Where to go scuba diving in the world

[vigg1]

Hi!

Im considering going for a 3 weeks solo travel December with one week scuba diving.
Im seeking for as clear water as possible, and to dive with the biggest creatures as possible=)
Im a newbie but have AOW 30m license. Have been diving in Bali and Nusa Lembongan.

Cant decide where to go, but I have looked at;
- Cairns (GBR) but seems too pricey and December is not the best time
- Cancun, Mexico
- Indonesia (again) Nusa Penida or Komodo

Any other suggestions ?

Thx,

 

[Adelaar Cruises]

Bunaken and/or Bangka? It's rainy season, but the last 2 years there's hardly been any rain. Check out Murex Passport to Paradise Package. I think you can just do two islands, if you are not into "muck" diving. It's a good price, just a thought.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Not much in the way of big creatures at Bunaken and Bangka. Maldives is a big creature place but currents can be wicked.

Perhaps you should go to Cozumel, not Cancun and get some current practice. Then follow-up with a Maldives trip later.

It occurs to me you might be pretty satisfied at Belize too, especially around San Pedro. Sharks, groupers, turtles, moray eels.

 

[vigg1]

Thx for the replies
I might go back to Indonesia because of price even if its not top season for the sunfish

 

[chillyinCanada]

That's a good idea too. Get lots of diving in where you're comfortable and then hit up the big critter locales which are often for more experienced divers.

(how did Cancun get on your list?)

 

[vigg1]

Just heard good stuff about Mexico from co worker and friends regarding clear water - and best diving month is suppused to be December

 

[Diving Dubai]

Indonesia has a special place in my heart for diving, it's certainly the place I would recommend

Komodo certainly, and Raja Ampat too. For RA I've only experienced the Southern area near Misool, No shortage of big stuff and it kept us happy (my wife and I aren't really muck divers either) The Pelagics there are mostly Oceanic & Reef Manta's - one of the very few places in the world that both species mingle and are believed to be interbreeding

Maldives again great, I disagree with @chillyinCanada about the currents. Yes they have some but no worse that the OP has experienced in Bali

 

[chillyinCanada]

Are you sure they meant Cancun and not Cozumel?

 

[chillyinCanada]

DiveDubai, I'll grant you that not every dive in the Maldives is a ripper but this area has provided the most challenging currents that I have ever experienced in 22+ years of international diving. True, I haven't been everywhere but I have done around 100 dives in the Maldives.

I'm certainly not going to argue against diving in Indonesia. While I'm soon on my way to the Red Sea, it's actually the dive trip after that, that's making me all excited. My return to Indo diving!

Be that as it may, OP wants big things, the bigger the better! So far, dozens and dozens of sharks swimming right in front of me, heck, in place right beside me!, manta rays above and around and clipping me in the forehead, and accidentally finding myself completely astride a large nurse shark on a night dive have only happened in the Maldives . . .dive after dive after dive.

I'd go back but I'm into small things, uh, as it were.

 

[vigg1]

Im looking into a liveaboard from Labuan Bajo to Komodo for 4-5 days. But there are some warning regarding the currents. But I will dive with partner / instructor so i guess its kind of safe.