Need a dive destination

[StacyT]

I am trying to plan a trip for November 2006. This will be my 10th wedding aniversary, I need somewhere romantic, and with good diving.

I also dont want something that is to touristy, and hard to get to. I was looking at Yap, but the travel to get there seems like a major pain from the US. We have already been to Fiji, and would like to visit a different location.

I have a budget of about 5K total to work with as well. Anyone have any suggestions, or recemendations? Also probably a good travel agent that is diver freindly?

 

[jakubson]

I am trying to plan a trip for November 2006. This will be my 10th wedding aniversary, I need somewhere romantic, and with good diving.

I also dont want something that is to touristy, and hard to get to. I was looking at Yap, but the travel to get there seems like a major pain from the US. We have already been to Fiji, and would like to visit a different location.

I have a budget of about 5K total to work with as well. Anyone have any suggestions, or recemendations? Also probably a good travel agent that is diver freindly?

Try Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef. May be above budget, not sure. My honeymoon was there 18 years ago. Good diving. "easy" nonstop SFO to Sydney, then puddle jumper to Gladstone, then Catamaran.

For travel agent, you can try Reef & Rainforest in Sausalito. They arranged my trip to Fiji. If you had not already been there, I would have suggested Matangi Island.

 

[StacyT]

jakubson thanks for that info I'll check into that a bit further.

 

[dmpaq20]

I am trying to plan a trip for November 2006. This will be my 10th wedding aniversary, I need somewhere romantic, and with good diving.

I also dont want something that is to touristy, and hard to get to. I was looking at Yap, but the travel to get there seems like a major pain from the US. We have already been to Fiji, and would like to visit a different location.

I have a budget of about 5K total to work with as well. Anyone have any suggestions, or recemendations? Also probably a good travel agent that is diver freindly?

If you are looking for awesome diving (best on the planet IMHO), great scenery, little commercialization and very friendly people then look no further than Palau. I know it is a hassle to get there as you have to go thru Guam (Continental) but this place is amazing. I just got back from there in January (just missed the Survior crews by 2 weeks!) and those Rock Islands are stuinning.

It is will worth the trip. If you go dive with Sam's Tours and stay at the Palau Pacific (best place on the island)

Good Luck, Dave

 

[almitywife]

We go to Vanuatu every 2 years so check out Santo to dive the Coolidge (Aquamarine or Bokissa Resort for something very romantic). On the main island (Port Vila) you have Hideaway Island or Tranquility Resort (very basic and eco but fab diving). Or check out Nuie, which is technically part of New Zealand but its in the tropics and near the international date line.

we have just returned from our 4th trip to Vanuatu and have just booked our 1st trip to Yap.

http://www.aquamarinesanto.com/.
http://www.bokissa.vu/
http://www.hideaway.com.vu/
http://www.southpacdivecruise.com.vu/resort.html
http://www.dive.nu/

as far as a travel agent that is diver friendly, Im in Australia and i always use Dive Adventures. http://www.diveadventures.com.au/ (Samantha Jackman).

cheers
LSL

 

[pigletfish]

In August 2003 my husband and I spent 2 weeks in Indonesia -- one week on Bali and one week on a liveaboard that sailed out to Komodo and surrounding islands. It was a great mix of diving and topside activities, both of which were beautiful. I highly recommend the diving around Komodo (not to mention the Komodo dragons!) and the wonderful island of Bali. Not sure about doing this on a $5K budget, though...

Hawaii might be another good idea, although it may seem less glamourous. If you haven't been there, though, it really is gorgeous -- tropical beauty, great beaches, fun diving and snorkeling and lots of topside activities. It lacks colorful coral, but there are loads of pretty tropical fish, turtles, and dolphins, and also a good number of sharks and rays. I particularly recommend the Big Island, with its active volcano and manta ray night dive. From the West Coast, airfare should be around $1000 for the two of you (perhaps even less if you're lucky), and if you stay in a nice vacation rental (vs. staying at a resort) you'll have enough left over for 7-10 days of very comfortable living -- plenty of diving, some special meals, and even a helicopter tour, which is also highly recommended!

