Planning Trip to Asia Feb/Mar 2018: Recommendations?

[joe8mofo]

So I was considering a 1 week trip in Feb/Mar to Roatan; but given that I can fly to Indonesia/Malaysia/Maldives/etc for the same or less money from Atlanta I have decided that a first trip to Asia makes more sense.

It is insane that flying to the caribbean is often the same as flying to Asia (at least from Atlanta).

I am looking for specific recommendations for places to stay as well as diving for this region and time of year.

Right now it looks like it will by my wife, myself, and 2 diving friends. Nitrox would be a plus.

 

[Luko]

What are you looking for dive wise? Maldives and Philippines are almost opposite in terms of diving
which kind of traveling (budget, comfort)? Some side activities or hardcore diving only?
Asia is a vast continent, you know.
Are you considering end of march or even April? this period opens up a larger choice of spots.

 

[joe8mofo]

What are you looking for dive wise? Maldives and Philippines are almost opposite in terms of diving
which kind of traveling (budget, comfort)? Some side activities or hardcore diving only?
Asia is a vast continent, you know.
Are you considering end of march or even April? this period opens up a larger choice of spots.

As far as diving looking for reefs or walls; not too particular as long as there is reef and fish. How are the Maldives and the Philippines opposite in terms of diving?

Traveling: Would like to get to destination as quickly as possible for the lowest possible cost.

Side activities: not a necessity

The amount of choice I have for a trip to Asia seems overwhelming; just going through the airport list and looking at pricing takes a ton of time.

I would be open to end of march or early april if I need to be.

 

[Luko]

Ok then I'll list the destinations that would be easy to access in Feb-April.

Philippines in feb
Manila MNL airport + a few hours car ride : Anilao (mostly macro and a few reefs, may be not your favorite thing),
Cebu city CEB airport + a few hours ride Moalboal, excellent walls plus a sardine run a week long may be longish for Moalboal, if you take a ferry from Cebu you get to Panglao/Alona, a bit of everything, coral dives, macro, walls.

Indonesia better go in april
Bali DPS airport + few hours ride, Tulamben for a mix of macro and corals dives, from Padang bai you can access to Nusa Peida, excellent coral dives and manta rays.
Manado MDO Airport i a week time you can couple Bunaken and Bangka, walls, coral reefs, lots of bidiversity.

Malaysia march april
KUL airport then domestic flight to TWU then car ride then speed boat : Sipadan, excellent wall dives, lots of schooling fish

Thailand feb march
Phuket HKT airport : liveaboards to Siimilan islands, okay clear water, corals, but too many divers and not the best in SEA.

Maldives feb march
Male MLE airport - island resorts, can be expensive, blue water drift dives with lots of sharks and similar reef fish while not very impressive with corals.

 

[joe8mofo]

Ok then I'll list the destinations that would be easy to access in Feb-April.

Philippines in feb
Manila MNL airport + a few hours car ride : Anilao (mostly macro and a few reefs, may be not your favorite thing),
Cebu city CEB airport + a few hours ride Moalboal, excellent walls plus a sardine run a week long may be longish for Moalboal, if you take a ferry from Cebu you get to Panglao/Alona, a bit of everything, coral dives, macro, walls.

Indonesia better go in april
Bali DPS airport + few hours ride, Tulamben for a mix of macro and corals dives, from Padang bai you can access to Nusa Peida, excellent coral dives and manta rays.
Manado MDO Airport i a week time you can couple Bunaken and Bangka, walls, coral reefs, lots of bidiversity.

Malaysia march april
KUL airport then domestic flight to TWU then car ride then speed boat : Sipadan, excellent wall dives, lots of schooling fish

Thailand feb march
Phuket HKT airport : liveaboards to Siimilan islands, okay clear water, corals, but too many divers and not the best in SEA.

Maldives feb march
Male MLE airport - island resorts, can be expensive, blue water drift dives with lots of sharks and similar reef fish while not very impressive with corals.

Thank you for the advice!