help needed for ultimate dive trip

[lee3]

So, I basically have about 2.5 years tops until I'll be trying my hand at fatherhood. In the meantime, I would like to get as many great scuab trips in as possible. My biggest limitation is time, unfortunately. At most, I could swing getting 3 weeks off at a time for a liveaboard or vacation somewhere else. I'm interested to read others thoughts on what their best dive vacation has been. I've been reading and watching tons of videos and the cocos island trip sounded great with dives intermixed with hikes on the island.

My biggest concern is accomodations. Since I don't go away too often, when I do I like to spare no expense. What are the most plush dive boats one can frequent the world over? I've definitely got dive sites in mind; however, I have little direction as to the best liveaboards for each site. I would have as few as 2 passengers and up to 15 that would probably pay in excess of $5k per person per week for the best accomodations and experiences. So, what are the best spots you've been to in your life and why? I'm merely looking for some direction to help narrow down a search. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Doc]

I would like to get as many great scuab trips in as possible. My biggest limitation is time
My biggest concern is accomodations. Since I don't go away too often, when I do I like to spare no expense. What are the most plush dive boats one can frequent the world over? I've definitely got dive sites in mind; however, I have little direction as to the best liveaboards for each site. I would have as few as 2 passengers and up to 15 that would probably pay in excess of $5k per person per week for the best accomodations and experiences. So, what are the best spots you've been to in your life and why? I'm merely looking for some direction to help narrow down a search. Thanks in advance for your help.

Whoa a minute. One minute you say you've got the dive sites in mind... then you say "what are the best spots you've been to..."

You name a dive location, I'll do my best to give you a liveaboard that will make your Titanium Visa card go Carbon.

I can direct you to a once in a lifetime experience diving in the Galapagos with a crew in places others only fantasize about... but not a live aboard per-se.

Want to go to the Maldives and want fabulous meals and phenomenal live aboard instead of what they show in Scuba Diver Magazine? It can be done.

How about Antarctic diving with the Russkies? A thrash with the Pirhanha? A shocking meet & greet with an Electric Eel?

Wanna feed the Whale Sharks like they did on JackAss with your shorts full of shrimp? I would!

If you don't have to have a live aboard, I know a guy that wants to bop out to Johnston Attol and look for some Lockheed Electra (again).

Lusitania? Downed fighter aircraft in the S Pacific, PT Boats that JFK didn't skipper- ones that maybe 10 round eyes have seen. All it takes is money.

Where do you wanna go? I'll point you there- but specify where and if you have to be live aboard or could do land based. At 5K a week per person, and I am assuming that is for the live aboard only, you have some interesting options. :07:

In the mean time, make sure the future potential mother-to-be is a diver and get the theoretical little swimmer his first rubber ducky & wetsuit and plan to get him diving, too.

 

[lee3]

roatan, i do not need to be on a liveaboard solely, actually would probably prefer land based. It just seemed that many of the harder to get to dive sites seemed to be only liveaboard from what I've read. The particular one I was referring to in cocos boasted hot tubs, 5 course meals (i'm a wine freak) , day hiking on the island between dives and blah blah blah. I have nothing set in stone obviousoly but am looking for the very best, would probably prefer some warm water diving since majority of our local dives are in monterey. I would love more information on your "once in a lifetime experience diving in the Galapagos" -that quote is basically the type of experience I'm looking for. Whale sharks are of course a big plus. This sounds like a very disturbing personal. I can forego the antartic in the short term. Thanks

 

[H2Andy]

Wanna feed the Whale Sharks like they did on JackAss with your shorts full of shrimp? I would!

you're a heck of a better man than i am

 

[Damselfish]

I read about this someplace and it sure looks like a plush dive boat - get a load of the picture of the dive deck - http://www.fourseasons.com/maldives/vacations/special_features.html They list a rather odd and limited dive schedule, but maybe if you have enough people to take over the boat...

 

[Michael Schlink]

Go to Wakatobi

 

[justleesa]

I read about this someplace and it sure looks like a plush dive boat - get a load of the picture of the dive deck - http://www.fourseasons.com/maldives/vacations/special_features.html They list a rather odd and limited dive schedule, but maybe if you have enough people to take over the boat...

I'd go for the explorer suite.....niiiice.....

 

[lee3]

Damselfish, that boat looks about perfect but I'd be more inclined to find a boat that we're doing 4 or 5 dives per day. Also, it took me about 10 years to learn to stop staying at 4seasons and instead opt for a much nicer condo, no matter the destination, for about half the price and 1000x more privacy. Personally, I just can't stand staying at hotels anymore. Still, a gorgeous boat nonetheless and if I could get it filled with friends perhaps we could change the schedule somewhat. thx

 

[RSoper]

type in on a search engine "full Circle Expeditions£ maybe togethor with "Monty Halls," and you will find the website for his 10 week round the world diving expeditions, that cost around £12000 (sterling,) but you get to dive all the best spots in the world, with a group. I would do it like a shot if i had the money.

 

[Seadeuce]

If you feel you will be somewhat restricted in dive travel in a couple of years, I suggest you plan to do all the long-haul trips first and leave the closer destinations until last. That way, when you are "restricted", a short/medium haul trip might become manageable, whereas a long-haul would be out of the question.

Cocos is a bit near your base, and I would consider it a medium trip. Galapagos is long-haul.

This is what I did, and it is working out a dream. Should narrow down your research a bit - farthest away first. Whan you compile a short-list let us know. Then we can be more specific about trip suggestions, custom profiles etc. A liveaboard is an excellent way of getting the best diving in an area, but a few days of excursions after a week aboard, then two or three day's land-based diving to round off your trip can be one nice way to experience both topside and undersea of any given location.

Just my .02c


Seadeuce