First South Pacific trip - where to go?

[howswedeofme]

We are looking into our first South Pacific trip, likely during the month of November, and there are so many options that we are a bit overwhelmed with deciding where to go. We've heard great things about Fiji, Bali and Sipadan from friends of ours but also feel a bit obligated to try to stop over on the Great Barrier Reef while we're over on that side of the world. We are planning to go for two weeks and could do one week in two different places or two weeks in one place. We are medium experienced divers, around 100 dives each, and don't care too much about other touristy stuff to do. We are leaning toward a land-based operation as we haven't done a liveaboard before and like the freedom to roam around a bit. What places do people really love for the topside accommodations? Where's your favorite diving? And safe dive ops?

 

[runsongas]

south pacific is commonly referred to for melanesia/polynesia. Bali/sipadan (indonesia/malaysia) would be considered southeast asia. for 2 weeks, you can consider hopping from fiji to tahiti, but it will cost you more and you will get fewer dives in. the best diving for both are also not on the main island with the international airport, so that compounds the issue. it would be more practical to hit two islands in fiji (eg savu savu/taveuni/kadavu) or tahiti (rangiroa/fakarava) instead. i would just pick either fiji or tahiti, then set your budget and look for hotels/resorts from there.

 

[Bert van den Berg]

What about New Zealand? The Poor Knights Islands is rated in the top ten best
dive spots in the world.

 

[runsongas]

Not really tropical diving and not south Pacific in my opinion. Like telling people to visit Seattle if they are looking for a beach vacation on the west coast.

 

[howswedeofme]

Thanks for the clarification on South Pacific vs Southeast Asia. And thanks for the suggestions so far! We are open to any and all suggestions about the best places to dive in the Southeast Asia/South Pacific/Australia or NZ area, I suppose. We know nothing about diving outside of the Caribbean or traveling outside of the Caribbean and Europe.

 

[Bert van den Berg]

Thanks for the clarification on South Pacific vs Southeast Asia. And thanks for the suggestions so far! We are open to any and all suggestions about the best places to dive in the Southeast Asia/South Pacific/Australia or NZ area, I suppose. We know nothing about diving outside of the Caribbean or traveling outside of the Caribbean and Europe.

New Zealand really is in the S. Pacific but as runsongas said, it's not tropical. The North Island is "semi-tropical" and often referred to as "the winterless North".

The dive ops are extremely careful and safe. They rely on tourists since most of the local divers have their own boat or know someone who does. Several of the dive operators also have inexpensive land based accommodations. There is a bus that will take you from Auckland to Tutukaka (where the dive operators work from). That way you don't have to learn to drive on the left hand side of the road

 

[Centrals]

That way you don't have to learn to drive on the left hand side of the road

The only way to drive!!!!!

In SE Asia, Indonesia and Philippines.

 

[KathyV]

I know this isn't what you asked for, but since you are looking to expand your diving outside the Caribbean and into the Pacific, you should also consider a Hawaiian dive trip some time. Very different from the Caribbean but some great diving and a lot of fun topside, too.

 

[Darnold9999]

Consider a Bali/Komodo combination. Lots to do topside on Bali and the diving in Komodo is as good as it gets.

 

[dirtfarmer]

Consider a Bali/Komodo combination. Lots to do topside on Bali and the diving in Komodo is as good as it gets.

Gets my vote too.
Bali has great diving and lots of topside culture and fun and Komodo has excellent diving to inoculate your future diving Indonesia addiction.