 

[dolphin adventures]

Hi Stacy:

I am a dive travel wholesaler and I have some suggestions. We have some great, (and romantic) properties in Belize that are well within your budge and very romantic. We also have some really beautiful properties in Tahiti and Cook Islands with great diving. I would love to help you and I think I could save you some moeny since we have GREAT contracts. I am also experienced the diving at all these properties. You can email me at: dolphinadventures2004@yahoo.com or call me at 1-877 U GO DIVE.

Thanks,
Mary Jane

I am trying to plan a trip for November 2006. This will be my 10th wedding aniversary, I need somewhere romantic, and with good diving.

I also dont want something that is to touristy, and hard to get to. I was looking at Yap, but the travel to get there seems like a major pain from the US. We have already been to Fiji, and would like to visit a different location.

I have a budget of about 5K total to work with as well. Anyone have any suggestions, or recemendations? Also probably a good travel agent that is diver freindly?

 

[StacyT]

Thanks for all the ideas.

I had been looking at Palau, and Vanuatu. I'll check into them a little more, but not sure if they'll be within my budget.

I am going to Maui this year, and have been there before. I have a time share there. The problem with Maui is it is really touristy IMO.

I will look into the cook islands and belize those sound like they may be within my budget.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[Canadian_Diver]

I am trying to plan a trip for November 2006. This will be my 10th wedding aniversary, I need somewhere romantic, and with good diving.

I also dont want something that is to touristy, and hard to get to. I was looking at Yap, but the travel to get there seems like a major pain from the US. We have already been to Fiji, and would like to visit a different location.

I have a budget of about 5K total to work with as well. Anyone have any suggestions, or recemendations? Also probably a good travel agent that is diver freindly?

I'm going to recommend Isla San Andres, Columbia. I dove there in the spring this year and had an amazing time. The water is 7 different colours, excellent visibility, dives ranging from novice to advanced, the reef is extremely healthy and preserved, and the people on the island are amazing... plus you can buy emerald jewellry there for cheap. I bought my wife two items that were appraised at almost 4x's and 6x's more than what we paid for them.

Every diver that I spoke with has been there on numerous consecutive occassions. Cost of diving is very inexpensive. If you are using your own equipment, a double dive is $55 USD. For 5 double dives, it's $255 USD. Other options available as well. The boat is small and typically holds no more than 14 people, but typically runs with about 8-10. Werner acts as a guide in the water, and they have a fantastic boat captain. It's the only covered boat on the island, and Werner takes you for lunch on your surface interval.


http://www.sanandres.com
http://groups.msn.com/BigJuicesSanAndresIsland/
http://www.karibikdiver.com/ - Werner (aka Wernito) is AWESOME!
http://www.decameron.com/

Right now packages are difficult to find in the USA, as are flights to the island, which is located in the armpit of the Caribbean. The island is very safe, unlike mainland Columbia. The residents are mainly english speaking island folk of creole descent, and are extremely friendly. Located almost 500km off the coast of Columbia, and about 200km off the coast of Nicaragua.

Packages from Canada (the way most American folks go) leave from both Toronto and Montreal and begin in November, and start at about $1,000 CDN all inclusive per person (not including dives) and go to a max of $1,500 CDN per person per week. Even cheaper if you go for 2 weeks. They are available through:

http://www.worldofvacations.com/
http://www.sunquest.ca/

My wife and I are trying to go back again this year, but it might be difficult as we are expecting a new addition to the family in September, my first born child, also I am going on 2 dive trips already this winter, one in November, the other in March. We are definitely going back.

The island is romantic, non-commercialized / tourist-laden, and offers some amazing adventures.

If you want even more information, pictures (underwater and above), or have any questions at all about the island, please feel free to contact me directly @ ehammerfyst@hotmail.com.

 

[seehorse]

I just can't help but agree with the advice to go to Palau. I have dived in many locations and by far it is the most spectacular. Palau Pacific is very expensive, there are other places to go but your 5K will be stretched. My husband and I just went there for our second trip in March, spent 2.5 weeks and spent about 6K. The guys at www.worldofdiving.com (chris fox) have some great deals. He booked both of our trips and is an avid diver too.
There are so many beautiful places to go! Happy anniversary!