When the journey is as important as the dives

[poifromthebag]

I request some thoughts from the diving community I'm trying to decide on my next LOB destination and I'm suspecting that as unique as the dives are in various parts of Asia, they are still essentially similar. Let me explain my context:

I'm well into my middle age now. I've loved scuba since I got certified in my mid 20's, and have only dived casually averaging about 2 dives per year (usually Hawaii). Got AOW along the way and finally did my first live aboard 2 years ago. It was a long time coming and that trip gave me personal happiness I have not experienced in a very very long time. That trip brought me to Richelieu Rock but also gave me a few days on land in a place that I'd always dreamed of visiting; enjoying tours, food, local culture, strength of $, etc. I rarely get to do trips like this due to my home situation so I want to get the best joy for the rare opportunity.

So...

• if the Maldives, or Philippines, or Indonesia, or wherever is THAT much better because it's different, I'll go there.
• But if these locations are like (throwing out numbers) only a 10-20% difference; then the accompanying visit will make me return to Thailand for to do things I didn't get to the first time. I'll just do a different LOB itinerary. I've even been trying to learn basic functional Thai.

What I love about diving is just being amongst the amazing sea life. While I take a GoPro with me, photo/video is not a priority for me and capturing every variety isn't that important to me. The mental release from just being on a LOB seems less about the destination. Being amongst a whale shark would be amazing.

Are the other locations that different?

(I make my own decisions, but also do sanity/bias checks by discussing with others, hence this thread)

edit: ok Maldives looks pretty incredible/unique.

 

[Centrals]

My own experiences only. I am NOT a photographer but enjoy backpacking around the world. Yes, travelling is far more interesting than what I could see under water and it is a lot cheaper and rewarding.
In SE Asia, there is NO place that can beat Thailand in terms of culture, cuisines, EASE of travelling etc. Unfortunately the country is NOT blessed with great dive sites except Similan LoB.
Nov - Mar is also the time to travel around this part of the world ie. after the rainy season.
Boat journey from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang in Laos.

There is better LoB in other countries. But I would chose Thailand mainly because you can travel overland to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Malaysia is another option down south.
If you are going to Laos overland than you will need crispy new Greenback to pay for the visa! Greenback is King.
There is absolutely no need to stay in Phuket if the flight arrives even as late as early afternoon. Take the Orange Airport bus to Bus Terminal 1(B100.00) and then transfer to T2(B15.00). Still has time to catch the bus to Khao Lak and use it as base for LoB to Similan or the jungle of Khao Sok.

Whaleshark?
Southern Leyte in Philippines especially Jan - Mar. Only snorkeling is permitted. Oslob is a lot easier to get to but some peoples are totally against the "presentation of the show"!

 

[Damselfish]

I have not been to Thailand, though I wouldn’t mind seeing some of the country. I haven’t gone there for diving because my impression of the diving there is that it is largely crowded and not that special, with much of the appeal being its inexpensive. And yes, probably lots more interesting stuff to see and do on land than many places.

I’ve been on LOBs in Indo and Maldives, land based in Philippines, and a Tubataha LOB in the Philippines. I would say they have been very different from each other. Each of those are huge island nations, with a great variety of diving in different areas. There are certainly areas of PHL and Indo with interesting things to do and see, but by their nature things are spread out and more effort to get around. (The Maldives is an especially different beast.)

I would say the diving across the Caribbean better fits your description of not varying too much. There are variations, but it’s simply not the center of biodiversity. And things to do and see on the islands are more limited, though someplace like mainland Belize has lots. But I have certainly seen people fall in love with the first place they go and think it’s the best thing ever.

It really depends what your interests and priorities are.

 

[Centrals]

Two months visa free entry in Thailand.
Northern Laos and northern Thailand offer great opportunities to mingle with the local hill tribes. Just visit the local markets or travel in a local bus.

Plain of Jars in Laos as well as the bomb craters from the 60-70. Buying aluminium utensils made from bombshell. UXO is still an hazzard in Laos.

 

[diveUAE]

Agree: if you want good topside things Thailand is amazing.

Other places, where we’ve enjoyed the topside very much:

• Bohol, Philippines (no liveaboard, just day trips) The diving at Balicasag is somewhat similar to Similan, but with more frog fish (which I really like) - could combine with some diving and canyoning at Moalboal.
• Seychelles (again: no liveaboard).
• Bali - (no liveaboard)
• Galapagos (liveaboard, but also challenging dives, so not sure it’s within your comfort zone?)
• Oman - Muscat: day trip to Daymanyat islands, rent a car and explore the country side.
• Malaysia- (no liveaboard) even though there’s a lot of coral bleaching going on at Perhentian islands right now, it’s still beautiful and hopefully the reef will recover.
• Tanzania- (no liveaboard) Mafia or Pemba island for diving - Serengeti for safari.
• Red Sea - do a liveaboard, then travel to Cairo or check out some other interesting sites.
• Azores - day trips for diving, not as much to see under water as some of the other places - although we did dive with blue sharks and mobula rays - but topside was amazing.
• Iceland - the iconic dive at Silfra, but the diving at Strytan was really special and top side you have lot of things to do

Maldives has fantastic diving- not so much topside (actually nothing) but could combine with Sri Lanka.