Suggestions for a budget/Adventure diving trip

[alexxred]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has got any suggestions for a good places to go around the Pasific islands if I am on a backpacker budget. Would be looking at going for around 4 weeks and seeing/diving a few different spots. I live in Australia, so in terms of getting there I am well placed. I was thinking PNG, or Paulu (but I get the impression Paulu is expensive). I've got all my own gear so all I'd need to be hiring is tanks. Certainly don't mind roughing it or going somewhere off the beaten track. All the more fun if some of it was far flung and wild.

Cheers

Alex

 

[Mike Veitch]

I'd say Fiji would be your best choice. Lots of backpacker stuff around there. Palau is expensive.

 

[silent running]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has got any suggestions for a good places to go around the Pasific islands if I am on a backpacker budget. Would be looking at going for around 4 weeks and seeing/diving a few different spots. I live in Australia, so in terms of getting there I am well placed. I was thinking PNG, or Paulu (but I get the impression Paulu is expensive). I've got all my own gear so all I'd need to be hiring is tanks. Certainly don't mind roughing it or going somewhere off the beaten track. All the more fun if some of it was far flung and wild.

Cheers

Alex

Hello Alex, most of the best places will have high airfares-PNG, Palau-so if you are on a budget that might put them out of the running. PNG can be reasonable if you can get past the airfare and are willing to stay in guest houses. Get the Lonely Planet guide for more info on these places. Most of the best diving is done by liveaboard, which if you want to spend the most hrs in the water, can actually be a value. Some of the liveabords in the Pacific change itineraries seasonally, so if you want the best deal, look for transition trips btw the seasons. If your not on too tight of a schedule and are discrete, you might be able to cut a deal with a Capt./boat that is not full and departing soon.
Otherwise try Thailand or the Philippines. They both have many budget options for liveaboards and resorts. The LP guides are a good source of info. But be prepared- the reason why these places are cheap is because they are very developed and necessarily don't have the natural attractions they once did. I've been to Indo, Philippines and PNG and I can say that the best diving without any doubt was the least developed of the 3 and had the smallest population-PNG. It was also the most expensive. What a surprise. Good luck, -Andy

 

[Repetitive Diver]

Hi Alex

Would go along with previous comments - Palau a bit on the expensive side. Plenty of choices of liveaboards to the Similan islands in Thailand and Komodo in Indonesia but if you want adventure and far flung feeling then I would think about

Tui Tai - Fiji - an adventure cruise combining diving and lots of other activites.

Shakti - Raja Ampat - the budget way to dive the awesome waters of Raja Ampat, Irian Jaya - real prioneer diving.

Have fun.

 

[alcina]

Don't forget Bali - some excellent diving and pretty good value for money!

 

[AndyNZ]

To give you an idea of costs - my LDS did a trip to PNG last year, ten day liveabord worked out at around NZ$5000. A trip to Truk this year is priced at around NZ$6000. I've got a ten day trip to Vanuatu planned in June that will work out at NZ$3000. We looked at Fiji and that would have worked out slightly cheaper than Vanuatu. Tonga was another option that was quite cheap, but we finally got awayed by the diving on the Coolidge.

Depending on how you define "a backpacker budget", I'm not sure how good a time you'll have. The three big costs involved are the flight, accomodation and the diving. Sure, you can make a saving by staying in the cheapest accomodation available but the diving costs for a four week trip are going to be quite high!!