Need help making a choice - Bali, PNG or Espiritu Santo

[John2006]

Hi All,

OK. I'm in need of a few imformed opinions. I'm heading to Sydney for two weeks in August. I want to pull a side trip while I'm there, and am considering PNG, Bali & Espiritu Santo for 5-6 days. I'm a diver. My wife is not. Ideally, I'd like to do a couple of days diving, and some top side exploration. Any opinions on how these all stack up against each other?

Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks,
John

 

[Saialle]

Hi John,

I can only speak for Bali. Diving is good, there are many sites and top side is wonderful. Balinese have a rich culture, you can visit temples, see Kecak (100 male singers) and Barong Dance, or visit terrace rice fields.

It was our best trip ever.

Enjoy!

 

[almitywife]

hmmmmmmmmmmmm

what does the mrs like to do while your diving?? bali offers her lots of lazing around and shopping

Santo.. when the diving is finished you can do some kayak tours and more lazing around but no shopping. as a diver i dont think you can ever regret diving Santo/the coolidgee, it def is a must do dive

btw, are you aware of the flights? sydney/port vila/santo OR sydney/brisbane/santo so might loose a day with the extra travel if you go via port vila

cheers and good luck

 

[desparoz]

I've not dived in Bali, so can't comment first hand. But it is highly recommended from several people whose opinions I trust.

PNG and Santo are fantastic.

To dive Loloata in PNG might be your logistically easiest choice, and provide great diving. You're on an island off Port Moresby, so no connections, after a direct flight from Sydney or Brisbane. Diving is good, but you're really confined to the island, which is a nice place to relax. Not much else for the wife to do, though.

If you had more time, I'd recommend other places in PNG, especially Tawali, Walindi or Tufi.

Santo is now easier with direct flights from Brisbane, so no change to a small plane in Port Vila. Thats a good option, flying Solomon Airlines. Santo is a good dive destination, and the Coolidge is a must do dive. Other good spots there, and for relaxation I'd highly recommend Bokissa Eco Island. You can do day tours, etc from there to blue springs, Champage Beach, etc, which the wife might enjoy.

For a diver, I reckon PNG is the better overall, but the Coolidge is of course a must. For the wife, I reckon Santo is probably the better choice.

Bali is known for non-diving activities, but my understanding is that the good diving is on the opposite side of the island to the tourist/shopping areas.

Cheers

Des

 

[almitywife]

......To dive Loloata in PNG might be your logistically easiest choice, and provide great diving......

i have been told to get to Loloata abuot 20 times this year... so im making it a big push with hubby that thats our next place

cheers

 

[desparoz]

Its nice, but if you can, make the extra effort to go to either Uepi in the Solomons or Tawali in PNG.

These are my 2 favourites to date. Both fantastic locations for a diving holiday. I seem to recall mentioning that at Bare Island a while back.....

 

[almitywife]

....... I seem to recall mentioning that at Bare Island a while back.....

there are just too many islands to get to!!!