SE Asia/Pacific in October?

[rasmus1974]

Hi,

I am between jobs and will have October off. I was thinking of going to South East Asia to do maybe two weeks of diving. Either in the same spot or at two rather close destinations.

Would anybody know where the "best" diving would be at this season?
My preferences are: not too crowded, possibility of seeing big pelagics and I like the feeling when the dive sites are surrounded by deep waters.

I would be willing to pay for something really good , but would only go to a real expensive destination if the season is the right.

Any advice is more than welcome.

Thanx
Rasmus

 

[jasondcrawford]

Are you looking to stay at a resort? A hut? Are you interested in doing a liveaboard? Going by yourself?

 

[rasmus1974]

Are you looking to stay at a resort? A hut? Are you interested in doing a liveaboard? Going by yourself?

I will be going by myself. For the rest, I am just after the option that gives me the best diving (which in many cases would be a liveaboard, i guess).

 

[Kevrumbo]

Look into Andaman Sea/Phuket/Thailand for starters (best bargain dive vacation in SE Asia for the US Dollar, IMO); Beginning of high season for the Similans is October. . .

 

[robint]

For ME, I would do this: http://www.aggressor.com/subpage4.php
Fiji Aggressor, incredible deeper diving with big animals and small animals, easy as a single diver, easy to get to from LAX, watch the video there if you don't know much about it...

I wouldn't necessarily recommend SE Asia in Oct as I think it is their rainy season. Not bad diving from what I have been told, but still affects vis, etc.
If you don't care, then I would look here: www.palauscuba.com (we are doing this same trip in Dec)
deep dives, shark dives, manta dives, blue holes, WWII wreck dives, cavern dives, reef dives... all on one trip!

 

[namabiru]

Mmm... rainy season is earlier in the year. Now, you should know that the high season is during the winter, for the most part. So if you go in October you'd be hitting just before high season starts. I'm just letting you know, so you can get to booking accommodation, etc.

How would you feel about going to Thailand, or to Malaysia Borneo?

Here is what you can do:
Choose a hub--say, Bangkok, or Singapore, or KL.

Choose a destination, say Phuket.

If you hate it there, pack your gear and move to somewhere else. You can do this by flight, bus, whatever.

Point being if you choose a hub, you know you can get back to that place in a day in the end. There is *always* a road leading to Singapore, or to Bangkok, or to KL. Be it flying on Air Asia, going by minibus, or getting on the train. Thailand's so well-organized anyway for travel. I don't recommend using Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh for this. Nor should you use Hong Kong. Use the 3 I mentioned for best results.

If you have more queries, shoot.

 

[Wisnu]

Indonesia : Raja Ampat, Pulau Weh Aceh, Komodo, Alor, Derawan, Sangalaki, Wakatobi, Manado / Bunaken, Lembeh and Bali - all are great diving.
A week before and after Hari Raya (moslem Festive day) Oct. 13 - will be peak season in most part of Indonesia.

 

[Arizona]

For ME, I would do this: http://www.aggressor.com/subpage4.php
Fiji Aggressor, incredible deeper diving with big animals and small animals, easy as a single diver, easy to get to from LAX, watch the video there if you don't know much about it...

I wouldn't necessarily recommend SE Asia in Oct as I think it is their rainy season. Not bad diving from what I have been told, but still affects vis, etc.
If you don't care, then I would look here: www.palauscuba.com (we are doing this same trip in Dec)
deep dives, shark dives, manta dives, blue holes, WWII wreck dives, cavern dives, reef dives... all on one trip!

Robint,

The Palau trip looks amazing. I am chancing the Similans the end of October. As I live in Thailand and don't have the long flight, I think its worth the risk. Do let us know how your December trip goes.

Does anyone know the best way to fly to Palau via Bangkok?

Arizona

 

[Kevrumbo]

Get to Cebu or Manila Philippines by any major carrier with a good & convenient flight deal. Try Asian Spirit Airlines using Manila as a hub to Koror. Might be less expensive than flying out to the Guam Hub using Continental Micronesia. . .