Six weeks in Asia

[Indah]

Weda Bay at the East Coast of Halmahera is excellent that time of the year. Weda Bay is actually the West part of the Halmahera Sea. We share this sea with Raja Ampat.

 

[All Star Liveaboards]

I have wrangled 6 weeks off from early December to mid Jan. I want to do one LOB and two resort locations. I enjoy macro a lot (photos, etc) but want to mix it up. Also, I’ll be in Asia over Xmas- I’m not a religious person at all, but I will be missing my family so I’d prefer not to be isolated. I will not have a limitless budget but I’m not backpacking either.

Thoughts so far:

- Raja Ampat LOB 12/13 days - could use recommendations
- Alor - have heard the currents are insane?
- Papua NG- any recommendations?
- Back to Lembeh for some macro
- could go do my rescue diver in Bali where I’ve been a few times now and love the Geko crew

Hive mind, give me your collective thoughts!!

EDIT: I have been to Bali several times and been to Padang Bai, Tulamben, Menjagan, Permuteran, etc. Ambon, Bunaken, Lembeh. Philippines: Puerta Galera, Anilao, Dauin, Bohol, Moalboal. Thailand just Phuket.

Maat1976

All Star Liveaboards has 2 different options during this timeframe. You mention having been to Puerto Galera & Anilao so it may not be of interest, but we have a Mindoro Strait itinerary 8day/7night that departs Anilao to Apo Reef, Puerto Galera, Verde Island and returns back to Anilao. The trip dates are December 1-8 and we have cabins starting at just $1,930 including nitrox and ground transfers from Manila.

The other option which may be too late is in Raja Ampat on a special Citizen Scientist - Manta Trust Expedition. The trip dates are January 8-19 and trip cost if $4,620.

If you are looking to do your rescue diver in Bali we would suggest the Atlantis International Bali.

For additional information you can visit our website or contact us at info@allstarliveaboards.com

 

[maat1976]

So I have some great ideas for RA LOBs now, thanks everyone.

After a bit of reflection, yes Philippines may be a better option for the rest of my time. I'm open to another LOB if it were somewhere like Palawan, but otherwise my preference is a bit of relaxed land based diving. I could easily spend another week at Buceo in Anilao. Any other recommendations? Malapasqua doesn't really appeal and Puerta Galera wasn't a fav. It doesn't have to be macro.

Thanks again!

 

[Centrals]

The best LOB trip in Philippines is Tubattaha which is only available from mid Mar to mid June.
Relaxed land based operation in Philippines: Southern Leyte(Sogod Bay). There are only a handful of dive operators around the area and Peter's is my recommendation.

 

[Dan]

I would recommend checking out Diveadvice.com for availability. Raja Ampat is great diving, but availability can be an issue. Amira is a great LOB, huge beautiful boat, great crew. I used them a couple of times in Raja.

I’ll be on it in January 2020.

 

[AlMitch]

Maat (which is mate or friend in Afrikaans)!! My fellow Singapore dwelling diver! Man how lucky are we to live in the middle of such amazing dive spots!
6 weeks off & a bit of cash to burn!!! Good going!

If I were in your shoes, I would hit RA by LOB and then stay another week in a resort...that way you get the best of both worlds. Then why not take Indah up on his offer and do a double wammy Lembeh + Weda. Although you may want to start in Lembeh then head to Weda then hop down to RA.
For a change of scenery then hop over to Aniloa and some other Philis spot.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Another vote for Raja Ampat during that time. I have great things to say about the Raja Ampat Aggressor. I do recommend doing the 10-11 night itineraries to catch central, south, and north.

Alternatively, you could do a Banda Sea liveaboard in Nov (schooling hammerheads!) then do land based in Raja Ampat after but you have to pick and choose the regions that you will be able to dive. Also, the Banda Sea crossings for Hammerheads tend to book out quite.

 

[maat1976]

Maat (which is mate or friend in Afrikaans)!! My fellow Singapore dwelling diver! Man how lucky are we to live in the middle of such amazing dive spots!
6 weeks off & a bit of cash to burn!!! Good going!

If I were in your shoes, I would hit RA by LOB and then stay another week in a resort...that way you get the best of both worlds. Then why not take Indah up on his offer and do a double wammy Lembeh + Weda. Although you may want to start in Lembeh then head to Weda then hop down to RA.
For a change of scenery then hop over to Aniloa and some other Philis spot.

What resorts would you recommend? This wasn't even something I thought of.

 

[AlMitch]

I have not stayed in any resorts in RA...but just search through the many threads on RA here on SB and there are numerous good reviews and suggestions...off the top of the hat Papua Explore gets lots of good reviews, another option on the cheaper side of things is RA Dive Resort. And there are numerous others around. Use da Google!

As for Lembeh...Divers Lodge Lembeh is great value especially if you do a double bill with their Weda resort. If you are keen on spending a few extra $ Black Sands Dive Retreat is amazing!! But you have done Lembeh before so you know the deal.

Enjoy the planning! That is half the fun!