go tour Pelilu. Both my wife and I like the easy pace of liveaboards, if going that far to dive, allows you to get a bunch of dives in. If memory serves correctly, we did at least 4-5 dives each day in both Palau and Aus. Take a couple extra days to see Palau, (Palau Pacific Resort is nice place to hang out) obviously more time needed to see Oz!

 

[chinacat46]

I've been to both and while I would do both again I would easily choose Palau over GBR. The reefs in Palau are generally nicer and I thought the fish life was better as well.

 

[ewaiea]

I'm really glad you posted this question - let me be the first to thank you StPeteDiver. I was guessing people would put down Palau. GBR is a place I've never heard a bad trip report - especially if they do a liveaboard that includes diving in the Coral Sea which is apparently even better. But here's my take: keep in mind I've done neither but I'm headed to Palau for my first visit this October....

Australia's GBR is everyone's dream to dive - so therefore it's not really that "original". I have this thought that when the day comes that I do eventually do it - it's going to be great and I'll love it - HOWEVER, I'll bet dollars to donuts right now that I'll probably think Palau, or Papua New Guinea or some far away outpost in Indonesia has better diving. Australia is hit somewhat hard and I've always been a road less traveled kind of guy who prefers a quiet vacation WAY outta the way and therefore Australia is just not on the top of my list right now. But if/when I go I'll dive with Mike Ball or the Spirit of Freedom for a full week - I'll make sure I do it right. And yes, I'd take some time on land for that trip.

And let me second that what so many have already stated - do a liveaboard if you do either place. Land based diving is just a way of getting a "taste" of a dive destination, doing it via liveaboard has always given me the feeling like I've TRULY dove that corner of the planet.