Honeymoon in August

[Goddard]

Hi all,

My fiance and I are trying to plan our honeymoon in August. Our dream vacation is a remote remote, relaxed, exotic location (Thailand, Fiji, PNG) where we can dive and explore on land. We'd like to see brilliant soft corals without having to go on a liveaboard and keeping the total cost of our trip under about $5000 (including airfare and diving). (Also preferably a place that is not embroiled in a coup right now.)

We know we probably can't get all of these things but anyone have any suggestions that will get us close?

Thanks!
Rachel

 

[TravelSimone]

Hi all,

My fiance and I are trying to plan our honeymoon in August. Our dream vacation is a remote remote, relaxed, exotic location (Thailand, Fiji, PNG) where we can dive and explore on land. We'd like to see brilliant soft corals without having to go on a liveaboard and keeping the total cost of our trip under about $5000 (including airfare and diving). (Also preferably a place that is not embroiled in a coup right now.)

We know we probably can't get all of these things but anyone have any suggestions that will get us close?

Thanks!
Rachel

This is going to be tough since you want "exotic" on a $5,000 budget. You don't say where you will be flying from, which will have a huge impact on price. For example, if you are in California and want to fly to Indonesia, the flights alone are probably going to cost over $2,000. A lot of hard to get to, remote locations are not inexpensive.

For me- personally- I wouldn't plan a trip to Thailand in August.

Fiji might be an option, but the best land exploration in Fiji IMO is on the main island of Viti Levu- inland.

Diving and exploring on land might be just a little tough given your budget. My husband and I will be in Sabah (Borneo) and will have 5 days of a jungle trip and 5 days on Mabul/Sipadan and just the land based portion of our trip is already at ~$4000.

You could- conceivably- take a trip to Bali. It isn't exactly remote, but there are a lot of places on the island that just don't get the crowds. Heck, even in high season last year there really weren't any crowds. You would have some nice dive and exploration options. You could go up to Menjangan and stay at Mimpi. There is some great diving here and also a national park/forest/jungle. I still think you might push your budget, because August is high season in Bali, but the weather is rather nice.

 

[prthd9]

Skip the damn wedding and just go diving.

 

[robint]

I don't think you can go anywhere exotic for under $5000 including air and diving. Hawaii is probably the cheapest to get to as far as airfare cost, but everything else makes up for it. So it isn't cheap either. If you really want a honeymoon like you describe, you are going to have to raise your $$$. You could possibly do a trip to Fiji or Bali for around $7000 including everything.
Check out some websites like www.ultimatedivetravel.com and www.caradonna.com to get some ideas of packages.

Where are you flying out of? That can make a huge difference is cost also.

robint

 

[skynscuba]

How long will you be there? As you have probably noticed, the 1-week group trips to a moderately nice place in Fiji (such as Beqa Lagoon Resort), from the bay area, will run about $2800 per person, plus tips at the resort, booze, other activities, etc. You could spend a heck of a lot more, but maybe not all that much less. RockyHeap has posted on SB a few times regarding how much he likes Kulu Bay Resort, also on Beqa Island, smaller, quieter, similar pricing. Trips to the Philippines are $3-400 less.

Congratulations, and have a great time.

 

[leslieinpv]

Hi Rachel,
I dont know if mexico is remote enough for you, but i know of some remote places here in banderas bay, puerto vallarta. vallarta is good for maybe the one night you want to party it up, but take a boat to majahuitas or yelapa or chimo and you can feel as if you are in a far away exotic place. those three that i mentioned can only be reached by boat easily and with the accomadations right on the beach or in the jungle. from there you can dive around chimo which is excellent. and for sure to be under $5000 for everything. pm me if you want to see pictures of the rustic hotels . at these places there is no cars. very peaceful and beautiful.
congrats!

 

[lemurs2]

For land based you should look on http://www.luxurylink.com/. They have auctions for some of their trips and pretty good prices. I agree with everyone else though regarding a land based/ plus diving in a remote location under $5000 will be hard to find

 

[robint]

I have another suggestion for you.. try something like www.cocoviewresort.com
yes, it is caribbean not pacific, but it has the feeling of being very exotic and will be in your price range. I think it would be a fantastic honeymoon location (Get an over-water bungalow!) and great diving or island exploring at your fingertips 24/7.


robint