outstanding dive locations?

[JG109]

I'm going to start planning a retirement trip and looking for suggestions for a truly outstanding dive location that I have not been to yet.
I have dove the east coast of US, Nova Scotia, Mexico (Gulf and Pacific), Bahamas, Caribbean, Bonaire, Costa Rica (Pacific), Honduras, Cocos Island.
I was thinking Thailand/ Asia but nothing is fixed. Not looking for nightlife and 5 star not needed, just want great diving. Obviously, the less expensive the better!
Suggestions for great dive locations? Thank you

John
New Jersey, USA

 

[Doc]

Less expensive the better?

The Philippines.

 

[j2s]

Are you cavern/cave cert...???....If not take a course and try some of Florida's fresh water diving.....Have you done the Keys ????..

 

[Woodiver]

Three questions, are you into large stuff or critter’s and land based vs. liveaboard and want time of the year are you planning for your trip?
Philippines and Indo are hard to beat with critter’s and bio but aren’t known for pelagic fish for the most part. Our experience in the Philippines was mainly in macro areas but the macro was very good and you can do land based. We have been to a number of areas in Indo, some macro focused and other with a mix. Some areas can be land based but others are really liveaboard.
We just returned from a Komodo trip and the boat was loaded with Europeans who were only interested in pelagic action which was probably a mistake in them choosing Indo as a destination in the first place. We had white tips on most dives, mantas on six different sites with some sites having as multiple mantas (more than 6 on some sites), dolphins underwater and eagle rays at one site plus huge schools of fish on most sites. I thought the macro was lacking compared to other trips in Indo but this was because the boat was diving mainly reef sites vs. muck, at the requests of the clients.
Indo can be dived anytime during the year because it is so large. The boats move to Komodo during the summer/early fall and then move back to Raja. High season in the Philippines is early winter to late spring.

 

[JG109]

Philippines- any specific place/region/ Difficulty of getting there ?
Woodiver: large stuff vs critters, I like both but would like a destination w at least some big stuff.
I did Dos "Ojos" ?? cavern in PDC, wasn't crazy about it. I have been to the Keys many times (going in October) as well as Cozumel (December).
I'm leaning towards land-based, best guess would be end Feb/ March 2012, but that's totally flexible.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[Krazytomdiver]

I'm presently diving all around Cebu,Philippines (3 months/3 to go) and enjoying almost every 60+ dives so far. This place is exciting,affordable and the people are great. Dove over ten different islands with several more to go. The plus is the food/beverage/lodging are very reasonable IF you check around for a monthly stay & multiple dive discounts.

"living life without a hard bottom"
KT

 

[JG109]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Krazytomdiver: Is Cebu area primarily small stuff, big stuff or a mixed bag? Any internet sites/travel guides etc that go into detail?

 

[j yaeger]

fiji-punch up "dive kadavu"
you might become ex-pat

 

[guyon]

The very best diving I ever had was in PNG Papua New Guinea. It was a Mike Boyal livaboard, it was luxurious but serious diving. We did a 50m dive on a B17 bomber wreck, some muck diving and the reefs were pristine.

I have dived Philippines, Bali, Malaysia (Peninsula and Borneo), Med, Maldives, Mauritius, Thailand, they all have something special to offer, but PNG was a 5 star dive every dive... some days I did 7 dives not one less than 50 minutes. (Nitrox)

Mike Boyal (Boyle spelling?) is an Australian outfit, very professional staff.

 

[chinacat46]

The very best diving I ever had was in PNG Papua New Guinea. It was a Mike Boyal livaboard, it was luxurious but serious diving. We did a 50m dive on a B17 bomber wreck, some muck diving and the reefs were pristine.

I have dived Philippines, Bali, Malaysia (Peninsula and Borneo), Med, Maldives, Mauritius, Thailand, they all have something special to offer, but PNG was a 5 star dive every dive... some days I did 7 dives not one less than 50 minutes. (Nitrox)

Mike Boyal (Boyle spelling?) is an Australian outfit, very professional staff.

I think you mean Mike Ball and he no longer has a boat in PNG.