Seeking Recommendations for 1st Big Dive Trip Anywhere in the World (10 Days+)

[mjarens]

My vote is for two weeks on the Palau Aggressor or their Dancer Fleet boat there. I booked a week on the PA, back when I had logged only 50 dives. Decided I should get some more experience under my dive belt before the Palau trip, so I did a repeat week on the Kona Aggressor and got my dives logged up over 75. It really made a difference for me, as my bouyancy skills improved the more I dives I logged. Two weeks before leaving for Palau, I decided that since it was costing so much money and considerable travel time getting there, I wanted to stay onboard for two consecutive weeks. Luckily there was still space available. So I did two weeks back-to-back on the Palau Aggressor. That still remains the most wonderful dive trip I've done to date. And I agree, liveaboard is the only way to go.

ps: I am also a solo female diver, traveling on my own around the world to dive. I've been to PNG (on a group trip), and agree with previous poster re: female traveling solo there - probably not the best idea.

 

[Texas.Crude]

A few people suggested Palau -- what's the best / cheapest way to get there? I'm pretty new to foreign travel and never seem to be able to find all the deals people are always talking about!

 

[Kevrumbo]

A few people suggested Palau -- what's the best / cheapest way to get there? I'm pretty new to foreign travel and never seem to be able to find all the deals people are always talking about!

Since you're right there in Houston, the most convenient way is starting at IAH with Continental/United (Continental Airlines - Airline Tickets, Vacations Packages, Travel Deals, and Company Information on continental.com), with stopovers in Honolulu and Guam. Continental-Micronesia used to be the only airline flying into Palau, but there are a few more now . . .but first look on the Continental website to see if they have any flight/hotel/diving special discount packages.

Otherwise, try shopping around with www.cheapoair.com

 

[StPeteDiver]

What is a good time of year to do a liveaborad in Palau?

 

[vladimir]

What is a good time of year to do a liveaborad in Palau?

From Undercurrent's Seasonal Dive Planner:

Air temperatures uniformly remain in the 80s year-round. For land travel, there's little difference between the wet and dry season, although January through March is considered the most comfortable season because of lower humidity and slightly cooler temperatures. Although visibility is slightly reduced by run-off during the July through October monsoons, the wind is also milder during this season, producing flatter seas. Water temperatures remain in the mid 80s year-round. Typhoons are most frequent between August and December but are rare in Palau.

 

[jake11]

We went on the Komodo Dancer with only about 60 dives under our belt! It was a FANTASTIC trip from start to finish!
I remember being nervous on the dive breifing for Batu Balong but it was an AWESOME dive and one of my all time favorites! You will have Gary Bevans looking after you on the Komodo Dancer and he is super safe and and an amazing diver. Top side was also great seeing all of the Komodo dragons. The crew would take fish heads over to shore and we would watch the dragons come down to chomp on them! I vote for Komodo! Go for it! We loved the Paradise Dancer too in Raja but for a first time trip I would go for Komodo!