Question Where to next - LOB + Relaxing

[mandy5858]

We are looking at a 50th birthday trip for my husband and I - we are flexible on timing, but thinking Fall 2026 - Winter 2026/7. We are "vacation divers," PADI AOW certified - probably 40 ish dives each. We are looking for a 10 day to 2 week trip originating from Minnesota, MN, USA. Places we've been diving/vacationing to give you a feel for what we like and where we've been. We don't need uber fancy, but we are too old to backpack/tent. Barefoot Manta in Fiji was probably as "basic" as we'd like to have. We don't mind airBnBs, we don't need all inclusive either.

• Maldives we stayed in an OWB at Ayada - it was all inclusive and diving was great!
• Zanzibar we got AOW certified here, staying at Kilindi - resort was top notch, diving our least favorite spot.
• Moorea airBnB + Bora Bora we stayed at Conrad OWB - Loved the vibe of Moorea, Bora Bora was extra fancy, diving OK, but not as good as Maldives or Fiji
• Fiji both Barefoot Manta and Navini Island - the diving at Barefoot Manta was my favorite of all time!
• Nusa Lembongan (Bali) - We did a manta dive here that was great, also island vibe at Nusa was awesome being able to walk the beach and bar hop.
• Curacao - Coral Estate up north - Diving in Curacao was good, our first diving in the Caribbean area.
• Grand Turk - airBnB - Diving was OK, vibe of island was A+ in that we biked everywhere with fun beach bars

Our list of locations include the following, and we'd love to try a LOB, BUT neither of us want to commit to a 7 day LOB, is there anything 3nights/4 days? We've done sailing trips in both Greece and Croatia, so we've spent extended time on a boat with strangers, but its always a toss up. Also, we don't want the vacation to be 100% dive centered. Lets start with a 10K budget, not including airfare - thoughts on the below ideas:

• Palau or elsewhere in Philippines
• Back to Bali + Raja Ampat?
• Seychelles - diving any good there?
• Mozambique - Anantara resort looks awesome
• Egypt / Red Sea - hubby is Egyptian and hasn't been back since early 2000's
• Back to Fiji (other islands)
• Belize - for some reason just doesn't seem exotic enough
• Back to Moorea + Fakarava

Thanks in advance for reading this far! Excited to hear answers.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @mandy5858

I guess due to your experience level, I do not see any of the great sites in the eastern Pacific listed, Galapagos, Cocos, Revillagigedos, Malpelo. Maybe later.

 

[mandy5858]

Hi @mandy5858

I guess due to your experience level, I do not see any of the great sites in the eastern Pacific listed, Galapagos, Cocos, Revillagigedos, Malpelo. Maybe later.

Hi @scubadada - sorry, I didn't know how to read your message - are you implying that these locations are better suited for more advanced type divers? If so, then yes, we will keep these locations on our radar for a later date.

 

[Johnoly]

We are "vacation divers," PADI AOW certified - probably 40 ish dives each.

With the number of dives you have, most people start to develop a “bucket-list” of animals or U/W structures they want to see like a wreck, wall dive, or Kelp. So name the 2 animals that are at the top of your list. After that when not diving,, are you bar & foodie people or hammock & bookworms?? Rarely do divers go on a liveaboard and stay in their room the whole trip, but a hotel room is different. It will help others offer suggestions that will narrow down your choices.

 

[Centrals]

Thailand.
Few days in Bangkok, fly down to Phuket and immediately board the LoB for Similan and Richelieu Rock. The Rock must be included in the itinerary. Stay on Khao Lak after the trip and explore Khao Sok if you still has any spare time. Avoid Phuket except the airport.

 

[mandy5858]

With the number of dives you have, most people start to develop a “bucket-list” of animals or U/W structures they want to see like a wreck, wall dive, or Kelp. So name the 2 animals that are at the top of your list. After that when not diving,, are you bar & foodie people or hammock & bookworms?? Rarely do divers go on a liveaboard and stay in their room the whole trip, but a hotel room is different. It will help others offer suggestions that will narrow down your choices.

Hi! I guess I'd say hammerhead shark or some other more exotic type - and seahorses - I probably just named two of the furthest apart animals, but lets see. I'd say I lean more bar/foodie/social, while hubby is OK to just lay in hammock and watch the world go by. Turtles and mantas are always fun, so heavy on that is good for us too. I should also add that before this 50th Bday trip, we are headed to Bonaire in Jan 2026 and the Exhumas in April 2026. Is there anything great to dive in Exhumas?

 

[mandy5858]

Add to that dolphins and whales - so Hammerhead, Dolphins, Seahorse, Whales!
Also, while I know this is a dive focused message board, this trip is equal parts diving but also want a great vacay vibe.

 

[mandy5858]

Thailand.
Few days in Bangkok, fly down to Phuket and immediately board the LoB for Similan and Richelieu Rock. The Rock must be included in the itinerary. Stay on Khao Lak after the trip and explore Khao Sok if you still has any spare time. Avoid Phuket except the airport.

Looking at those LOBs - we've been to Bangkok and Krabi, but that was prior to us being divers, so thanks for the intel!!!

 

[Johnoly]

Hi! I guess I'd say hammerhead shark or some other more exotic type.... I'd say I lean more bar/foodie

Like you mentioned before....Fiji sounds about right for you. The Nai'A liveaboard is a bucketlist trip and your friends will all love the pictures of the boat & sea life. It gets booked up but gets rave reviews from everyone here..
If you want to do a quick & cheap weekend trip to see big loggerhead turtles & plenty of sharks next summer, plan a trip to Jupiter Florida in the middle of June.

 

[rmorgan]

I don’t know what the numbers look like, but the ScubaSpa boats are, I think, about, well, scuba and spa. As to 3-4 days, I think Mike Ball does trips like that in Australialia.