January 2025 - Maldives, Komodo or Palau?

[diver.xlsx]

Currently tossing up a liveaboard in Jan 2025 between the Maldives, Komodo or Palau.

Currently eyeing the following:

Maldives - Nautilis II - 13 days extreme south from Gan to Male
Komodo - Seven Seas - 11 days - Southern Komodo
Palau - Black Pearl - 8 days (inc snapper spawning)

Mainly focused on pelagics/sharks/mantas which I feel the three offer, but not sure which will offer the best experience.

Any insights or reccommendations would be greatly appreciated!

 

[aquabluegreg]

I may have a remaining space on our Blue Voyager charter to Maldives Far South Feb 20-Mar 2, 2025 and limited space on our Palau Siren new moon spawning trip May 20-30, 2025 if either trip might interest you. Maldives trip is $3239 plus nitrox, etc. Palau is $5940 discounted $500 plus nitrox.

 

[Blackcrusader]

 

[Centrals]

The latest addition of LoB by Scuba Junkie Komodo.

 

[Jai Bar]

Reviving thread, I am with similar questions:

July-August: Palau, Cocos or Maldives (probably Baa/Hanifaru atoll)?

I've never been to Micronesia nor to Cocos, and all my liveaboard to Maldives were usually February-March, and only once in May, and the seas were rougher than usual.

Which would be a better destination for July or August? Don't mind about the costs, just where the better diving is, and with water temperatures above 27 degrees...

 

[Doc Harry]

Been to
Maldives in March
Indonesia (Banda Sea) in October
Palau in January

Maldives - resort based boat diving from a northern island - several mantas and sharks, powerful currents, challenging diving

Indonesia - 11 day LOB - saw one shark and one manta. There were HUGE schools of dolphins. Hundreds of dolphins.

Palau - 10 day LOB - sharks and mantas all over the place.

 

[Centrals]

Reviving thread, I am with similar questions:

July-August: Palau, Cocos or Maldives (probably Baa/Hanifaru atoll)?

I've never been to Micronesia nor to Cocos, and all my liveaboard to Maldives were usually February-March, and only once in May, and the seas were rougher than usual.

Which would be a better destination for July or August? Don't mind about the costs, just where the better diving is, and with water temperatures above 27 degrees...

I have been to Cocos(Under Sea Hunter) once and that was in Oct. Huge school of hammerhead.
One way crossing took 36hrs!!!! Luckily the sea was NOT rough.
We spent more time in transit( 9 days) via Japan and USA than diving(6 days).
Diving in Maldives and Palau is good but Cocos is special.