First liveaboard - where to go?

[Doc]

From what I have seen/read/heard I am going to try to save up miles to get to Indonesia - if that doesnt pan out Belize will keep me smiling.
Thanks all!

Before you jump headlong into an Indonesian liveaboard, consider the Philippines landbased for 1/3 of the price. See my trip report at http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?f...48905954&blogMonth=1&blogDay=11&blogYear=2007 and my pix are linked at the top of the report.

 

[jasondcrawford]

I did the Nekton Belize trip in January of this year. Great trip! The Nekton is a bit cheaper than the Agressor, which for us was a huge plus. We talked with the folks at the office for quite some time about the South or Central itineraries, and it turns out they're essentialy the same -- Depending on what the weather is like, they may or may not try to get to Glover's reef, but because it is a bit out of the way, they usually skip it from what I understood. Half-Moon Caye was our favorite of the dive sites.

Another plus -- I don't know about other liveaboards in the area, but the Nekton offered up to 6 dives a day (if you could get a total of 4 guests to sign up, they'd have the crew up and out on the deck to supervise a dawn dive for you). Dawn, 2 morning, 2 afternoon and a night dive. Go Nitrox and you should be fine on all your tables.

I just checked their website, and they've even got some weeks that are only $1500 if your scheduling works out.

 

[Shasta_man]

Only prob with land based is they don't do as many dives per day.

 

[diveborg]

if you are really into little stuff then you should go to the little stuff mecca of the world... Indonesia. I have friends who have been to Lembeh and Wakatobi and they all RAVE about it. We haven't been yet but it is on our wish list for 2008.
If you are a digital photographer or wannabe, this might be the perfect trip for you:
http://www.digitaldiver.net/ddi.07.php
its not a liveaboard but 3 dives per day and 10 days with a really fun group.

robint

That is a pretty good price and the quality of the diving would be superior to any in the Caribbean. Three dives there would be better than 5 dives in the Caribbean.

However, you shouldn't go there as it will make any future Caribbean dive trips a bit lack luster.

 

[lemurs2]

Before you jump headlong into an Indonesian liveaboard, consider the Philippines landbased for 1/3 of the price. See my trip report at http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?f...48905954&blogMonth=1&blogDay=11&blogYear=2007 and my pix are linked at the top of the report.

RoatanMan, I'd like to read your trip report but the link just goes to a report about a travel bag

 

[kidsdream]

There is only one reason not to go - you will be spoiled for life.

The crew and boat are outstanding. And for diving the hardest thing is to decide if you are going to go for Macro or WA images.

I have traveled the world and the Fijian people are among the most friendly and the diving is to die for. The Fiji Agressors are another options but the crew is not as well taken care of by the owners so you do not get feel as on the Nai'a.

and

No contest.

 

[Vtdiver2]

What about trying the Bahamas? Blackbeard's has sloops, the Cat Ppalu and the Aquacat, so you have options on price and area. I did the Cat Ppalu a couple of years ago which took us thru the Exumas, and it was awesome diving for an affordable price. Check out my pics from the trip.
C-Dawg

 

[jeremyl]

Revitalizing this thread as I am not planning more seriously. Got delayed due to a new job. I am heading off to Cozumel in 6wks go and testing out my new underwater camera rig (G9 w/ike housing & dual DS125's). If I get good pix my reward to myself is a liveaboard.

Indonesia is def. on the list, but I think I decided not to do it as my first Liveaboard. I want to get some more diving experience and time with the camera before I commit to that big of a journey.

So I am thinking Carib. Belize still sounds quite nice to do as a LA. Playing on the outer reefs. I would do Aggressor or Hughes after the latest reports from Nekton. Dont need to start a war here - there is already a thread on that. But I can afford the others and I am on vacation and dont mind paying a bit for a bit of luxury (and since I am leaving the non-diving wife at home I might as well spend some of the money I am saving by going solo ).

So if you were going to pick a dream Liveaboard in the Caribbean where and when would you go? From reports it looks like Roatan would be better (and different) sealife than Belize but is there a good LA option, or is it not worth it and I should do that land based later? Or maybe the Utila Aggressor? Looks like they tape into Roatan.

Thanks!
Jeremy

 

[Damselfish]

Here's a couple threads that might help with the Belize vs. Utila livaaboard question, if you haven't found them yet-
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/central-america/145588-belize-utila-aggressor.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/charter-boats-cruises-liveaboards/132805-i-did-utila-aggressor.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bay-islands/121544-utila-aggressor-experiences.html

 

[robint]

So if you were going to pick a dream Liveaboard in the Caribbean where and when would you go? From reports it looks like Roatan would be better (and different) sealife than Belize but is there a good LA option, or is it not worth it and I should do that land based later? Or maybe the Utila Aggressor? Looks like they tape into Roatan.

Thanks!
Jeremy

Okay, if I were picking a dream Liveaboard in the Caribbean....
gosh, that would be tough. Sooooo many choices! I still haven't made it to Belize so its up near the top of the list. But I must say - it would be a liveaboard to Caymans or Turks & Caicos. The Aggressor goes to Caymans all year long. The Aggressor and the Explorer both have boats in T&C. So I would pick what dates work best for me and then figure out which trip.
There is also the Explorer boat that goes to Saba/St. Kitts and I have been told it is a great trip.
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