Seeking suggestions for "best diving" + "most affordable" dive destinations!

[outofofficebrb]

Kinda worried about going to places like Raja, Komodo, etc., 'cause sounds like after diving locations there everything else will pale in comparison and I'll be ruined for life in terms of diving more easily accessible locations!

True story....

 

[Ministryofgiraffes]

Accurate

 

[Boglefish]

Just did a dive trip to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. I have to say I was quite impressed with the diving. I dove with Camel Divers and the daily trips, boat, food was quite good. Also very affordable. Will write trip report soon.

 

[GR8FUL]

Just did a dive trip to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. I have to say I was quite impressed with the diving. I dove with Camel Divers and the daily trips, boat, food was quite good. Also very affordable. Will write trip report soon.

Looking forward to reading your TR as I'm considering this exact same trip. Here's hoping "soon" is really soon, and that you list cost of major expenses (diving, accomodation, average cost of meals, etc.).

 

[diveUAE]

Having dived red sea north (Wrecks and Reefs), I would say, I'm not impressed. We saw NO sharks (as in zip, zero, none) - we were told it was very rare to see them. Viz was stunning though and reef looked healthy most places.

In Sudan we did see hammerheads, silky, grey and white tip reef sharks, so if going to red sea I would suggest go south.

But with 3-4 weeks? I'd head for Indonesia. It's true, everything else pales after R4, but it's worth it. If you don't want the hassle of going to R4, then do Bali/Komodo instead.

 

[Efka76]

I've got a ton of frequent flyer miles, so I can fly pretty much anywhere for free. I'm looking to go somewhere that has great (but affordable!) diving, and where the living expenses (food, lodging, etc) are also fairly affordable once I get there. FYI: My mode of travel is best described as "backpacker style", meaning I usually stay in guest houses versus hotels & resorts.

I can take off for 2-4 weeks at a time, so pretty much the world is my oyster. Where should I go to get the best value for my money? Philippines? Red Sea?

Past dive vacations:
Bonaire
Honduras (Utila & Roatan)
Curacao
Hawaii (Maui, Kauai, the Big Island)
Bali
Thailand (Ko Tao)
Philippines (MoalBoal & Palawan)
Mexico (Cozumel & Tulum)
Have done only one live aboard out of Cairns, Australia

I love drift dives, wall dives, night dives, and seeing bigger stuff. Not thrilled with wreck diving or seeing lots of small stuff.

I think you should try Puerto Galera, Philippines. I have not been in so many places as you but for me it was the best diving location. Diversity of sea creatures, very nice corals, plenty of fishes. Food in PG is quite cheap, diving as well (appr. USD 24-28) per dive. Definitely it is worth to visit it.

 

[Efka76]

Having dived red sea north (Wrecks and Reefs), I would say, I'm not impressed. We saw NO sharks (as in zip, zero, none) - we were told it was very rare to see them. Viz was stunning though and reef looked healthy most places.

In Sudan we did see hammerheads, silky, grey and white tip reef sharks, so if going to red sea I would suggest go south.

But with 3-4 weeks? I'd head for Indonesia. It's true, everything else pales after R4, but it's worth it. If you don't want the hassle of going to R4, then do Bali/Komodo instead.

I dived Brothers Islands (after one monyh shark has bitten chunk of diver leg and dite was closed) and Elphinstone. I really expected to see more fishes. Corals sre very healthy but almost empty. Yes, I saw sharks (hammerheads and oceanic white tip) but i prefer big school of fishes.

 

[broncobowsher]

Saw it mentioned above, I'll second it. Blackbeards in Bahamas. It's a week on a boat, camping on a boat. Good way to spend a cheap week diving. Good diving, not epic but still good. Won't spoil you for only the best in the world type of diving. Almost went back this year but had scheduling conflict.

 

[GR8FUL]

It just occurred to me that I should amend my initial post--yes I'm looking for good diving plus the most overall "bang for my buck" as it were, but as I'm traveling solo, a 3rd consideration would be a location where there were decent night-time options in terms of a variety of bars, restaurants, and other topside things to do besides diving. Though I've never been there, based upon what little I know I'm guessing that this last desire might move the Red Sea to the top position. Yes/no/maybe?

 

[outofofficebrb]

It just occurred to me that I should amend my initial post--yes I'm looking for good diving plus the most overall "bang for my buck" as it were, but as I'm traveling solo, a 3rd consideration would be a location where there were decent night-time options in terms of a variety of bars, restaurants, and other topside things to do besides diving. Though I've never been there, based upon what little I know I'm guessing that this last desire might move the Red Sea to the top position. Yes/no/maybe?

I immediately thought of Puerto Galera and Sabang. LOL. Lots of options there....Emphasis on the "other topside things to do".