Holy Grail of Diving?

[dive brat]

OK-so I am planning a trip for next fall and I want to go to the absolute HOLY GRAIL of diving. I am fairly experienced and my husband is more experienced than I. I have been to Curaco, Caribbean, Mexico. I would like to go somewhere with the BEST biodiversity (large or small creatures or both), warm water, all-around great diving.

What do you consider the Holy Grail of diving? What is the best place you've been diving, hands-down? That is where I want to go!!

I haven't done a live aboard, though would consider it (I like being able to enjoy the culture of the places I travel between dives, plus don't feel driven to do more than 2-4 dives per day).

Thanks!

d.b.

 

[ianr33]

How 'bout Cocos Island?

Not much culture (its uninhabited) and the waters on the cool side but it has Grail status.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Bonaire Do your own thing! Resonable travel.

If travel and $$$ are not a consideration how about Great Barrier reef liveaborad or Galapogos?

 

[BDSC]

I haven't been on this liveaboard but it's high on my list to do. I think this would be an awesome trip!

Komodo, Raja Ampat and Banda Sea Liveaboard Dive, Adventure Cruises & Yacht Charter

 

[vladimir]

How 'bout Cocos Island?

Not much culture (its uninhabited) and the waters on the cool side but it has Grail status.

Cocos is my favorite destination on the planet thus far--definitely grail status--but doesn't satisfy the OP's main criterion, biodiversity, and, as you note, also fails in the culture department. For biodiversity I'd opt for Komodo, Papua New Guinea, or Palau, maybe. Komodo diving is fabulous, but a little sparse of big animals and, since most of the islands are otherwise inaccessible, you won't get much exposure to the culture. Combine it with a stay in Bali, however, the likely endpoint of your liveaboard itinerary anyway, and you'll get your fill of culture. Bali is also the best place in the world to see mola-mola.

PNG wins on all counts: big animals, culture, biodiversity--just amazing. Combine a liveaboard with a few days on Loloata Island doing some day diving or, if you're ambitious (and fit), a trek in the highlands. A little time in the Papuan jungle and you'll have all the biodiversity you can stand.

Palau is also worth considering; it is more flexible in the sense that you can dive it from land or liveaboard, though I think a liveaboard is optimal. There is history and culture on the islands, great macro, and lots of sharks and pelagics. Sites like Blue Hole/Blue Corner and Jellyfish lake are unique to Palau.

 

[chadbeck]

If you want the holy grail you won't find it in the caribbean. You have to go to the pacific. I really like Fiji has lots of sharks and lots of small critters and the people are wonderful which makes for a great trip.

 

[lmorin]

Birds Head, Indonesia. Or, the area demarcated by the Philippines-Malay Archipelago-Papua New Guinea. Or, for a larger list

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I've been to the GBR in northern Queensland Australia and that blew me away.
I don't know if it's the holy grail but it's the best I've ever seen for sure. Liveaboard would be the only way I'd do it again. Day boats from Port Douglas was a tease.

I heard that Palau was about the best and that was from my old dive buddy that had been all over the world including the Red Sea, Carribean, and all over the Pacific.

 

[iztok]

If you want to do something closer, consider channel islands outside Los Angeles, CA.

Absolutely amazing biodiversity. You can stay and do dive boat rides or grab a liveaboard (like Sundiver) and hit the further away islands.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

If you want to do something closer, consider channel islands outside Los Angeles, CA.

Absolutely amazing biodiversity. You can stay and do dive boat rides or grab a liveaboard (like Sundiver) and hit the further away islands.

The Peace out of Ventura, Not big but the hot tub rules!
Best crew in the world bar none.
A two or three day liveaboard, grabbing bugs, diving some incredible spots at the outer islands, kelp forests, eating 5 star food all day long, all for pennies compared to far away destinations. Yeah, it's for me.
I don't know if it's for the OP though.