Randallr
Contributor
I posted this in the Australia forum, but I wanted to reach here for guidance, too. I've got a business trip scheduled to Sydney in late August. I'd been excitedly thinking about following it with a liveaboard out of Cairns, to the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. But then I saw the average water temp there and then is 75 degrees. I'm an 80+ degree diver, and I'm not ashamed to say it: I don't like the claustrophobia of hoods, and I appreciate a non-shaky camera. So my question to the well-traveled among you is: Where else in the APAC region might I go?
I see Jakarta, Singapore, and Manila are all within 8 hours or so of Sydney. So where would you fly for a great underwater experience (ideally, with some topside culture nearby, too)? I'm really eager for suggestions. I'm looking for healthy reefs, great marine life, excellent photo opportunities, macro photography if I can get it, and fantastic Asian food and atmosphere would be a wonderful add-on.
And if you think I'm making a terrible mistake and think I should still do a liveaboard out of Cairns, let me know!
I see Jakarta, Singapore, and Manila are all within 8 hours or so of Sydney. So where would you fly for a great underwater experience (ideally, with some topside culture nearby, too)? I'm really eager for suggestions. I'm looking for healthy reefs, great marine life, excellent photo opportunities, macro photography if I can get it, and fantastic Asian food and atmosphere would be a wonderful add-on.
And if you think I'm making a terrible mistake and think I should still do a liveaboard out of Cairns, let me know!